RULE BY BOMBS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1922, Page 5

RULE BY BOMBS.

THE IRISH ELECTIONS. INFLUENCE OF REBELS. TRUE VOICE UNHEARD. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received June 6, 5.5 p.m. London. June 6. The Daily Chronicle’s Dublin correspondent states Tuesday is nomination day for the election of the constituent assembly. If it had a free election it is certain nine-tenths of the country would vote for the treaty, and Mr. de Valera and his intransigent republicans would be obliterated, but it is a grossly jerry-mannered election, and de Valeraites are assured of a strength grotesquely disproportionate to their real influence in the country. The reason for so flagrant and unexampled an affront to the basic principle of democracy is terribly revealing. It is said that without the pact there would be no election, as the mutinous republican army would not permit it, and the bomb and the revolver would intervene. In short, Ireland is saddled with an armed force which acts as a sort of praetorian guard, and the fate of the country lies in the hands of half a dozen fanatic army chiefs. From humane motives Mr. Collins chose the path of compromise, little realising—for he so young and inexperienced in politics—into what entanglements it would lead him. However, independent candidates are coming forward on behalf of Labor, farmers’ unions and ratepayers’ associations. Seventeen Independents are contesting twenty-eight large constituencies, into which Southern Ireland is divided under proportional representation. Many others would come forward, but a silent terrorism is being exercised. A saving clause is that the pact says that if the Coalition disagrees there shall be another general election on the manhood suffrage. The Coalition is fairly certain to disagree, so the Irish Electorate may yet be permitted to speak.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.