THE IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1922, Page 5

THE IRISH CRISIS.

APPEAL FOR GOODWILL. FREE STATE’S SINCERITY. REMOVAL OF TROOPS. FACTOR TOWARDS PEACE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 17, 7.35 pan. London, Feb. 17. Mr. M. Collins (head of the Provisional Government) last night telegraphed to Mr. Winston Churchill as follows: “The best way the British Government can help us at the present time is not by suspending the carrying out of the treaty regarding evacuation, but so adhering to its spirit and letter that Ireland will be convinced Britain is really delivering the goods this time. Many people in Ireland believe England will again trick us, and this belief is being used to our disadvantage. “We who put our hands to the treaty do not intend to turn back, but we must insist that the other side shall also show absolute goodwill. In this regard it is high time the English people should view the so-called Ulster question in true perspective. I protest strongly against the campaign of slander that is proceeding in* connection with the trouble between East and West Ulster. It was inevitable that the detention of I.R.A. officers going co a football match, and the failure to notify in time the reprieve of the Derry prisoners, should be met locally by the seizure of prominent Unionists. It is equally unavoidable that the Nationalist minority in Belfast should defend themselves. “I and my associates are working in the teeth of many difficulties, but we are ready to settle all matters in a spirit of peace and goodwill. We have already proved our sincerity by the withdrawal of the boycott, but there will be no real peace until Ulsterites have displayed the same spirit* Ulster Unionist M.P.’s have issued a manifesto to the Unionist Party asking for help on the ground that Unionists only supported the treaty with Sinn Fein because they believed the boundary commission would only deal with small rectifications of the frontier, which might be as advantageous to Ulster as to Sinn Fein. It is now evident that Mr. Collins takes • very different view.

CARRYING ARMS. PROHIBITED IN ULSTER. Received Feb. 17, 5.5 pjn. London, Feb. 16. The Ulster Government has issued a notice fixing the period of grace till Saturday in Belfast and Tuesday in the country for the surrender of arms and ammunition, after which ail persons found in unauthorised possession of weapons will be prosecuted under the Firearms Act. In the House of Commons, Mr. Churchill said the Northern Government and the Provisional Government desired an impartial enquiry into the Clones outbreak, and the British Government therefore offered a suitable judicial officer to conduct a public inquiry.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE KIDNAPPED PERSONS. TWENTY-SIX RET.EASED Received Feb. 17, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 16. In the House of Commons Mr. Churchill said 26 kidnapped persons had been released owing to the exertions of the Free State Government. TROOPS FOR BELFAST. Received Feb. 17, 5.5 pm. London, Feb. 16. A battalion of the Warwickshire Regiment has reinforced the Belfast garrison.