IRISH PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 246, 12 July 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM

THE CONFERENCE IN LONDON EXPECTED TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 10. Wednesday will probably be tho day for tho meeting between Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. do Valera. It is understood that Michael Collins (Commander of the Republican Army) will accompany de Valera. General Smuts will probably be deputychairman.

Mr. Lloyd George has written to Mr. de Valera as follows: —"I received your letter of acceptance, and will Ixi 1 -ippy to see you, and any of your colleagues you wish to bring, at Downing Street on any day this week.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

GREAT INTEREST IN NEGOTIATIONS

WARFARE CONTINUED BY TURBULENT ELEMENTS. (Rec. July 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 11.

Irish popular interest continues in tho. peace negotiations. Praying queues are not only seen, in Dublin and Cork, but also in the churches of poor London districts, where humble folk crowded all dav on Sunday, praying earnestly. Abun dant evidence accrues that the truce is making pathetic appeals to the sympathies of the common people. Meanwhile the turbulent elements continue the warfare in Belfast, where the day’s deaths total nine. Mors than a hundred were wounded, and taken to hospital. The situation is rapidly becoming worse, and infantry were ordered to turn out. An outbreak occurred in Cork, where a young boy was killed. The body of a chauffeur, labelled "convicted spy,” was found near Cashel. Two brothers were shot by masked men at Roscommon. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROFOUND RELIEF IN DUBLIN BLESSED CHANGE FROM SHADOW TO SUNLIGHT. (Rec. July 11, 10.25 p.m.) London, July 10 The Dublin correspondent of "The Times" states: Only those living through the past terror can realise the profound relief and thankfulness with which all parties and creeds welcomed the truce. Saturday was a day of thankfulness. The political atmosphere was reflected in the looks and voices of the people, who moved and talked freely and gaily, for tho cloud of fear and depression had been lifted. Although further scattered crimes have been reported, the truce, which was anticipated for forty-eight hours, was unanimously welcomed and generally observed. The Press is delighted. The "Irish Times” voices the Southern Unionists’ gratitute for the sudden 'blessed change from shadow to sunlight. Tho first and best thanks are duo to His Majesty for his Belfast speech—ono of the greatest services the Throno has ever rendered the State. Public opinion is that it was a hard task to make the truce, but it will be harder still to break. For this reason Irishmen nre net disposed to criticise the actual terms, refusing to believe that hostilities will be resumed. Tt is generally believed that the Republican leaders are able to enforce the truce though occasional violences may perhaps be committed. There is' much comment on the Downing Street use of the word “hostilities,” as implying a recognition of the belligerent status of the Republican Army. This is likely to have important consequences in tho negolt also imposes a duty on the Republicans to carry out the truce according to strict 'standards of civilised warfare. Tho widespread hope exists that Mr. De Valera’s visit to London will result in peace.—“ Tho Times.” RECRUITING ORDERED TO CEASE London, July 10. This evening the Government closed down on recruiting for the Royal Irish Constabulary, which has been very brisk since the demobilisation of the defence forces. Tho order also applies to the auxiliary police. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PREMIER’S STATESMANSHIP PRAISED BY BERLIN PRESS. Berlin, July 10. Tho papers devote considerable space to the Irish truce, and are unanimous in high praise of Mr. Lloyd George’s clever statesmanship.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. RIOTING IN BELFAST POLICE IN SINN FEIN DISTRICT ATTACKED. London, July 10. During the curfew on Saturday, an attack was made on the police in the iSinn Fein district in West Belfast. Several constables were wounded and ono killed. When police reinforcements arrived the assailants retreated into houses, and sniped from the housetops. The trouble continued on Sunday, when Royalist and Sinn Fein mobs came into collision during the afternoon. A armoured car got between the combatants and onened fire. Four people were killed, including an unidentified hoy of thirteen years of age. and a number were wounded. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POLICE PATROL FIRED ON. London, July 10. A Belfast communique states that a tender containing a police patrol was fired on this morning, and Constable Conlan was killed and two others dangerously wounded. The Crown forces killed Thomas Russell. at Inagh, for not. halting when chal-lenged.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.