IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

PREMIER SEEKS PEACE. I NEW PROPOSALS. REPUBLIC NOT CONCEDED. By Ttkfranh.— Pf*m As«n—Copyright Received Nov. 4, 758 p.m. London. Not. 4. The Herald (Labor paperi says Mr. Lloyd George is making a new attempt to secure a settlement, not conceding the Irish demand for self-determination. His proposals include an offer of the reunion of Ulster with South Ireland on condition that the south abandons its demand for independence and accepts the dominion status. If the south accepts and Ulster refuses, he will resign,. If Sinn Fein refuses he will dissolve Parliament, and appeal to the country for a mandate regarding the Irish war. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BREACHES OF THE TRUCE. ULSTERITES ACTIVE. MINISTER HECKLED. Received Nor. 4, 8.10 p.m. London, Nov. 4. The Grand Orange Lodge of the county of Fermanagh passed a resolution of confidence in the government of . North Ireland, declaring it would not submit in any circumstances to separa- ♦ tion from the Empire. Ten Sinn Ferner-, interned in Ballykinlar camp have been released uncon--1 dit tonally. According to the Daily Telegraph’s ' Belfast correspondent, in parts of the ' country Sian Feiners are openly acting as they please, and behaving in defiance of the’truce. The quartering troops and police are evacuating the small posts and concentrating in the towns. On the other hand, the Ulster volunteers are growing steadily, preparing for emergencies. Since the defeat of the “Diehards’” motion in the House of Commons, Sir Ham&r Greenwood has been daily bombarded with questions regarding Sinn Fein activities in defiance of the truce, notably in connection with gun running, armed camps, boycott and compulsory Levies. His replies, which are regarded as evasive, have been principally to the effect that matters had been referred to the Sinn Fein liaison officers, who were acting loyally to the truce contract. It is understood, nevertheless, that the disclosures in the questions, showing the Government's apparent lack of information, and inability to deal with matters, are causing perturbation in circles which hitherto had disassociated themselves from those who ftave been seeking to embarrass the negotiations with Einn Fein. This was accentuated yesterday when the Government was heckled concerning the dismissal of Sir Basil Thompson, head of the special secret service force of Scotland Yard. The Home Office declared it was impossible to continue Sir Basil Thompson's appointment because be failed to harmonise with the Comntfissioner of Police. It is alleged, on the contrary, he has been sacrificed in order to secure the post for Sir J. A. Byrne, an Irish Catholic, who recently was dismissed from the headship of the Irish Constabulary. The question became complicated later when Mr. E. S. Shortt, K-C. (Home Secretary I, announced that Fir J. A. Byrne, learning of the unpleasant character of the proceedings in the House of Commons, had declined to accept the offer, which Mr. Shortt adauitted had been made to him.