IRISH UNREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1921, Page 5

IRISH UNREST.

SEEKING A SOLUTION.

FIRST PRACTICAL STEP.

CONFERENCE WITH DE VALERA.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 5. Sir James Craig, the Ulster leader, met De Valera in Dublin, and afterwards summoned an emergency meeting of the Ulster Unionists to discuss the situation. The conference was informal and the respective viewpoints of both parties were interchanged. The meeting is regarded as the mostimportant event and the first practical step toward a permanent solution of the Irish crisis, especially after De Valera’s recent statement hinting that he would consider devolution in Home affairs. Sir James Craig called an urgent meeting of the Ulster Unionist Party for to-mor-row.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received May 6, 5.5 p.m. London, May 5. Lord Fitzalan (the new Viceroy) has made a dramatic beginning of the Viceroyalty, as the between Sir James Craig and De Valery was due to his initiative, Lord Derby assisting materially in the preliminaries for the interview.

A belief current in political circles is that Sir James Craig and De Valera can reach a settlement, unless Michael Collins is the real head of Sinn Fein, as some believe, De Valera being the head of the intellectual group. Sinn Ffcin is believed to be ready to accept a settlement baaed on fiscal autonomy, and, as the Government foreshadowed, the possibility of a settlement seems open. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

WHY PEACE IS LIKELY.

DE VALERA’S DIFFICULT TASK. “GOT THE WIND UP.” Received May 6, 7.40 p.m. London, May 6. The Morning Post says there is little doubt that De Valera has “the ;wind up” and his last proclamation is touch less truculent. Three thousand Sinn Fein stalwarts have been imprisoned, and twelve thousand' are on the run in the south and the west. De Valera is after modified Home Rule, with full autonomy for loyalists in the six counties.

Sir James Craig is one of the shrewdest brains in the United Kingdom, and De Valera will get little change of such an antagonist. Lord Fitzalan is now in London, and he saw,Sir Hamar Greenwood (Chief Secretary for Ireland). Lord Fitzalan previously gave an audience to Sir James Craig.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CROWN STORES FIRED. HEAVY DAMAGE INVOLVED. London, May 5. A large force of armed civilians raided the steam packet stores, removed a large shipment of motor tyres consigned to the Royal Irish Constabulary, threw petrol over them and burnt them.. The fire spread to stores containing valuable merchandise, which was totally destroyed. The damage was £40,000.