SINN FEIN’S REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1921, Page 5

SINN FEIN’S REPLY.

DEBATING THE TERMS.

REJECTION UNLIKELY.

A HOPEFUL SIGN.

By Talegraph.—Press Assn.-Copyright.

Received August 23, 8.20 p.m.

London, August 23.

The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Express reports that the secret consideration of the peace proposals by the Dail Eireann is being continued. Though nothing has thus far transpired to indicate the trend of the discussion, the public is hopeful owing to the calling of a meeting of the High Council, which is the executive body of Sinn Fein, and it is expected the council will declare against complete rejection of the proposals. Australia, New Zealand and American influence is being brought to bear in favor of peace. De Valera is receiving a great number of cablegrams from the Dominions. The Dublin correspondent of the Daily News says that at the eleventh hour the Sinn Fein executive changed its plans, instead of presenting a draft reply and putting it through the Dail Eireann. After a few hours’ discussion a delay became necessary, as they found a large number of members were anxious to speak. Moreover, there have been difficulties in drafting, at least one finished draft being discarded at the last moment, with the result that no formal document has yet been submitted to the Dail Eireann.

A Sinn Fein official bulletin, issued last night, says: “The speeches of the British Premier and Cabinet Ministers cannot be allowed to pass without comment. The position appears to be that Ireland is to surrender the right of self-determination and receive as a substitute Home Rule, with permanent submission to the British Parliament. We do not for a moment believe this to be the last word of the British Government. The Irish people do not want a renewal of war, but will face a renewal without hesitation in order to preserve their national honor.”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A BOMB OUTRAGE. SINN FEIN CONVENTION CALLED. London, August 22. An unknown man threw a bomb in Tyrone Street, Belfast, on Sunday evening and injured six people, including a girl named Flanigan, aged twenty, who is not expected to recover. The street was crowded with children, who were playing. When the bomb was thrown, there was a terrific explosion, followed by agonising cries from the injured children, who were struck by the fragments. The explosion shattered windows. The bomb thrower escaped. The Star’s Dublin correspondent states that the National Convention of the Sinn Fein organisation has been summoned for to-morrow, which is taken to indicate that the Dail Eireann is not willing to shoulder the responsibility for accepting or rejecting the terms.

THE DAIL EIREANN. London, August 22. A secret session of the Dail Eireann woe held in Dublin. There was a full attendance. There were subdued demonstrations as prominent members arrived, but a complete absence of the wild enthusiasm exhibited on previous days. A public session will be held on Friday, when the reply to the British offer will be tabled.