IRISH PROBLEM.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16849, 1 June 1920, Page 7

IRISH PROBLEM.

OUTRAGE AND INTIMIDATION. (Bv Cable—Press Association —Copyright.) (Australian and X.Z. Cable Af6oc:ation.) (Rocjived May 31st. 7.40 n.ra.) LONDON, May 31. Armed men entered the town of Louth, near Dundalk, Ireland, while the residents were at church, and destroyed ths police barracks find the courthouse. When The residents came out of church they were compelled to fetch and carry tor the raidors. The burning barracks ignited and destroyed a row of houses. Jurors summoned for inquests on the Kilmallock victims, absented themselves through f; v ar of victimisation. Michael Toole, a farm-hand, refused to quit the service of a farmer at Ballyglass, County Mrryo. He v.-as waylaid by sonii' unknown persons rnd beaten to death. Th ■ situation arising out cf the transport workers' refusal to move soldiers' or military stores is becoming: serious. The engine-drivers in tho routh of Ireland have refused to driy-e troop trnins for troops, who are arriving in ronsiderable numbers at Queenstown. The position is considered disquieting. The "Daily Chronicle" states that an important meeting of Cabinet has.been summoned for to-day to discuss the situation in Ireland? Lord French, Sir Hamnr Greenwood, Chief Secretary, and Sir Novil Mac ready will attend the meeting. Cabinet will, if necessary, provide means for moving troops -and military supplies. It is estimated that there are now -50,00!) troops in Ireland. Several other battalions have l>oen ordered to proceed from England. The "Daily Chronicle" says r;dftorially: "It is high time the Sinn Fein conspirators were frankly treated as rebels."

The "National News" states that several warships are being fitt-sd out at Sheerness to proceed to Ireland, where the situation is regarded as more_ serious than the reports indicate. It is believed that an attempt at rebellion is imminent.