SEEKING A TRUCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 291, 6 December 1920, Page 5

SEEKING A TRUCE.

SINN FEIN PROPOSALS

MR. HENDERSON MEDIATING.

SIGNS OF CHANGED SPIRIT

(By Cable.—l'rcss Association.— Copyright.!

LONDON". December 5.

Persistent rumours are circulatiur that the Sinn Fein leaders desire a truce! It is reported that they have asked Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.V., head of tinLabour mission, which is now i v Ireland investigating reprisals, to approach the Government.

Mr. Henderson is returning to England. Labour circles confirm the report that lip is the bearer of important proposals for a truce.

On Friday Mr. Henderson and Mr. AY. Adainson, .M.1 , ., had a long interview with Mr. (Jriffiths, the vice-president of the Sinn Fein movement, who is imprisoned in Dublin. They also interviewed tilt.- Archbishop of Dublin, who stated that any effort towards the cessation of violence and other provocative acts, would receive the support of the Roman Catholic hierarchy.

Among growing indications that Sinn Fein ia weary of the conflict is the resolution of the Gnlway County Council, which is strongly Republican, expressing sorrow and grief at The shootings, burnings, reprisals, and counter-reprisals, and requesting Sinn Fein to appoint three delegates to negotiate a truce and honourable peace.

"Freeman's Journal , 'has also changed it* tone, and declares that the solid weight of Irish opinion favours peace. The Government insists that the murder campaign must cease before it begins negotiations.

Mr. n. H . Asquith was the chief speaker at a demonstration in the Albert Hall. When denouncing reprisals he was repeatedly interrupted by female extremists, who declared that his Government murdered Sinn Feiners when it court-martialled and shot the participants in the 1016 rebellion.

The meeting passed a resolution denouncing murders of police and soldiers, and also reprisals, and urging the Government to take steps toward reconciliation and a peaceful settlement.

Mr. Lloyd George, at a banquet given in his honour by the Constitutional Club, made a bitter attack on Mr. Aequith, Sir John Simon, and other Liberals for not supporting the Government in its struggle with Sinn Fein. He described them as "little imitation Gladstones, who are going about denouncing gallant men as Bushi Bazouks." The forces of law and order in Ireland were entitled to the support of every honest citizen, whether Liberal or Conservative. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.)

Mr. O'Reilly, t»\vn clerk of Queenstown, and two others have been arrested for being in possession of seditious pamphlets.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

THREE SHOT IN CORK.

SINN FEIN PLOTS UNEARTHED. LONDON, December 5. Three civilians were shot deal at Bandoii, County Cork, following an attack on a police patrol. The police had no casualties.

Countess Markievicz, at her trial on a charge of promoting an organisation similar to the boy scouts for murdering police and soldiers, strenuously denied saying that she had eh.ot soldiers and police. She added that when she organised the Irish boy scouts they were drilled openly. The verdict of the Court will be promulgated later.

Timoleague Castle and the adjoining residence of Mr. Robert Travers, in County Cork, have been destroyed by fire. The damage is estimated at £25,000.

Four masked men searched the residence of Dr. Fogarty, Roman Catholic Bishop of Killaloe, and stole documents relating to parochial matters.

The "Sunday Times" states that Sinn Fein documents seized show that the Chief-of-Staff of the Republieuu army issued an order stating that the Constabulary ivas an important factor in determining Mr. McSweeney's fate, and that many signed a memorial that they would resign if he were released. Therefore, in the event of his death, and immediately after his funeral, arrangements were to be made that the worst of the Constabulary in each area and against whom charges of brutality, violence, or aggression were recorded should be killed. This order was to apply equally to the men' and the officers of the Constabulary.

Other documents ordered attacks on barracks while the garrison was weakened by constables attending Divine service on Sundays. Borne orders were issued regarding Brixton and Fortland gaols. Other documents detailed the distribution of arms, and contained the reports of experts on the manufacture of bombs for Sinn Fein. Proclamations threatening instant death to anyone assisting the Constabulary or obstructing the soldiers of the Irish Republic were also seized.

The closing of the public galleries in the Houec of Commons has been ordered on account of the discovery of a. Sinn Fein plot to throw bombs into the House The plotters hoped that some of the bomb-throwers would escape during the confusion and terror. — (A. and N.Z.)

MRS. McSWINEY IN NEW YORK.

A SINN FEIN WELCOME

(Kei-eiveil S.."u a.m.) NEW YORK, December 5. Tin- liner Celtic, with Mrs. McSwincy I widow of the late Lord Mayor of Cork) aboard, arrived too late in dock on Friday for,the execution of the elaborate welcome planned by thousands of Irish sympathisers, who had waited throughout the day. A n-ception committee, under the patronage of the Mayor and State Governor, met the Celtic aboard « tug at the quarantine station, singing the Irish soldiers' song, in which the steerage pasaengc-rs in the Cel/iC joined, but their voices were drowned by the cabin passengers singing "Clod Save the King" and "Rule Britannia."

Mrs. McSwiney, on kind ing, was greeted by thousands of Sinn Fein sympathisers, who paid a silent tribute by doffing their hats. The Customs authorities barred the official welcoming committee from the pier. Crowds lined the streets to tlie hotel, cheering Mrs. JleSwinoy as the procession passed the Union Club, where the Sinn Feiners rioted on Ti*.nksgiving Day. The longshoremen escort hooted and hissed defiantly, and wa\-ed Sinn Fein flags at the club, crowds joining in tne hissing.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.} ,