WAR ON IRISH REBELS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17625, 30 November 1922, Page 7

WAR ON IRISH REBELS.

FREE STATE GOVERNMENT'S determination. DE VALERA MARKED DOWN. ( Qy Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (United .Service.) LONDON, November 28. The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Mail" says that public opinion that the Free Staters are not anxious to capture de Valera, is not supported in official quarters. The Government's viewpoint, expressed by a prominent member of the Cabinet, is that there can be no distinction of treatment between the lowest and the highest- "We are determined to govern, not to be governed," he said. The correspondent says de Valera ma y have been allowed to slip through previously, but to-day the situation is different. By public proclamation he has announced the re-formation of the Irish Republic, with himself as President. This is a direct challenge to the Government, and cannot be ignored. The newspapers in Dublin are having a trying time. The Government has instituted a censorship, while the rebels are forwarding matter, with directions that it must be published.

An important step towards the restoration of orcier and public safety in the country was taken by the JTree State Provisional Government on September 27th in tTie sanction it gave to the Army authorities to set up military courts or committees with power to inflict the death penalty. The motion adopted by the Dail Eireann laid down the following measures to be taken by the Army authorities as a matter of military necessity: (a) The setting up of military Courts or Committees for the enquiring into charges against persons in respect of any of the offences hereinafter mentioned ; provided, however, that every such military Court or Committee shall include as a member thereof at least one person nominated by the Minister of Defence and certified by the Law Officers to be a person of legal knowledge and experience. (b) The enquiry of such military Courts or Committees into the rases of persons charged with any of the offences following—that is to say, (1) taking part in or aiding or abetting any attack upon or using force against the National Forces; (2) looting, arson, destruction, seizure, unlawful possession or removal of or damage to any public or private property; (3) having possession without proper authority of any bomb or article in the nature of a bomb or any dynamite, gelignite, or other explosive substance, or any revolver, rifle, gun, or other fiienrm or lethal weapon, or any ammunition for any such firearm; (4) the breach of any general order or regulation made by the Army authorities, and the infliction by such military Courts or Committees of the punishment of death or of imprisonment for any period, or of_ a fine of any amount either with or without imprisonment, on any person found guilty by any such Court or Committee of any of the offences aforesaid. President Cos grave, moving thei resolution ratifying the sanction, said the Irregular nnd armed opposition to the National Armv meant an attempt to overthrow Parliament, and was n direct challenge to the authority of th© people. Were the Irregular onslaught on the National Forces to wieceed, t'io liberties of the people would be entirely at th© mercy of the gun. The rebe'lion restricted trp.de, attempted' to destroy the industry of the nation, dtelaved the progress of public administration, destroyed life, damaged! public and private property, and shook public security. It defamed their nation, injured the people's health, and endangered the future generation. It helped to destroy the people's peace, had delayed' tho departure of British troops, and gaive risa to a. new propaganda defying hunxnn and Divine law. This particular rebellion had created a. new order in the community—that of highwaymen, who seized property, looted. and destroyed to such an extent that in certain' plaoes people had been deprived of the means of livelihood 1 . The Government were prepared 1 even now to have peace, but there must bei no armed' truce. The Irregulars could have a peace truce at this moment on the surrender of arms to Parliament. The Government were not entitled after the reoent elections to barter terms. Tliere must be no armed force outside the Government's control. If murderous attacks on troops occurred those talcing part must learn that they had to take the penalty. "It was hoped from the beginning," Mr Cosgravo concluded, we would be able to crush the rebellion without resorting tn these stem measure-? of justice, but the absolute disregar 1 of life and suffering, as evidenced by continued Irregular attacks. plainly indicate to the Government that protection is due to their soldiers."

EFFECT OF RECENT EXECUTIONS. STATEMENT BY MR COSORAVE. (Received November 29th, 12 25 a.m.) LONDON, November 29 Mr William Cosgrave, in the Provisional Parliament, replying to Mr Gavan Duffy's attack regarding the execution of Childers. said the Military Courts were conducted in secret for the purpose of saving the public pain. The Government made no defence in this case because defence was unnecessary. "Every irregular is temporarily mad," said Mr Coegrave. "A gang is actually plotting now to arrest members of this House." One effect of the recent executions was that stolen property was being restored, debtors were paying their debts, and contraband arms were being flung into the Liffey.

Mr Cosgrave's declaration that persons connoted of robbery were going to be executed was loudly cheered. Free State troops seized land mines, loaded 6hells and other arms in Count Plunket's Dublin house. Alderman Charles Murphy, one of the prominent supporters of de Yalera, has been arrested in Dublin. threats by rebels. (Received November 29th, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. The Cork City Council ignored a foolish rebel letter forbidding the Council to nominate members for the Irish Senate, and threatening that offenders would be dealt with. All places of amusement were closed and sporta fix(Continued at foot of next column.)

tures abandoned last week owing to rebel threats. COMPENSATION CLAIMS. DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS. (By Cabl«—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association^ (Received November 29th, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. In the House of Lords, the Marquess of Lansdowne asked what was being done with regard to compensation for British subjects in Southern Ireland. The Unionists there wanted to know where they stood, and whether Mr Cosgrave could "deliver the goods." Lord Lansdowne said he did not desire to impute -a 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 Tse too sanguine.

The Earl of Birkenhead said it was impossible to judge the result of wFaft all admitted to be a bold, even a dangerous, experiment in the comparatively short time which had elapsed since the treaty was signed, but there were many signs of hope. It was not the most helpful thing publicly to express doubt as to whether Mr Cosgrave would be able to carry out what he* had undertaken.

Lord Birkenhead paid a tribute of high admiration to Mr Cosgrave and his colleagues for the risks they were running. There could be no peace In Ireland until the rebels had been suppressed with a strong hand. If, by reason of its depleted finances, the Free State was unable to meet its compensation obligations, Britain must act as guarantor.

The Duke of Devonshire, Secretary of State for the Colonies, replied that it was Britain's bounden duty to see full justice done to those who had suffered in the terrible struggle of the last few years. The> commission's work on compensation would be carried on without interruption. IRISH LEGISLATION. THE CONSTITUTION BILL. (Received November 29th, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. The House of Commons agreed to the report stage of the financial resolutions of the. Free Stat© Consequential Provisions Bill, and then went into Committee on the Free State Constitution Bill. The Constitution Bill passed through Committee unamended.