IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

ULSTER THE CRUX. NEW PROPOSALS. JOIXT CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 7, 8 p.m. London, Nov. 7. It is reported that Mr. Lloyd George has invited Sir Janies Craig to submit proposals acceptable to Ulster, which will be discussed at a conference composed of Sinn Feiners, British and Ulster representatives. London, Nov. 6. There seems no doubt that the negotiations have arrived at the most critical stage reached since their inception and the touch of a feather may irrevocable decide peace or war. The cards are on the table between the Government and Sinn Fein, and Ulster must now join the party and disclose her l and. The latest development can oniy be conjectured. The ultra-Unionists make no bones about saying that the situation at one stroke may become even graver and more critical, and that Sir James Craig has convinced the Premier that the path to peace bristles with difficulties wellnigh insurmountable. By contrast, the ministerially w«l--informed Sunday Times is almost bright and cheerful, ft says: “There is nothing more favorable to peace than the draft agreement which has been reached at the conference contemplating immediate ami closer unity and ultimately an Irish Parliament with two provincial councils as well as boundary alterations. and, if Ulster consents, tne settlement is made.’’ The latter phrase, however, dims the brilliancy of the hope, and everything hinge- on the attitude of the north. Tile paper adds: “If Lister refuses the result will not be the coercion of Ulster, nor will it mean the coercion of the South, at any rate not by a Ministry header! by Mr. Lloyd George. In the event of a break a considerable section of the Conservatives will join forces with the ultra-Unionists.” of truce. THE BOYCOTT OF ULSTER. London, Nov. 6. Members of the Irish Republican Army, during tne absence of the police, marched to West Inniskillen barracks. seized 50 rifles, a quantity of bombs and ammunition, and decamped in motor cars. Another raid against military hutments in Tipperary resulted in the removal of 34 rifles and boxes of bombs and ammunition. The raiders cut the barb wire round the huts and, finding the rifles were chained, sawed throagn the chains. A Belfast message reports that the Dail Eireann, Minister of Agriculture, ordered Sinn Fein members of county councils, who are members of the Council of Agriculture, not to attend meetings of that body because it Is an appendage of an alien Government seeking to impose its will on the Irish people. The Fermanagh County Council terminated an Ulster bank’s trea-urership of its funds because the bank is amalgamated with an English bank. A graM obstacle in the way of peace is theooy cott instituted in Ulster fifteen months ago. which has been intensified since the truce. It was originally intended as a reprisal for the expulsion by Orangemen of Catholic workers from the shipyards, and is now regarded as an essential part of the Sian Fein campaign. It is enforced by personal threatening letters posted and town criers’ proclamations directed against all traders and banks, from which jßftny have been compelled to withdraw aionev. The boycott was formerly confined to Belfast, but is now being extended to all the six counties. Imports are decreasing to an alarming »xtent, and the outlook for the Belfast distributing trade is very gloomy. The Observer declares that the proposed plebiscite in Fermanagh and Tyrene is unthinkable. It would shatter the Cabinet and the Coalition and lead to civil war. Ulster must work with the rest of Ireland. The six counties cannot be isolated with their 40 per cent, of Nationalists.