NORTHERN IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1922, Page 5

NORTHERN IRELAND.

INTENSE EXCITEMENT REPUBLICAN ARMY’S ATTACKS. TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES MAY FOLLOW. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received March 22, 10.45 pjn. London. March 21. The Daily Telegraph’s Belfast correspondent states that a new campaign of flying columns of the Republican Army against loyalists in Tyrone has aroused intense excitement in the North, and terrible consequences may follow. People are asking whether Britain has forgotten that Ulstermen are still subjects of the King. The farmers in Tyrone are men of substance. Their well-kept farms now, however, present a melancholy spectacle of ruin and desolation. Incendiarism is so widespread that the Constabulary is quite incapable to cope with the situation. It is pointed out that the British Government thus far has lent no aid or protection to the border, which has been left entirely to the Ulster specials. Protestant families in the danger zone are vacating their homes and seeking shelter further north, or only visiting homes in the daytime to tend their stock.—Aus.if.Z. Cable Assn. SUPPRESSION OF CRIME. A BILU INTRODUCED. ABUSE OF TRUCE. BY REPUBLICAN ARMY. Received March 22, 9.30 p.m. London, March 21. The Northern Parliament passed the second reading of the Bill for the suppression of‘crime. Mr. Megan, in moving the second reading, said that captured documents proved that the Republican Army was inactive in Ulster until it was possble to operate in security under the protection of the truce. One battalion wsa raised and equipped in one district between September and December. The truce was used as an instrument to organise a hostile army and a conspiracy to overthrow the Northern Government. If the other side would not accept peace, let there be war, but Ulster would never be terrorised or driven by the Sinn Fein Parliament.

A Republican communique states: “We inflicted twenty casualties on the Ulster Constabulary who attempted to blow up Burns Bridge. They were forced to retreat, the Republicans capturing a machine gun and other weapons.” The communique adds that the situation on the border very menacing. FREE STATE BILL. IN HOUSE OF LORDS. IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED. WITHOUT ALTERING TREATY. Received March 22. 8.30 p.m. London, March 21. In the House of Lords, on the motion to consider the Free State Bill in committee, Lord Salisbury appealed to the Government to allow amendments removing ambiguities and improving the Bill within the principles of the treaty. Lord Peel pointed out that ir modifications in the treaty were introduced the other party to the pact could claim the same right. If members desired to wreck the Government it was open for them to do ao. He would not accept any amendment affecting the treaty. Lord Carson said he could have given notice of thousands of amendments, for he had never read a more muddled and unreadable Bill. Nevertheless, they proposed to confine themselves to amendments for improving the Bill and not altering the treaty. SACKING LOYALISTS’ HOMES. SKY LURID WITH GLARE. Received March 22, 9.35 pan. London, March 21. The destruction of loyalists’ homes in Tyrone is widespread. The sky is lurid with the glare of burning homesteads. Some of the largest farms in the county have-been fired. An aged man was shot while defending his home against incendiaries, who later burned the farm. MR. CHURCHILL'S STATEMENT. OVERWHELMING FORCES AVAILABLE FOR NORTHERN GOVERNMENT. Received March 22. 8.30 p_m. London, March 21. Mr. Churchill, in the House of Commons, rej ’ying to a question, said that the general condition of the Ulster boundary was one of most serious tension. The liaison officers on both sides were not functioning as they should. Overwhelming forces would be made available to the Northern Government if wanted for defence or the maintenance of law and order. The conditions in Belfast were most lamentable. He had telegraphed to the Free State that there was no danger of a raid from Ulster in '’onsequence of the campaign.

THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. APPEAL TO PRIVY COUNCIL. OBJECTED TO BY GOVERNMENT. Received March 22, 9.35 p.m. London, March 21. the House of Lords Lord Carson moved to give Ulster the right of appeal to the Privy Council if dissatisfied with the decision of the boundary commission. Lord Birkenhead replied that no one suggested that there was any ambiguity about the clause until Mr. Collins, a layman, put forward his claim. In Lord Birkenhead’s judgment the commission dealing with boundaries was one thing and a commission dealing with the transfer ofr territory was quite another thing. He had no doubt that a competent chairman would be appointed, who would reach the same conclusion. Lord Carson’s amendment would destroy the whple treaty. The debate was adjourned.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BELFAST CARTERS’ STRIKE. London, March 21. The Belfast carters have struck work fis a protest against their insecurity, pwing to the frequent shootings.

Twentyseven have been shot and 147 injured during the disorders. BELFAST CARTERS RESUME. Received March 22, 8.55 p.m, London, March 22. The Belfast carters have abandoned theii* strike, further protection being assured. REPUBLICANS IN ULSTER. London, March 21. In moving the second reading of the Special Powers Bill in the Northern Parliament in Belfast, Mr. Megan, Minster of Home Affairs, said the Irish Republican Army was inactive in Ulster until the truce, after which, according to captured documents, whole battalions were raised and equipped in a single district between September and December. The truce was utilised to organise an army with a view to over-throwing the Northern Government. RAID IN TYRONE. London, March 21. A large force of the Irish Republican Army attacked loyalists’ houses in Tyrone near the frontier. Two houses were burned down. The raiders attacked Glendean Lodge, in Trellick, the occupier of which organised a defence, beating off the raiders, but his servant, who was a special policeman, was riddled with bullets.