IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

KEPLY FROM BRITAIN. NOT TILL NEXT WEEK. HOPE FOR CONFERENCE, By Taiegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 22, 8.30 pm, London, Sept. 22. The Daily News special correspondent at Gairloch states that Mr. Lloyd George does not intend to reply to Mr. De Valera’s latest message till next week, and hopes for an early conference. The National Liberal Federation executive passed a resolution strongly supporting the offer of a Dominion status to Ireland, as Mr. Asquith proposed in 1919, and urging that no rigid adherence to disagreements over the preliminary forms of words be allowed to obstruct an immediate conference, which, it believes, if convened would be conducted with goodwill, and would result in Ireland becoming a contented, self-governing unit within the British Commonwealth.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ATTITUDE OF SINN FEIN. FEELING OF SUSPICION. THE ONUS ON BRITAIN. Received Sept. 22, 9.15 p.m. London, Sept. 21. The Daily Chronicle’s Dublin correspondent had an interview with Mr. Griffiths (a Sinn Fein leader), who said Sinn Fein wants to know whether the British Government is sincerely seeking peace. Its reply to Mr. De Valera will indicate the answer to the question. He added: “If it seeks to impose preliminary conditions to a conference this will be conclusive proof that it believes it can play the confidence trick, which it has played before. There is a real chance of ending the oldest war in the world, but no chance if the Government tries to play false.” The correspondent adds that the statement was typewritten, and so represents Mr. Griffiths’ considered opinion. Mr. Griffiths seems to regard the whole British people with profound suspicion, and claims that the whole of the Irish people are behind him in his attitude of suspicion.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,

ULSTER’S COMPLAINTS.

CRITICISMS OF BRITAIN.

Received Sept. 22, 9.15 p.m. London, Sept. 22. Mr. Lynn, speaking in the Ulster Parliament, said Mr. Lloyd George had shown deplorable weakness in dealing with Ireland. He had not treated Sir James Craig fairly. Sinn Feiners were playing on British tolerance; the moment the truce was announced there began an intensified campaign in Ulster, with the pouring in of gunmen and huge quantities of arms and ammunition. Throughout Ulster there were now large Sinn Fein military camps, drilling and practising bomb-throwing. Other members complained of the Govemment s delay in functioning. In reply it was pointed out that Britain had not yet handed over the full powers due under the Act.

Mr. Coote alleged that an official named Cope, known in Belfast as the Dublin Castle dictator, after the rioting in August, arrived in Belfast. He did not consult the Northern Government, but instructed the police that if they arrested a Sinn Ferner they must at all costs arrest a Unionist.