IRISH PEASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1921, Page 5

IRISH PEASE.

REPLY FROM DE VALERA. NOT THE FINAL ANSWER. DEBATE IN THE LORDS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 27. The Central News states that De Valera has sent an interim reply to the Cabinet to-day. It is not the final answer, but is incidental to the negotiations. It is underi stood it is less favorable than anticipated. . i It is stated in Dublin that De Valera is I unlikely to send a reply to Mr. Lioyd 1 George this week. The explanation given ■ is that De Valera desires to consult his ! colleagues. This is impossible while 35 ■ members of the Dail Eireann are impnsI oned. It is understood the release of these I would have been ordered if De Valera had i expressed such a wish. 1 Replying to a question in the House of Lords. Lord Birkenhead said an opportunity would be given for the expression of opinions on the Irish settlement proposals before Parliament prorogued. Matter was contained in the proposals which wo*dd unquestionably be much discussed. If Ireland accepted the proposals the Government would either meet with the necessary support in Parliament or would consider whether the necessary support was likely to be forthcoming elsewhere. Lord Salisbury, seeking a statement about Ireland, said he was opposed to indefinite delay, as it might be believed that we approved the method pursued, whereas we feel great shame is involved in the negotiations. He was only awaiting an official statement in order to make the position clear.

Lord Birkenhead, replying, said he was puzzled over the reference to shame. He did not know for whom Lord Salisbury spoke. He and all his Unionist colleagues were utterly unconscious of shame either in the negotiations or in the terms offered. AN ILLEGAL PENALTY. London, July 27.

An important judgment was given by the Chancery Division in Dublin, the Mas--1 ter of the Rolls ordering a writ of Habeas Corpus to deliver the body of Joseph Egan, sentenced to death for being in possession of ammunition. The judge said that Egan had been tried by a military court constituted in some way unknown to the law by military officers. This court had no legal status whatever, and the penalty awarded had nut the of English law. AVOIDING FRICTION. London, July 27. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, whether the Government was ; aware that Mr. De Valera was captured lin Dublin on J”ne 22, and that a report !of the ambush of British soldiers at Drumi condra was found upon him, Mr. Chamberlain said the Government w*as fully aware of all documents found on De Valera when he was arrested, but they did not propose to publish tiie results of the examination of such papers.