IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 September 1920, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS.

EXTENSION OF CONTROL, PREPARATIONS FOR TROUBLE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 15, 11.5 p.m. London, Sept. 14. The official announcement that the Government intends to enrol and arm well-disposed citizens in Ireland, and also to appoint a special Under-Secretary with headquarters in Belfast to administer six Ulster counties, has intensified the general anxiety. It is regarded in some quarters as a partisan act, but Government circles claim that the fullest defensive preparations must be made in view of the effect of hunger-strikers' deaths on an excited nation, a large portion of which are already armed. The Government intends to use volunteers to police the quieter districts, releasing police and troops for the more troubled areas. Volunteers will be restricted to the areas in which they reside. —United Service, DIVIDING THE COUNTRY. IRISH PRESS ALARMED. Received Sept. 15, 10.35 p a. London, Sept. 15. The proposed formation of armed citizens' corps in Ireland is much debated. The Government's idea is to put the restoration and preservation of order in Irish hands as largely as possible, and to form an auxiliary force to assist the police. The Irish Times is alarmed at the prospect, and says this will mean complete marshalling of Ireland into two armed camps. Catholics assert that only Carsonites will enrol to assist the Government. —Aus;-N.Z. Cable Assn. "IS AUTHORITY MAD?" IRISH NEWSPAPER'S ATTACK. Received Sept. 15, 8.20 p.m. London, Sept. 14. The report stating that officers' wives is Ireland had been ordered to return to England is officially denied. Commenting on the announcement that well-disposed citizens would be enrolled to assist the authorities, the Irish News asks: "Are the Government mad! The Government have set themselves the task of destroying the Irish nation, and apparently the beginning of the end has arrived for half a million Catholics in Ulster."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POLICY OF MILITARISM. LEADING MEN'S PROTEST. Received Sept. 15, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 13. The Times publishes a letter signed by thirteen distinguished intellectuals and publicists, including Sir Philip Gibbs, Mr- H. G. Wells, Mr. John Masefield, and Professor Gilbert Murray, protesting against militarism in Ireland. The letter says that a sort of lynch law is in force, and is applied not only to culprits, but to villages and towns. Soldiers and police are making indiscriminate reprisals for the murders of police, and the Government has failed to restrain or punish them, while it has now issued an order forbidding coroner's inquests in nine counties, thus removing the last vestige of protection from the civilian population.—Times Service. DEALING WITH ULSTER PROBLEMS London, Sept. 14. An additional assistant Under-Secre-tary for Ireland is about to be appointed, with office in Belfast, who'will deal with all problems arising in the six counties oinCwter. An announcement will shortly be made with reference to the enrolment of well-disposed citizens to assist the authorities.—AusN.Z. Cable Assn. THE HUNGER- STRIKERS. London, Sept. 14. This is the thirty-fifth day of the hunger-strike in Cork gaol. Friends of Hennesay, a youthful hunmade a protest that he was guiltless and could prove an alibi if be chose to answer the charge. General Willis held a midnight court and secured some evidence regarding Hennessy'a innocence, though the friends generally refused to appear before the court-martial-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. : SINN FEIN FUNDS. 1 0 London, Sept. 14. A Sinn Fein balance-sheet, prepared by the "frish Republic Finance Minister," states:—"Although we have heard of (ionsidorable sums being in the handß of our friends in Australia for the selfdetermination fund, we have not yet received any money from Australia, exv i cept £175 from three West Australian' individuals."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.