The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1922. A GREAT SOLDIER’S MARTYRDOM.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1922. A GREAT SOLDIER’S MARTYRDOM.

The brutal assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson on the threshold of his residence is a dire calahiity that will be felt and deplored throughout the civilised world. There appears to be no doubt that the horrible deed was the work of Irish extremists, as the culprits claimed to be Irish, and documents were found on one of them connecting him with the I.R.A. Such a tragedy, in the face of the results of the Irish elections and of the agreement recently arranged with the Irish delegates regarding the Irish Constitution, comes as a severe blow to pacific efforts. Words fail to adequately express the intense feeling of horiror at such a grave calamity. The distinguished military services of Sir Henry Wilson in defence of the Empire were deservedly appreciated to the full, while the fact that he was selected by the Ulster Government to organise the defences of Ulster is further proof of the high honor and esteem in which he was held. A brilliant and notable career in the service of bis country has suddenly been terminated by ruthless assassins, doubtless posing as patriots, but in reality traitors of the worst kind. Civilisation may well stand aghast at such an exhibition of blood lust, and there can he no doubt that the infamy of such a murder will be as keenly felt by the great majority of the Irish people as by all ether sections of the Englishspeaking people. Sir Henry Wilson was martyred on the alta*’ of vengeance, and the fear is that the crime may arouse reprisals that should at all costs be averted. The people of the Empire may well experience a thrill of horror at such a foul deed, and join with the King in their deep sympathy with Lady Wilson in her terrible bereavement. The incident is too painful to dwell upon ; all that can be hoped is that it may be the closing chapter of criminal episodes of the worst description that have stained the name of Ireland. The fate of the assassins can be left in the hands of justice. That the King and the foremost Briish statesmen should feel almost overwhelmed by the ghastly crime is only natural, and it will probablv be felt that the statement by Ulster’s Premier (Sir James Craig) that Sir Henry Wilson “laid down his life for Ulster’s cause” is a true estimate of the tragedy. That it should also have involved the death of a policeman adds further to the heinousness of the prime. There is. unhappily, a cruel turn of Fate in connection with endeavours to bring about a neaceful settlement of Irish troubles, for it will be remembered that the Phoenix Park murder took place at a time when an agreement was almost arrived at. The worst phase nF these dastardly crimes is that they are deliberately planned, and no one can foretell who Ihe next victim will be. That Ireland will soon settle down to her new heritage of selfgovernment and put an end to murder and strife is the devout wish of all loyal citizens of the Empire.