IRISH DEADLOCK.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1921, Page 5

IRISH DEADLOCK.

POSITION UNALTERED. ULSTER STANDS ALONE, PARLEY POSTPONED. By Telegraph.—Freis Assil—Copyright. Received Nov. 14, 7.40 p m. * London, Nov. 14. The gravity of the Irish situation remains unaltered. The declaration made by Mr. Milne Barbour (Ulster Minister of Finance) that che only acceptable Dominion status would be to treat Ulster as a separate entity, is regarded as official, and has completely upset the calculations of those believing that Ulster would agree at the last moment to accept the British Cabinet’s proposals, at least in principle. *The Australian Press Association learns that the next few days will be spent in ascertaining definite final terms and whether Sir James Craig and hie colleagues have said the last word. Cabinet will meet to-day to decide on its reply to Sir James Craigs note, in which he demanded that Ulster be given independent Dominion status, which Sinn Feiners have already refused. The negotiations with Sinn Feiners have been suspended until Ulster’? position is clearly established. The annual Unionist congress will be held on Thursday, when it is expected Mr. Bonar Law will indicate the side he elects. It is also expected the Unionist party as a whole will say aye or, nay to Ulster.

The Grandmaster of the Orange Order of England has written a letter urging “every Proteatant to be firm and take his stand on the side of the righteous, if Britain is to be saved from the treachery which envelopes her.” He indicates the possibility of a great Orange demonstration in London to protest against the alleged treachery of the present Government Mr. Ronald O’Neill is seceding from the coalition. The Irish delegates have been in Dublin during the week-end conferring with Mr. De Valera. They attended a session of the Dail Eireann yesterday. Meanwhile. Ulstermen are feverishly organising the Ulster Imperial Guards, composed mainly of ex-servicemen, of which ten battalions have been recruited. Services were held in all churches throughout the Protestant counties of Ulster yesterday, Anglicans exchanging pulpits with Non-Conformists, and all preaching on the peril of Lister.—'Aus.-Jt-Z. Cable Assn. STRINGENT REGULATIONS. AT MOUNTJOY PRISON. INTERNEES HUNGER-STRIKE PROTEST. Received Nov. 14, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 14. Stringent regulations are being imposed on the 150 remaining Sinn Feiners in Mount joy prison, including attendance at nnww in groups of three. This was resented as an indignity, and the internees returned to their cells, where all are now hunger-striking. Indications are forthcoming that the truce is being less regarded in the countryside. The boycott is intensifying in Tyrone, where the police surprised a party of Sinn Feiners posting a long list of firms which have been ordered to be boycotted for selling Belfast goods.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aaan. POLICE HELD UP. London, Nov. 13. One hundred and fifty armed Sinn Feiners held up two police officers motoring in the vicinity of Belfast. The police fired, wounding one, and then escaped, but their motor-car was riddled with bullets. SINN FEIN PRISONERS ESCAPE. London, Nov. 13. Eight Sinn Feiners serving life sentences sensationally escaped from Mountjoy Prison. ’They obtained by unknown means, police uniforms, overpowered and locked up the warders, and inarched to the gate, where three ward ers challenged the escapees. They attacked the warders, who whistled for assistance. The escapees ran from the prison shot at by auxiliaries, but escaped and have not been traced.