IRISH PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1921, Page 5

IRISH PEACE.

CONFERENCE OPENS. A BRIEF SITTING. ’ SATISFACTORY START. The Irish peace conference has opened, and though the first sitting was brief it is reported a satisfactory beginning has been made. The first result of the conference was the appointment -of a special committee to consider better observance of the truce. No report of the first sitting was issued, but it is significant that the Irish delegates accepted the Premier’s hospitality at afternoon tea. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. London, Oct. 11. The Irish Conference met this morning. The proceedings were mainly devoted to arranging procedure. Hundred? of Irish women assembled in the streets in the vicinity of Downing Street waving Sinn Fein flag.?. They sang supplicatory hymns for Divine assistance and recited the rosary. All the British delegates were present except Mr. Chamberlain, who was unwell. The Irish conference adjourned till Thursday. A communique issued merely records the names of those present. It is understood to-day’s proceedings were extremely satisfactory. BREACHES OF THE TRUCE. SEEKING BETTER OBSERVANCE. DELEGATES MEET AT TEA PARTY. Received Oct. 12, 8.5 p.m. i London, Oct. 11. The Daily Chronicle states that the first result of the Irish Conference was the appointment of a special committee to consider better observance of the terms of the truce, and to come ot a decision regarding better treatment of prisoners. Sir Hamar Greenwood, Sir. L. Worthington Evans, General Sir Nevil Macready and Messrs. Collins, Barton and Duggan will serve on the committee. As the result of Mr. Lloyd George drawing attention to breaches of the truce, the Irish delegation replied that this matter affected both parties, and the co-operation of the British forces was necessary. A lengthy and amicable discussion followed. Between the meetings there was a pleasant tea party, at which Mr. Lloyd George acted as host. Irish acceptance of an invitation to the tea party is more significant as before they left Dublin the delegation intimated that they would not accept British hospitality. No shorthand note of the proceedings thus far has been taken. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. PROTECTING THE IRISH. GUNMEN IN THEIR CARS. Received Oct. 12, 7.20 p.m. London, Oct. 11. When the Irish Conference adjourned till the afternoon armed Irish men and women marched in procession to the delegates’ headquarters, waving Sinn Fein flags, and singing Irish hymns and songs, varied with cries of “Up with Sinn Fein.” The Press Association says a curious feature of the conference was the fact that the Irish delegates arrived attended by gunmen. Each car had an armed guard, and arms were plainly visible in the men’s pockets as they took their seats beside the drivers. —Reuter Service. CONFERENCE WELCOMED. Received Oct. 12, 8.5 p.m. London, Oct. 12. The annual meeting of the Irish Catholic Hierarchy at Maynooth, Cardinal Logue presiding, unanimously carried a resolution welcoming the peace conference, and hoping and praying that its deliberations would eventuate in peace satisfying the national rights and aspirations of the Irish people, thereby inducing permanent friendship between the two peoples.