IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1920, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

MARTIAL LAW SUGGESTED. VICEROY'S FIRM ATTITUDE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—CopyrightReceived Jan. 27, 3.10 p,m. Paris, Jan. 27. Lord French, interviewed by Le Journal, said all Irishmen must not be condemned, because there were individuals who attempted to assassinate him. He attributed the principal cause of the trouble to the fact that emigration had been stopped for five years, and young men, having refused to serve their country in war time, to-day felt shame for their abstention and imagined their exploits made them heroes, whereas they were only braggarts. Order would be restored or martial law proclaimed, but this could only be done as a last resource, because, however leniently and efficaciously it was applied, it would leave a legacy of bad memories and irritation. A beginning would, therefore, be made by suppressing the instigators of outrages. It was his duty to restore order in Ireland, and he would not fail to do so—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SMUGGLING ARMS. LOAN TO ASSIST~A REPUBLIC. Received Jan. 27, 9.50 p.m. London, Jan. 27. The Daily News says that two thousand rifles were smuggled ashore on the County Clare coast recently, and successfully distributed. The authorities have failed to trace the weapons. The position in Clare is regarded as serious. The Sinn Feiners' Republican Loan realised £1,500,000 in Ireland, and £4,500,000 in Cable Assn.

A HOPELESS TANGLE. TWO IMPOSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. London, Jan. 26. The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Express says that the British Labor mission is amazed at the hope< less tangle prevailing in Ireland. They met Mr. Griffiths, acting-president of the Sinn Fein Republic, and several members of the socialised Cabinet. They also interviewed southern Unionists, Rationalists and Laborists, andi learned from all sides that the issue is Uncompromisingly all or nothing. There must either be union backed up by the fullest military force, or complete republican independence. The mission regards either solution as impossible. The Labor Party certainly will not take up republicanism, but it is inclined to think that Mr. Lloyd George's scheme for a dual Parliament only a waste of time. The mission probably will advocate* a wide scheme of Home Rule on lines of the Dominion administrations, with county option, coupled with an ambitious plan for an industrial revival.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

RESTRICTIONS REMOVED. Received Jan. 27, 2.40 p.m. London, Jan. 26. A proclamation withdraws the restrictions on meetings, including fairs, markets and processions in South and North Tipperary, and a portion of County Galway. The proclamation warns the populace that the restrictions will be re-imposed if necessary.—Aus.-N./. Cable Assn.