IRISH FREE STATE

Evening Star, Issue 18257, 23 April 1923, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

DESIRES TO JOIN LEAGUE OP NATIONS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, April 21. Mr Macwhite, Irish Free State representative at Geneva, handed to Sir Eric Drummond, General Secretary of the League of Nations, a Note signed by Mr Desmond Fitzgerald l (Minister of External Affairs in the Free State Cabinet) formally applying for membership in the League of Nations Interviewed, Mr Macwhite said that Mr Lloyd George, after the signing of the treaty, assured Mr Arthur Griffith that the British Government would support the request. Ireland proposed to act in the League as a free country. Her status as a member of the British Commonwealth would not influence her decision. “ The world will not fail to see Ireland now a Strong country, which has recovered internal peace and faith in the future.”— A. and N.Z. Cable. MILITARY ACTIVITY. SWEEPING THE COUNTRYSIDE. LONDON, April 20. The National troops thoroughly scoured the whole countryside. Twenty prisoners —prominent members of tiro West Cork Brigade—were brought in to Bantry, and other's were taken to Macroom. It is thought that the backbone of the Irregulars’ resistance in the difficult mountainous area is now broken.—Reuter. The Free Staters arrested Con. Meany, one of the most prominent leaders of the Irregulars. Meany was implicated in many ambushes against tlip British.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE PAPAL ENVOY. SERVICES NOT REQUIRED; LONDON, April 20 ; Dublin reports that a curious situation has arisen out of the attempts to make Monsignor Luzio, the Papal envoy, an intermediary between the Government and the rebels. Alter some delay a meeting of the Dublin Corporation was called to pass a requisition urging Monsignor Luzio to intervene, but there were not enough members present to form a quorum. Aa the members were actually in the building their absence was evidently due to a hint from the Government, which also published an official announcement that Mr Cosgravo had received Monsignor Luzio, who at present had no credentials, his visit being purely a courtesy one. It is expected that Monsignor Luzio’s reply will be an announcement of his return to Romo immediately. The Government is apparently so satisfied with tho breakdown of the rebel organisation that it docs not desire to negotiate.—A. and N.Z. Gable.