IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

PARTIES TO CONFER. MEETING IN LONDON. LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS. Sinn Fein has accepted the British Government’s invitation to a conference on October 11. De Valera says: “We accept the invitation, and our delegates will meet yours to explore every possibility of settlement by personal discussion.” This news has restored the utmost confidence, and in Dublin the outlook is regarded as the brightest since the rebellion in 1916. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Sept. 30. Mr. De Valera replied to Mr. Lloyd George: “Our respective positions, being now stated and understood, we agree that correspondence is not the most practical and hopeful way to an understanding. We accept the invitation, and our delegates will meet yours to explore every possibility of settlement by personal discussion.” Received October 1, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 30. The Central News Agency states it ft expected that the conference between the Government and Sinn Fein, if it proceeds favorably, will last for several months, and that legislation for a settlement cannot be expected until February at the earliest. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Oct. 2, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 1. Dublin and Cork newspapers are unanimously relieved at Mr. De Valera’s acceptance. The Central News states that in Dublin the outlook is regarded as the brightest since the rebellion in 1916. The reply has restored the utmost confidence. Freeman’s Journal, welcoming De Valera’s acceptance, hopes the peace atmosphere will be carefully maintained. The paper says the existence of internment camps involves risks of jarring incidents imperilling peace; the untried prisoners in them are not receiving treatment suitable to untried men. Some of the camps are insanitary, with commandants as unfitted to the appointment as in the Germans’ camps in which the British were insulted and maltreated.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. IRISH PAPER’S OPINION. London, Sept. 30. Freeman’s Journal says: “The Premier’s reply leaves delegates unfettered and the paper trusts the invitation will lead to a conference which will result in a great and beneficient measure of peace, such as is ardently desired, not only by the British and Irish peoples, but by the whole world.” SINN FEIN JUSTICE. London. Sept. 30. Six men charged in fhe Dublin Sinn Fein Court with robbery and violence confessed that they began holding up victims 18 months ago. Three prisoners were sentenced to 60 strokes of the birch and 20 years’ deportation, three to 30 strokes, and periods of deportation varying from seven to fifteen years.