IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1922, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

RIVAL GOVERNMENTS. ULSTER AND FREE STATE, GROUNDS OF DISPUTE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. Received April 27, 5.5 p.m. London, April 26. Correspondence between Sir James Craig (Premier of Ulster) and Mr. Michael Collins (head of the Irish Provisional Government) has been published. It commences with a letter from Mr. Collins, on behalf of the Free State Government, refusing to co-operate with the Northern (Ulster) Government on the Railway Commission until the vital clauses of the agreement are fulfilled, particularly those regarding the release of prisoners, which Mr. Collins described as most unsatisfactory. Sir James Craig, in a lengthy reply, etated that the Northern Government was trying to carry out the spirit and letter of the agreement, but the Free State department as a whole were not. showing the courtesy and consideration the Northern Government hoped for, and had taken, action calculated to embarrass the Northern Government’s administration. Despite the agreement, armed incursions into the northern territory continue. He regretted the disturbances in Belfast, but the Northern Government were hampered in suppressing crime. With regard to prisoners, a large number had committed murders and other serious crimes.

Sir James Craig, in conclusion, earnestly asked Mr. Collins to remember article 11 of the agreement, and join him in asking their peoples to exercise restraint.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

OPPONENTS OF TREATY. COMPLAINTS IN DAIL EIREANN. OBSTRUCTING SETTLEMENT. Received April 27, 5.5 p.m. London, April 26. At a full attendance of the Dail Eireann Mr. Arthur Griffith (Leader of the Assembly) complained of the obstructive tactics of opponents of the treaty, instancing the suppression of Freeman’s Journal. The portion of Ulster has been aggravated by the treaty obstructionists, who sought to impose a boycott after the pact was made, the result being more massacres of Catholics. The elections in Southern Ireland will be held in June, and the right of freedom of speech will be upheld. Mr. Mulcahy denounced the mutineers in vigorous terms, and detailed their outrages, including raids on 331 post offices. He said many prominent firms were closing their offices temporarily. BISHOPS FAVOR TREATY. Received April 28, 12.5 aan. London, April 26. A meeting of Irish bishops, held at Maynooth, issued a statement urging acceptance of the treaty, denouncing resort to violence, and appealing for non-interference with the elections.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPUBLICAN LEADER KILLED. Received April 27, 5.5 p.m. London, April 26. Commandant O’Neill, of the Third Cork Brigade of the Republican Army, was shot dead without warning when accompanying other officers on a duty call to Homibrook, a farmer, near Bandon. A member of Homibrook’s family had been arrested.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.