UNREST IN IRELAND.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15955, 17 July 1917, Page 6

UNREST IN IRELAND.

SINN FEIN PROGRAMME. WILL NOT FIGHT FOR UNION JACK. i Cablo—"Pmm Association.—Copyright.) j (Australian and N.Z. C&blo Anocutioa.} j LONDON, July 15.' The- death of Mr Patrick O'Brien, who lias been tho Nationalist memoir for Kilkenny sjneo 1895, promises to givo the Sinn Foiners another seat. Mr do Valcra, speaking to a largo crowd in the chicf thoroughfare cf Dublin, said that tho Irish would noj fight for the blood-stained Union Jad:. They had no particular lovo for Germany. but if a foreign nation hold out a hand they would grasp it. Such a nation -would naturally aspect something "in return—that was commonsense. The Sinn Fein programme was one of absolute independence for tho country. Tliev wore arming and equipping tho youth of tho country anj wore undertaking the organisation of tho Irish people to prevent tho imposition of unjust taxes. A crowd at Ballybimnion attacked tho police barracks and fired shots Tiu» polico fired in return and a vonth was shot dead. Mr Edward do Valera is the successor of tho lato Major "Willin Redmond, as member in tho Houso of Commons for East Clare. A recent cablo message stated that do Valcra and his followers were openly advocating an Irish Republic, and asserting that if Ulster will not nequiesco, Ulster must go under. They | ;ilso advocated the destruction of thu Nationalist Party, and expressed tho wish that Germany will bo successful. Do Valcra was sentenced to death for his participation in tho rebellion of last year, but the sentence was commuted to imprisonment for life. He was released as a result of the nmnestv recently granted to all political prisoners in Ireland. BORDERING ON REVOLUTION. CHALLENGE TO THE GOVERNMENT. NATIONALIST PARTY TOTTERING. LONDON, July 15. Tho "Obsorvpr's" special correspondent calls attention to tho Sinn Feiner's amazing outspokenness. . Mr do Valera is an unemotional speakti, but his words are violent. Tho Government, declares the writer, must adequately and promptly deal with this audacious challengo, which is little short of armed rebellion, remembering that it is outlined by a scholarly leader of a numerous party southward of tho Boyno. Everybody in Ireland believes that another rebellion is •:ortain, unless_ tho Government, prevents j it. A policy of tho suppression cf the Sinn Fein organisation will not ! suffice because it will not be constructive. The Nationalist Party' is tottering because tho Nationalist democ- | racy has not been consulted. Strom: j opposition exists to the Nationalist Party's back-parlour intrigiies anil I wire-pulling mothods, then fore tho prospects of the approaching Convention achieving success aro of the poorest. Mr Redmond might save h desperate situation if ho promptly summoned a National Assembly anit sought its mandate and also requested it to appoint a small council to which the Nationalist delegates wo-'I'.I report. This would relievo tho Nationalists of their fear of being possibly kicked into an nnreprosentati »-<j settlement. It is popularlv suggested that the Government should' «-i----forco «tho Convention's agreement onlv after n, referendum has been taken upon it. THE IRISH CONVENTION. BELFAST REPRESENTATIVES. V • LONDON. .Tulv 15 Mr Lloyd Gorge has invited Sir Crawford McCnllagh, Sir Hiram £.' Wilkinson and Sir William Vv'hitla to join the Irish Convention; Sir Crawford MrCullagh has beeh Lord-Mayor of Belfast since 191<i. V Sir Hiram Shaw Wilkinson, after a. brilliant legal and diplomatic career in the British possessions of the East; retired to Belfast. Ho is pro-Chancel-lor or the Oncen's Universitvl v Sir Wm. Whitla, M.D . M.'A., npd LL.D.. is professor of materia medica and thcraneutics in Queen's Cdlleito. Belfast. He has a wonderful record of' • honours in his profession. . ; ;