SHADOW RE-APPEARS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1922, Page 5

SHADOW RE-APPEARS.

CLOUD OVER IRELAND. THREAT OF CIVIL WAR. NORTH AND SOUTH DISAGREE. INCREASE OF OUTRAGES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—■ Copyright. London, March 26. Irish events have thrust the political crisis into the background. The Northern Cabinet has been summoned to discuss the invitation to London on Monday. Meanwhile Sir James Craig has telegraphed to Mr. Churchill an assurance of earnest consideration of the invitation. Downing Street hopes for a successful outcome of the new conference based on the Government’s firm determination to avert the terrible shadow of civil war, together with the Premier’s opportune recovery and return. \

Some well-informed quarters hint that Mr. Lloyd George is speeding back to London because he is keenly desirous of attempting the role of mediator between the North and South. Unfortunately these optimistic assumptions must lead to the conjecture that the Irish situation is precarious and that events seem hastening from bad to worse. Correspondents describe the position as full of peril, which only prompt action can avert. The Observer’s correspondent, who is touring in the danger zones, telegraphs that animosities were never so keen, and that unless something is done a sanguinary outbreak is unevitable. Active military preparations are going on along the Northern frontier. Bridges have been blown up, roads blocked, and troops drilling, through the belief (which the correspondent thinks is not justified) that the Southern Irish Republican Army is secretly massing troops some distance from the border for another extensive raid. The Belfast correspondent of the same paper thinks that the Northern Cabinet is certain to adopt the London invitation, being sincerely anxious to restore peace. The Times says editorially: “We are appalled at the awful murder of the Roman Catholic family in Belfast. ’The civilised world recoils horror-stricken before the lengthening tale of barbarous outrages which has disgraced Ireland, North and South alike, during the last three years.” The I.R.A. Convention assembled in the Mansion House, in defiance of the prohibition of the Dail Cabinet. Two hundred delegates from commands in revolt attended. The utmost secrecy was preserved regarding the proceedings. i Forty men, identified as workmen expelled from Belfast, seized the Orange headquarters, a large building in Parnell Square, Dublin, and ejected the occupants. Further shooting occurred in Belfast this morning. Margaret Savage was killed by a bullet entering the window of her residence. An ex-soldier was found murdered in the street. The Presbyterian schoolhouse in Raphael Street, Belfast, was blown up, while a large produce merchant’s premises were destroyed by fire. Two bridges at Carrickmore were blown up. Scott, a Loyalist, while feeding his cattle on the* Cakdon-Aughnacloy sector of the frontier, was killed by snipers. The' Sinn Fein Convention confirmed Its allegiance to the Republic, and decMed to boycott Belfast drastically.

DE VALERA CHALLENGED. TO DECLARE HIS POSITION. POSITION PLAINLY PUT. Received March 27, 5.5 p.m. London, March 27. Mr. Collinr and Lord Waterford have challenged de Valera to declare hit position. De Valera must publicly repudiate the utterances of Burgess Stock and Commandant O’Connor. Sir Jas. Craig and his Northerners •will not consider entering the Free State while the latter is divided internally. If de Valera can unite the country, accept the treaty, and work for the Free State, Mr. Collins will gladly stand aside. Sniping was continued in Belfast till a late hour. There were many casualties, including a woman, who was wounded while in her shop in Albert Street. Crown forces appeared in armed cars and fired heavily, killing two and wounding others. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.