IRISH DICTATORSHIP

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 159, 31 March 1922, Page 5

IRISH DICTATORSHIP

PROPOSED BY REPUBLICAN ARMY CONVENTION

OPPOSITION TO REPUBLIC TO BE OVERTHROWN

SUGGESTIVE REFERENCES TO RIFLES AND MONEY

A convention of Irish Republican Army irreconcllablos passed a remarkable resolution advocating the declaration of a dictatorship with a view to ordering the dissolution of all “pretended Governments.” By Telegraph—Press association. —Copyright. London, March 29. . “A dictatorship would overthrow four Governments in Ireland opposed to the Republic—tho Dail Eireann, the Provisional Government, the British Government, and the Northern Government,” according to a statement issued at Beggar’s Bush and vouched for by the Republican General Headquarters. a This was part of a resolution carried at Sunday’s Convention of the .Irish Republican Army irreconcilables, at which Thomas Barry and Frank Barrett forwarded a resolution setting out matters for the immediate concern of tho executive, including, first, the maintenance of Ireland as an independent Republic; second, the appointment of a Chief of Staff, who will appoint General Headquarters, subject to tho executive’s veto; third, the declaration of a dictatorship, with a view to ordering the dissolution of all “pretended Governments” by tho prohibition of Parliamentary elections till one can bo held on an adult suffrage flee from the threat of war from Britain.

The statement adds: “It was finally decided to recommend Mr. Barry’s resolution to the executive, which will give its considered opinion at the next convention on May 9.” The report continues: “The delegates were of opinion that finance would not causo much trouble, as money could be had for the taking., The Press could be held by commandeering the machinery or using the sledge-hammer.” A Dublin delegate proposed to withdraw men. from the ranks, as each would bring his rifle; and another said: “You had better wait. You will have more than a man and his rifle.” It was decided to stop recruiting for the Free State Army. The reference to rifles is believed to refer to 1500 rifles stored at Beggar’s Bush. A meeting of Republican members of the Dail Eireann in Dublin passed a resolution affirming that the proposal to accept the treaty was the sole cause of the division in the Dail and the country, and asking the Cabinet and tho majority party of the Dail not to proceed' with the agreement. The resolution urged a joint plan of action by both parties in order that the murder of Catholics might be stopped or no longer committed with impunity. It also proposed the immediate suspension of political meetings by both parties, in order to focus the public attention of Ireland and the world on tho intolerable situation in Belfast.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OFFICERS AT CONVENTION AUTHORITY CANCELLED London, March 29. Commandant O’Duffy, the Tree Sta +r Chief of Staff, has issued a manifesto relieving all officers and men of the Irish Republican Army of the responsibility of obeying orders from any superior officer who has severed his connection with the I.R.A. by attending the army convention. The manifesto is a reply to the order by the executive of the convention depriving Mr. Mulcahy, the Dail Minister of Defence, of the control of the army, and makes the split in the I.R.A. complete—Reuter. * LONDON CONFERENCE OPENED LIST OF DELEGATES London, March 29. The Irish Conference has opened in the Colonial Office. 'Hie British delegates are Mr. Churchill, Sir L. Worthington Evans, Lord Peel, Sir Hainar Greenwood, and Lord Birkenhead. Ulster is represented by Sir James Craig, Mr. E M. Archdale, and Lord Londonderry ; and the Southerners by Mr. A. Griffith. Mr. M. Collins. Mr. E. Duggan, and Mr. K. O. Higgins—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE PROPOSITIONS (Rec March 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 29. Official. —The Irish Conference has elected a committee consisting of Mr. Churchill, Sir Worthington Evans, Sir James Craig, Lord Londonderry, Mr. Collins, and Mr. Griffith to examine various propositions. Tho committee will meet to-morrow. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE FREE STATE BILL HOUSE OF LORDS’ AMENDMENT (Rec. March 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 29. Mr. Chamberlain announced in the House of Commons that in view of the Irish Conference consideration of the House of Lords’ amendments to the Irish Free State Bill would be postponed till to-morrow. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REBELS’ ACTIVITIES BARRACKS SEIZED AS TRAINING CENTRE (Rec. March 30, 7.25 p.m.) London, March 30. Rebels are pursuing most intense operations against Belfast traders, and further attacks have been made on trains. Ono south-bound train laden with Belfast goods was captured at Drogheda station. The wagons were opened and merchandise scattered far and wide. The Great Northern Railway has suspended all night goods trains. Sir Janies Craig has successfully ap- ’ pealed for the retention of four Irish battalions at Belfast. Republican sympathisers at Benniore barracks ordered Free Staters to leave. Two hundred departed, leaving their arms. Duggan took over the barracks

on behalf of the Republic, and will use it as a training centre for rebels. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TRAINS HELD UP v AND GOODS DESTROYED .i London, March 29. The Belfast-to-Dublin mail and goods ■train, was derailed near Adavale and surrounded by a force of armed men, who set fire to the wagons and destroyed all the goods from Belfast. The postal van was also destroyed. A train from Enniskillen to Sligo was also held up, and the goods from Northern Ireland were burned. A large force from the Free State captured the police barracks at Beloo, County Fermanagah, and carried, off fifteen police. ULSTER BANK ROBBED POLICE PATROL AMBUSHED (Rec. March 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 29. An undisguised armed band entered the Ulster Bank of Ballycastle, Antrim. locked up the manager and tho cashier, and decamped with a large sum, after stating that tho money was for Catholic boycotted workers in Belfast, and that the, bank would be recouped. A police patrol was ambushed near Crossmaglen, Armagh, two constables being killed and one wounded. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. N CLERKS’ LIVES UNSAFE DEMAND IMMEDIATE DEMOBILISATION London, March 29. Two hundred and fifty clerks in the Royal Irish Constabulary pensions office, Dublin, announced a strike to-day unless the British Government grants them immediate demobilisation, with one year’s salary. They declare that their lives are not safe in Southern Ireland, and they wish to leave with means to establish homes elsewhere. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.