IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1921, Page 5

IRELAND.

THE CORK FIRES. THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY. ATTACKED BY THE TIMES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Feb. 17. The Times, in a leader, says that the Premier, in his speech on Ireland, attempted to brazen out a situation that defied satisfactory explanation from the first. There is little doubt that the burnings in Cork were due to the Crown forces, and the Irish administration must bear the stain of a lasting disgrace that cannot fail to react on the good repute of England. The authors of the present policy of the administration are directly blameable for 'connivance rendering the burning of Cork possible. Their offence morally is not less grave than that of the criminals who actually perpetrated arson.

The present administration has long since forfeited all claim to public confidence either in its desire or its ability to maintain the high traditions of the British Government. The speech is nothing less than a confession of failure in Irish policy. The path to truce negotiations through Archbishop Clune was the right path, but it appears to have been deliberately blocked at the critical moment. Is it not possible for it to be re-opened? BRIDGES BLOWN UP. DE VALERA CRITICISES TROOPS. Condon, Feb. 17. All the bridges within an eight-mile radius of Skibberneen were completely destroyed during the night by powerful explosives. Similar outrages occurred in Bantry and elsewhere in Cork county. The military commandeered men in the district and compelled them to repair the bridges. De Valera has addressed a letter to all British members of Parliament accusing the troops in Ireland of torturing prisoners, assassinating men and boys, murdering women and children, outraging women and girls, flogging civilians, enforcing crawling and other degrading orders, and forcing men to work in slave gangs. The official account of the Mourne Abley affair states that a patrol surprised two men digging up a road, and proceeded to arrest them. They discovered 40 civilians in ambush. The latter were intercepted, and eight killed; others were seen to fall. THE MALLOW SHOOTINGS. INQUIRY TO BE HELD. • London, Feb. 16. O’Hara and Myers, of the Royal Irish Constabulary, pleaded guilty at a court-martial at Waterford to eight charges of larceny. The police gave evidence that accused admitted robberies of money and jewellery during raids on various houses. Answering a question in the House of Commons, Sir Hamar Greenwood informed Mr. Thomas that the inquiry into the Mallow shootings was proceeding. Interested parties, including the Railwaymen’s Union, could be legally represented. He would not give a pledge that the findings would be published. ARCHBISHOP CLUNE. Fremantle, Feb. 18. Archbishop Clune, who arrived by the Osterley, emphatically denied that the interviews regarding the Irish position? cabled to Australia before he left Britain, had taken place. In one alleged interview with Mr. Lloyd' George the supposed questions and ‘ answers were cabled. The report was entirely without foundation. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WAR ON CROWN FORCES. Received Feb. 18, 11.35 p.m. Londofi, Feb. 17. Answering questions in the House of Commons, Sir Hamar Greenwood said fifty-six members of the Crown forces in Ireland had been assassinated since December 22. During December and January forty members of the Crown forces were killed and 129 wounded.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.