PERILOUS SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 156, 28 March 1922, Page 5

PERILOUS SITUATION

ON ULSTER FRONTIER SANGUINARY OUTBREAK INEVITABLE UNLESS PROMPT ACTION TAKEN The situation on the Ulster frontier is described as full of peril, and there is great danger of a sanguinary outbreak. The Northern Cabinet has been summoned to consider the invitation to a conference in London, and its acceptance is thought to be certain. by telegraph—Press Association. —COPYBIGHT. London, March 26. Correspondents describe the situation on the Ulster frontier as full of peril, which only prompt action can avert. The “Observer’s” correspondent, who is touring in tho dangei zones, telegraphs that auimositibs were never so keen. Unless something is done a Sanguinary outbreak is inevitable. Active military preparations are going on along the northern frontier. Bridges have been blown up, roads are blocked, and troops are drilling, owing to a belief, which the correspondent thinks is unjustified, that the Southern Irish Republican Army is secretly massing troops at some distance from the border for extensive raid. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE LONDON CONFERENCE NORTHERN CABINET SURE TO ACCEPT • London, March 26. Irish events have thrust the political crisis into the background. The Northern Cabinet has been summoned to discuss the invitation to London on Monday. Meanwhile, Sir James Craig has telegraphed to Mr. Churchill an assurance that earnest consideration will be given to Downing Street’s hopes for a successful outcome of the new conference, based on the Government’s firm determination to avert the terrible shadow of civil war, together with tho Premier’s opportune recovery and return. The “Observer’s” Belfast correspondent thinks the Northern Cabinet is certain to accept the Loudon invitation, and that it is sincerely anxious to restore peace. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRITISH PREMIER’S RETURN London, March 25. Some well-informed quarters are hinting that Mr. Lloyd George is hurrying back to London because ho is keenly desirous of attempting the role of mediator between the North and South' of Ireland. Unfortunately these optimistic assumptions must be read in conjunction with the precarious Irish situation, which seems to be hastening from bad to worse. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DE VALERA CHALLENGED TO DECLARE POSITION (Rec. March 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 27. Mr. Collins and the Marquis of Waterford have challenged Mr. de Valera to declare his position. Mr. de Valera must publicly repudiate the utterances of Messrs. Burgess and Stack and Commandant O’Connor. Sir'James Craig and the otherj Northerners will not consider entering tho Free State while the latter is divided internally. If Mr de Valera can unite the. country, accept tho treaty, x and work for the Free'State, Mr. Collins will gladly stand aside. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NORTHERN IRELAND’S FINANCE VOTE ON BRITISH ESTIMATES - London, March 25.’ The Estimates for “unclassified services” in 1922-23 show a decrease ot £88,000,000, compared with the previous year, but there is an increase of £3 441,000 regarding Ireland. 11ns heading includes a grant of £1,000,000 to tlie North Irish Exchequer towards the abnormal expenses of the INoi'tn Irish Government arising out ot the present exceptional circumstances, ana also £75,000 to the North Irish Government, being half the amount to be paid in settlement of all the North Irish claims on the Imperial Government for compensation in respect or loss of life and property owing to the disturbances in Ireland. Tlie vote also includes nearly £2,000.000 as compensation for criminal injuries to employees and supporters of the Crown. Reuter. IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY CONVENTION IN DUBLIN London, March 26. The Irish Republican Army Convention assembled at the Dublin Mansion House, in defiance of the Dail Cabinet s prohibition. Two hundred delegates from the commands in revolt attended. Tho utmost secrecy was observed. . The convention confirmed its allegiance to the Republic, and decided to boycott Belfast drastically. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MURDER OF THE MACMAHONS CIVILISED WORLD HORRORSTRICKEN , London, March 26. “The Tinies,” in a leader, states: “We are appalled at the awful murder of a Roman Catholic family in Belfast. Tho civilised world recoils horrorstricken before the lengthening tale of barbarous outrages which have disgraced Ireland, north and south alike, during the last three years.”—* the Timos.” SHOOTINGS IN BELFAST SCHOOLHOUSE BLOWN UP London, March 26. There was further shooting in Belfast this morning. Margaret Savage was killed by a bullet which came

throuah a window of her residence. An ex-soldier was found murdered in the A et Presbyterian schoolhouse in Raphael Street, Belfast, was blown up, and the premises of a large produce merchant were destroyed by fire. Two bridges at Oarrickmore were blown up. A loyalist named Scott, while feeding cattle on the Caledon-Aughiiacloy sector of tho frontier, was killed by snipers. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. March 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 27. Sniping was continued in Belfast till a latte hour. There were many casualties, including a woman who was wounded while in her shop in Albert Street. Crown forces appeared m armed ears and fired heavily, killing two and wojtnding others.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ORANGE /HEADQUARTERS SEIZED - London, March 26. Forty men identified as workmen expelled 'from Belfast seized the Orange headquarters, a large building in Parnell Square, Dublin, and ejected the occupants.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.