IRISH POLLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1922, Page 5

IRISH POLLS.

ACTIVITY BY SINN FEIN. POSTPONEMENT ADVISED. BRII.SH TROOPS LEAVE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.-—Copyright. Received Feb. 24, 7.20 p.m. London, Feb. 23. After the Ardfheis’ adjournment Mr. de Valera’s followers met for the purpose of creating the party electoral machine. A propaganda fund was formed in each constituency. It is stated that each committee will have a proportion of Republican Army officers. The evacuation of British troops is steadily proceeding. All East Limerick is clear of British troops. Dublin is excited over the summoning of th© Irish plenipotentiaries to London and the postponement of the House of Commons debate on the Irish Treaty Bill. Supiiorters of the treaty- are apprehensive, but are hopeful that Mr. Griffith and Mr. Collins will satisfy the British Cabinet that the postponement of the Irish elections is the wisest course in extremely difficult circumstances. The Daily Express’ Dublin correspondent states the Provisional Government’s compact with the Republicans raises serious possibilities. If the constitution is rejected at the general election so will the treaty be aiso. There is a possibility that the constitution, when drafted, may not meet with the approval of the Imperial Parliament, in which case the treaty will be inoperative.

A Sinn Fein inquest exonerated Huddleston, who was seventy years of age, for shooting an officer of the I.R.A. Brigadier O’Connell, of the T.R.A., gave evidence that the raiders fired through the door first and Huddleston replied from inside in exchange, and Duffy was killed.

GOVERNING IRELAND. THE NEW POSITION. COMMENTS ON ARRANGEMENTS. London, Feb. 23. The Irish Times States that the Sinn Fein bargain merely checks the natural development of the split for three months, during which time both parties will make themselves ready for the decisive battle at the polls. It is manifest, however, that the Provisional Government wanted a truce so badly that it was willing to pay a heavy price. Mr. de Valera’s defeat of Mr. Collins’ plan for an early election has strengthened the enemies of the treaty in the Imperial Parliament. Furthermore the agreement will take the framing of the constitution out of the hands of the first Parliament.

Freeman’s Journal states that the Dail Eireann Ministers have certainly taken a risk, but the country will approve of the decision to put something to the hazard in the hope of reaching ultimate agreement. The Independent Argus says that if it is not a complete reconciliation there is at least mutual forbearance with the possibility of ultimate agreement. Mr. Justice McCardie has been selected to conduct the Clones inquiry, which begins next week.

The English Liberal newspapers regard Mr. de Valera’s victory as superficial. They argue that if the Sinn. Feiners are satisfied with the truce outsiders have no reason not to welcome it, although it is conceivable that differences over the constitution may complicate the elections. The Conservative Press view the position with misgiving. They declare that the Republican army is a governing factor in Ireland and that Mr. Collins will, as a last resort, have to do its bidding. Mr. de Valera, in securing a postponement of the elections has achieved a Republican victory. In the House of Commons Mr. Churchill said the Government had invited the signatories to the Irish Treaty to come to London for an early conference on the whole situation. In consequence of the postponement of the Irish elections, Mr. Chamberlain announced that the debate on the Irish Treaty Bill will not be resumed next week.