DRASTIC ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1922, Page 5

DRASTIC ACTION.

EXECUTION OF ROBBERS. LAW FOR IRELAND. CHECKING THE REBELS. ftj” Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 30, 12.25 a.m. ■London, Nov. 29. Aiderman Charles Murphy, on? of the prominent de Valeraites, has been arrested in Dublin. Mr. Cosgrave, replying in the Provisional Parliament to Mr. Gavan Duffy’s attack regarding Childers, said the military courts were secret for the purpose of saving the public pain. The Government made no defence in this case, because defence was unnecessary. Every irregular was temporarily mad. The gang was actually plotting now to arrest members of that House. He added that the effect of the recent executions was that stolen property was being restored, debtors were paying debts, and contraband arms were being flung into the Uffy. Mr. Cosgrave’s declaration that persons convicted of robbery were going to be executed was loudly cheered. Free Staters seized land mines and loaded shells and other arms in Count Plunket’s Dublin house. HOUSE OF LORDS. GENERAL DEBATE ON IRELAND. PLEA FOR THE BILL. Received Nov. 29, 7.50 p.m. London, Nov. 28. Irish affairs were discussed in the Hous? of Lords. Lord Lansdowne asked what was being done with regard to compensation for. Britishers in Southern Ireland. Unionists there wanted to know wnere they stood and whether Mr. Cosgrave could deliver the goods. Lord Lansdowne did not desire to impute want of good faith in Mr. Cosgrave, but he might find it out of his power to do what the British Government expected him to do. He warned the Government not to be sanguine. Lord Birkenhead said it was impossible to judge the result of what all admitted to be a bold and even dangerous experiment in the comparatively short time which had elapsed since the treaty, but there were many signs of hope. Tt was not most helpful publicly , to express doubt whether Mr. Cosgrave would carry out what he had undertaken.

Lord Birkenhead paid a tribute to the high admiration due to Mr. Cosgrave and his colleagues for the risks they are running. There would be no peace in Ireland until the rebels were suppressed with a strong hand. If by reason of depleted finances the Free State was unable to meet its compensa- | tion obligations, Britain must act as > guarantors. The Duke of Devonshire replied that it was Britain’s bounden duty to see that full justice was done to those who suffered in the terrible struggle of the last few years. The commission’s work on compensation would be carried on without interruption. THE FREE STATE BILL. PROGRESS IN THE COMMONS. Received Nov. 29, 7.50 p.m. London, Nov. 28. The House of Commons agreed to the report stage of the financial resolutions of the Free State Consequential Provisions Bill, and then went into committee on the Constitution Bill. London. November 28. The Irish Constitution Bill passed through the committee stage without amendment. THREATS OF THE REBELS. TERRORISM IN CORK. Received Nov. 29, IDA p.m. ’ London, Nov. 28. The Cork City Council ignored, a foolish rebel letter forbidding the Council to nominate members to the Irish Senate, threatening that offenders would be dealt with. All places of amusement were closed and sports fixtures abandoned last week owing to rebels’ threats. DE VALERA WANTED. London, November 28. The Dublin correspondent of the Dailv Mail says the public opinion that the Free Staters are not anxious to capture de Valera is not supported in official quarters. The Governments viewpoint, as expressed by a prominent member of the Cabinet, is tnai there can be no distinction of treatment between the lowest and the highest. They are determined to govern not to be governed. The correspondent adds that de Valera may have been allowed to slip through previously, but to-day the situation is different. By public proclamation be has announced the reformation of the Irish Republic, with himself as President. This is a direct challenge to the Government and can not be ignored.