IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1922, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS.

ATTITUDE OF ULSTER.. RELEASE OF LOYALISTS. FIRM DEMAND ISSUED. By Tilicnnh -Pnts Asin.—CopytCSt. Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 12. The Ulster Government to-night issued the following statement: — “We have been in constant communication with the British Government during the week-end, and we learn that Mr. Griffith has sent emissaries to Monaghan with instructions to arrange for the release of the kidnapped loyalists. In case the negotiations with the British Government prove ineffective we suggested to the latter that Monaghan and other danger points beyond the Ulster boundary be occupied by garrisons of British troops, with a free hand to take all the necessary steps to secure the layaiiats* release, stop further border incursions, and prevent cowardly outrages like the Clones station affair. ’’Further steps in our plan are organise for submission to both Houses of the British Parliament resolutions declaring that until the loyalists are restored unharmed, and until the British Government agrees that the boundaries will not be altered without the consent of the Ulster Government and Parliament, members will refuse to pass legislation dealing with, the Irish treaty.” The statement concludes: “This will not exhaust the Ulster Government’s resources in dealing with the situation, but a public pronouncement relating to other proposed «teps would Ve injudicious. Meanwhile, every 09 portunity is being given to Mr. Collins and Mr Griffith to fulfil their promises to secure the release of kidnapped persons.” •—Aus.-N.Z- Cable Assn. BRITAIN SENDING TROOPS. Sufficient to maintain order. SNIPING IN BELFAST. Received Feb. 13. 7.25 p.m. London, Feb. 13. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland) announces that the British Government has premised to send sufficient troops to maintain order. Much sniping occurred in Belfast on Sunday night, and the police and military returned the fire. The latter used machine guns against the mob.—Aus.N.Z- Cable Assn. SHOOTING IN BELFAST. MACHINE-GUNS IN THE STREET. Received Feb. 14. 1.10 a.m. London, Feb. 13. The Daily Mail’s Belfast correspondent states that between seven and eight o’clock in the evening the rattle of ma-chine-gun fire broke out in Old Lodge Street, an area in the city, and firing is etill going on. A youth was killed. Considerable sniping continues in the Stanhope and Wall Street areas and troops are patrolling with armored cars. THE ULSTER FRONTIER. BORDERING ON CIVIL WAR. London, Feb. 12. The failure of Messrs. Collins and Griffith to secure the release of the kidnapped Ulster hostages shows that the Irish Republican Army is not completely under their control. It is stated that their hostages will be held until Ulster releases a team of footballers, including officers of the Irish Republican Army, who were arrested while motoring to a match at Derry because they were carrying revolvers. Sir James Qraig states that a time Jimit has been fixed for the release of the hostages. Reports from Belfast indicate that something akin to civil war already exists along the Ulster frontier. Armed guards belonging to the opposing camps hold different border towns, challenging all traffic. The Colonial Office announces that

immediate steps are being taken to release prisoners guilty of offences committed in Britain from Irish political motives prior to the truce of July 11. The cases of those concerned in offences since the truce will receive individual consideration. LABOR CONTROL OF RAILWAYS. London, Feb. 12. The taking .over of the control of the local lines by the Cork railwaymen was done quietly and there was nothing in the -.hope *of disturbances. Great crowds watched the initiation of the jjew regime. RAILWAYMEN RESUME WORK. London, Feb. 12. The Cork railwaymen have decided to resume work on the terms agreed upon at the recent conference. . FURTHER OUTRAGES. PE VALERA LOOKS FOR TROUBLE. London, Feb. I’2. A large Irish demonstration in Trafalgar Square demanded the release of •180 Irish prisoners still in gaol on the ground that their retention is at variance with the spirit of the Irish agreeThirty armed men raided the Castle Island police barracks, locked up the police and secured a quantity of arms and munitions. Inspector Kenny, of the R.1.C., who was walking with his young son at Clonmakilty, was shot dead and his son dangerously wounded. De Valera addressed an open-air demonstration in Sackville Street, Dublin, inaugurating a campaign against the Free Staters. He declared that almost every line of the treaty denied Ireland sovereignty. Irish Republicans felt themselves no more bound by that agreement than the Nationalists of a previous generation felt bound by the Act of Union. YOUTHFUL MURDERERS. London, Feb. 12. Three armed youths entered a shop in Belfast and demanded money, and ou being refused they shot Mrs. Page, the the attacks at Clones show that the specials were hopelessly otit-

killed Thomas Fitzpatrick, reputed to be a notable Sinn Fein commander.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A REPUBLICAN RESOLUTION. London, Feb. 12. The Ulster Government has demanded that, in the event of the non-liberation of the kidnapped persons, British troops be given a free hand and should garrison. the border at the danger points. It also threatens the organisation of obstruction in the House of Commons and the House of Lords until the Loyalists are released and Mr. Lloyd George undertakes that the boundary will not be altered without the consent of the Ulster Government and Parliament. The Saekville Street demonstration passed a resolution to uphold the Republic by every means, declaring the Dail Eireann incompetent to sanction

4he pretended treaty, which was null anH void, and denouncing the proposed election before it is sanctioned by the Dail .Eireann as illegal, and that the attempt to disestablish the Republic was a betrayal oi Ireland’s interests, and not to be tolerated.

1 THE TROUBLE AT CLONES. London, Feb. 12. The Sinn Fein version of the Clones station shootings states that the Republican Army had occupied the station prior to the arrival of the Belfast train containing the Ulster special constables. The Republicans demanded the surrender of the specials. The specials in the first carriage obeyed, but the others opened fire on the Republicans, killing the commander. The Republicans returned the fire, killing four. The remaining specials were taken ylaoiMO* ' —