IRISH PROBLEM

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 June 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM

CONFERENCE PROPOSAL. ACCEPTANCE EXPECTED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 26. The Times s Dublin correspondent says:—“lreland regards Mr. Lloyd George's invitation to Mr. De Valera and Sir J. Craig as the direct outcome of the King’s Belfast speech. It changes the whole face of the political situation. It has caused a reaction in public opinion from despair to profound relief and lively hope. It is expected that Air. De Valera and his colleagues will attend the proposed Conference, and will there invite the British Cabinet to state the maximum concessions they are ready to make, for the submission of same to the Dail Eireann. If all goes well, a military truce will be discussed at joint sittings of the Northern (Ulster) Parliament and of representatives of all Southern Ireland, Public opinion believes that if the two bodies are brought together, a settlement, will be reached.

The “Daily Mail” states: “The Cabinet approved of Mr. Lloyd George's letters to Mr. de A alera and Sir James Craig. The latter is summoning the Ulster Cabinet to meet on June 28 to consider the invitation. Mr. de Valera is consulting the Sinn Fein leaders. It is expected that both parties will accept. The “Daily Mail's” Dublin correspondent telegraphs: De \ alera certainly will accept the invitation to a conference, provided Mr. Lloyd George •dves more binding guarantees of safety for Michael Collins, Richaid Mulcahy and any other prominent Republicans whom Mr', de A alera may choose to bring to the conference. “The Times” Parliamentary Lobbyist comments that Sinn Fein is well aware that the Dominions are now watching Irish affairs at closer range through the eyes of their Premiers m London. “Their presence,” he says, “adds to the appropriateness of the summoning of Irishmen to a conference to end the age-old feud. Ihe eyes of the Empire are now turned to Ireland. Sinn Fein’s reply to Lloyd George will profoundly influence Dominion opinion.” Beni. noon. LONDON, June 27. The Ulster Press views the Conference with suspicion. The “Northern Whig” declares t.*<it Mr Lloyd George is not treating sir J. Craig fairly in asking him to meet <Te Valera, whose hands are steeped in the blood of hundreds of innocent policemen, soldiers and civilians. , The “Newsletter” states that the question is whether. Sinn Feiners are prepared to come to the Conference on a basis of the abandonment of their demand for a republic. “That must be so, else the Imperial Government would be a traitor to us and the King. ’ ADMIRAL SIMS. WASHINGTON. Juno 24. Mr. Denby has published the reprimand to Admiral Sims which reads : “The Department deplores the fact that it is necessary to rebuke a flag officer publicly, but you have made such action unqualified disapproval of your conduct in having again delivered a highly improper speech in a foreign country and you aie hereby publicly reprimanded.” Admiral Sims has forwarded written memorandum to Mr Denby stating that his London speech was inaccurately quoted.

MORE VICTIMS, . LONDON, June 26. Sinn Feiners raided a farm house at Emyvale occupied by a man named Arthur Trainer, who some time previously had refused to pay any Sinn Fein levies. The raiders took him out of bed and fatally shot him in. a neighbouring lane. A cadet named Hunt was fatally shot, and a Sectional police force leader named White, was seriously wounded in a Dublin hotel. Both were accompanied by their wives. They were having tea in the hotel when a dozen men rushed in and fired revolvers. LONDON, Juno 27. An R.I.C. patrol was ambushed at Ballvcastle (Mayo). The police took cover and killed one rebel and captureu five with arms, ammunition, and important documents. Another patrol was ambushed at Milltown (Galway). Two of the police were shot dead.