IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1920, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS.

STEPS TOWARDS PEACE, iS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. Br Teletripb.—rreu Aan>-Ct>pnttht "London, August 24. Thejtri&h Peace Conference has opened Ift Dublin. It is largely attended by Irish peers and prominent industrial representatives. The members are chiefly Nationalists »d Southern Unionist* A number ue influential mot, bat they attended m individuals Without maadatee. IATd MacDonuell moved the principal resolution in favour' of full" selfgovenunent, with adirf list ratios, fiscal and financial independence And special treatment for Ulster. Another resolution fas also carried Miibf "the Government to adopt a pottey of tmmerty in order to secure • more favourable atmosphere. Received August 26, 7.86 p.m. London, Auugst 25. Lord French moved that the policy of the Government is tending to civil war, and tut it is ef paramount importance thfcfc immediate steps be taken to secure VWCf. He added that the reconquest of IMa&d means the destruction of, whatever property is left, and declared {that those calling, for military intervention -were calling for the assagsinafiofe of tlie nation. resolution was adopted. Sir Horace Plunkett declared that the conference was ready to accord ninetenth' of the Sinn Feaners' demands. During a discussion on the Dominion {tone Rule system for Ireland, Mr. BHBlley Harrington urged that three mediating statesmen should' be .chosen from Australia, Ne£ Zealand and CanIda. —Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

mayor hunger striker. PREIiIER'S ANSWER TO APPEAL. GOVERNMENT'S FIRM ATTITUDE. Received August 26, 7.55 p.m. London, August 25. Replying to an appeal from a sister of the Lord Maypr of Cork, asking for his release and stating that if he is allowed to die his relatives and the people of Ireland would hold the . Government sponsible for murder, Mr. Lloyd titorge telegraphed expressing his profound regret at the pain inflicted on thfr tister bv her brother's determination to starve himself, but it was impossible tto the Government to make any ex- * teption in this ease. If it did so, it Would bmk down the administration of the hAr, a* all prisoners claim (the ikfete privilege. •The Premier also tissued a statemeht emphasising the foregoing views, and podntrng out that the recent release of hunger strikers in Ireland was folrafted by outburst of crnel murder land outrage, without a protest from the Stlitioal organisation to which the Lord ayor belonged. . The Jtamier declared that the very fcrime of which - McSweeney was convicted indicated that he was concerned In a conspiracy against the eonctabular, whom it was the first duty of the Government to protect. He concluQg tint every invitation £c the Irish VatioaajjUts to discuss a peaceable eefttewetit bad been spurned, and the Govetßlnent's latest offer made in Parliament at tiie- date of the adjournment was' scornfully rejected. "We are driven to fight against the claim for the comfriefe secession of Ireland. North and 6otith, frojn the Empire; this claim we ca& . never .recognise." concluded Mr fjloyi George.—Reuter Service. London, August. 24. Several thousand Sinn Fein sympathibttt gathered outside Brixton prison in connection with the Lord Mayor of Cork, who i« said to be dying. They "booed" the Government apd made ugly rashes oh the police, who used their batons IreeqT. A number of arrests were

tnade.' Fhlld Dublin Castle it is denied that (the cimstabnlaty showed a want of discipline. It is etjil&ined that the meeting at Dublin barracks was confined to Expressions of indignation at the assassination of comrades.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable liuft.

SINN FEIN THREATS. CA&INET MINISTERS GUARDED. Received August 26, 2.30 p.m. London, August 25. In view at the Sinn Fein threats of the transfer of teftor to England if MoSnyeehey dies, members of Cabinet are specially guarded by the police, and Jhefr houses are watched. Mr, Lloyd George was also Well guarded (hiring h\s visit to the Continent, in iview of tlie recent threats against bis iife<*-T(mes Service. RIOTING OUTRAGES. London, August. 24. Rioting ft Lisbnrn continued throughtout the night. The military police were unable to cope with the situation. InIcendiariem was resumed this morning end Several building? are aflame. A man Was burned to death during the destruction <pf a boot factory. The damage is estimated at half a million. It is believed that expert gun-men froft America are responsible for many of the recent ptflice murders in Ireland, including that of Inspector Swanzy.— !Au*-KZ. Cable Assn.