INDIRECT NEGOTIATION

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 292, 7 December 1920, Page 5

INDIRECT NEGOTIATION

PREMIER AND SINN FEIN.

FOUR CHANNELS KEPT OPEN. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.! (Received 10.30 a.in.) LONDOX, December 6. The 'Times" confirms the statement that the Government is carrying on indirect negotiations with the' Sinn Fein leaders. At least four channels have been kept open during the last month. Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.P., has an official mandate from the Premier to explore avenues of peace. It is impossible to say whether"they will lead to a basis of settlement, but Mr. Lloyd George has other views for guidance in the Irish situation besides Dublin Castle's official statements. It is profoundly hoped that a basis of agreement may be found.—("Times."'.

The police raided a meeting of the Dublin Corporation and arrested Mr. M. Staines, Sinn Fein M..P. for St. Michans, Dublin, and five councillors.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.)

REPUDIATED IN DUBLIN.

•• GUILTY OF TREACHERY." (Received 1 p.m.) LOXDOX, December 6.

The Sinn Fein Divisional Council in Dublin repudiated the peace negotiations with England, and declared that any person discussing terms with a foreigii Government, unless authorised by the Dail Kirann, would be guilty of treachery.—(Reuter.)

A SINN FEIN MOVE.

MESSAGE TO THE PREMIER. PROPOSALS ASKED FOB. NEW YORK, December 6. Father O'Flanagan. acting president of the Sinn Fein movement, has telegraphed as follows to Mr. Lloyd George: "You state you are willing to make peace without waiting for Christmas. Ireland is also willing. What first steps do you propose?"

Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.P.. visited Cardinal Logue, Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland, at Armagh. Cardinal Logue said he was deeply anxious for a cessation of violence and a truce with a cleaner and cnlmer atmosphere to enable discussions with a view to an honourable settlement—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)

ARRESTS IN DUBLIN.

LONDON, December 6. The In test arrests in Dublin include Mr. J. JicGrath, Sinn Fein member of the House of Commons for St. James' division of Dublin, and Captain White, a eon of Sir George White, the defender of Ladysmith.

A proclamation has been posted in the Macroon area of County Cork announcing that as members of the Crown forces have been foully murdered by apparently innocuous persons carrying pistols in their clothing, all males are forbidden to put their hands in their pockets in public. Anybody disobeying the order is liable to be shot at sight. (Reuter.)

GRIFFITHS' POWER.

IS HE A DANGEROUS REBEL? CHANGE OF OFFICIAL VIEW. LONDON, November 26.

The reason for the arrest of Mr. Arthur Griffiths ('"Acting-President of the Irish Republic") is obscure, for he could have been arrested any day for months past, but apparently the authorities preferred to regard him as a "constitutional" rebel who was not responsible for the murder of Government officials, and was powerless to prevent them.

Some of his supporters, however, claim that he is the real heart and brain of the Irish movement, and that when he cays "Peace!" there will be peace. Mr. Griffiths is said to nave exchanged a lucrative appointment at the Cape for a clerk's pittance at Dublin to carry on propaganda amongst the youth of Ireland.

Profeseor MeNeill, who was also arrested, has been called the Ludendorff of the Republican army. He was sentenced to a term of penal servitude at the time of the Easter rebellion, and since his release has been a professor at the National University.