The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1922. THE POSITION IN IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1922. THE POSITION IN IRELAND.

Owing to the militant tactics in li-eland being of such a nature as to practically partake of the nature of a civil war, the forthcoming election of a Constituent Assembly is overshadowed by the clash of arms, the bursting oi bombs, and the roar of artillery. It is impossible to follow recent events in that part of the Empire without feeling acutely the fact that the resources of eivilisaion have failed to cope with the simple question of maintaining law and order. The worst aspect of this turmoil is the disregard of human life and the wholesale manner in which firearms and explosives are being used. There is no sadder or more disconcerting sight than an armed feud between people of the same country, especially when it is carried to extremes. At last the Imperial Government has been most reluctantly compelled to meet force with force, an act that of itself denotes the very serious nature of the situation. Apparently the time has come when that Government considered it imperative to impress on the lawless that where life and property are concerned the Government is in earnest over carrying out the. duty of protection and preservation. When the position is such as to necessitate the use of artillery, it stands to reason that it has become desperate. It was hoped that when the agreement between the Sinn Fein delegates and the Imperial Government was ratified, a definite effort would have been made to carry out its terms, and gradually establish that peace which was so greatly desired. There were, however, grave doubts as to whether de Valera would take the course which would enable Ireland to be at peace. Events have shown that he was, and is, so obsessed with the demand for a republic that all the good. work of the Conference has been wrecked, and the country plunged into a worse state of terror than previously. Whatever- happens, even the worst that can be imagined, Ireland must remain in the Empire, and therefore cannot become a Republic. The intense reluctance of the Imperial authorities to resort to armed force to repress rebellion and looting is well known. The situation, however, got out of hand, and at last the plunge was made, and British troops are now at work when required to deal with organised armed bands. It is particularly desirable that the elections shall be conducted so as to enable votes being registered free from terrorism. According to the Daily Chronicle’s Dublin correspondent, if a free election takes place it will disclose that nine-tenths of the country favor the treaty, but it is asserted that the fate of the country lies in the hands of half a dozen fanatical army chiefs. It is quite conceivlable that the great majority of the people would be quite content; ‘with the large measure of Home!

Rule that has been offered to and been accepted by the Irish delegates. What the outcome of the Collins—-de Valera coalition will be no one can foretell, but unless the people as a whole are allowed to express their opinion at the polls without any fear of consequences, it is obvious that the settlement of the whole question must inevitably fail. It is of little consequence that the coalition pact provides that if the coalition disagrees ahother election shall be held on manhood suffrage, for that will not provide the needed remedy. Nothing could be worse for Ireland than to be ruled by terrorism. There has been far too much of this in the past, and but for the action of the extremists the Irish problem could be ; settled in a few hours. It is possible that if sufficient, protection is given to the people so as to permit of a full record of votes being given, the foundations may be laid for a new era of happiness in the country. Unhappily the spirit of reprisal has had full sway, and i has done much to embitter th< i various factions. The people oi the Empire are at one in their ardent desire that, the problem mav be solved in the right way, and an end put to the terrible strife, that is a blot on present day civilisation.