IRISH REBELLION

Gisborne Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9670, 17 April 1923, Page 5

IRISH REBELLION

THE CAPTURE OF STACK

FREE STATERS’ FINAL HAMMERBLOW.

DISCOVERY OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

(United Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, April 15.

The capture of Austin Stack and the discovery of the document is described as tlie Free Staters’ final hammer-blow. Stack was one of the best political brains in the Republican movement, but remained a mystciy man. The death of Liam Lynch removed a dictator standing between the army on the verge of despair and a peace movement, inspired by reason, with a determined peace move piloted by Stack on the eve of being brought to a conclusion. Stack evidently realising the futility of prolonging tlio conflict, may have been responsible for a clear move, having tjie semblance ol surrender without ignominy in giving himself up to the Free Staters. Stack’s capture removes the prop supporting the Irregular movement, and it may well be that the end oi the struggle has arrived. De Valera’s flamboyant manifesto seems to be an attempt to rally the courage of despair.—Reuter.

“PEACE IN SIGHT.”

ANNIHILATION OF IRREGULARS

SHEER WITHOUT A SHEPHERD

deceived April 16, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 16

The Australian Press Association's special correspondent in Dublin says the curtain is about to lull on another act in Ireland’s secular drama. Last Week saw the virtual annihilation of militant republican for a 'time. The irregular forces, berenc of Lynch, Tom Derrig, and Austin Slack, are sheep without a shepherd. Peace is in sight at last. The “Deus ex Machina” will be Monsignor Luzio, a Papal delegate, who has been following Mr Bonar Law’s example, waiting the psychological moment to intervene in the _ intersts oi peace. That moment arrived to-day. A special meeting of the Dublin Corporation will be held on Monday, whereat Monsignor Luzio will be asked to institute negotiations for peace. President Cosgrave, O’Higgins, Blythe, and Hogan are still determined to push their advantage, and insist on an unconditional surrender. Powerful influences, however, are at work to save the faces of De \ alera and his associates, while it is quite certain that the people as a wnole have no desire to see the fallen idol humiliated. Therefore, when Mon signor Luzio intervenes, he will have the whole-hearted support oi the people, and will move more readily when he sees that success will not only bring peace to Ireland, but will restore the diminishing prestige of the Roman Catholic Church, which has never been at a lower ebb. The final terms are likely to follow closely those whereto Archbishop Hartv lent his name, and which Stack proposed to support at the ill-starred meeting at Knockmealdown mountains. °lt must he remembered that the Government has 15,000 prisoners, rind their future behaviour depends largely on the terms of settlement.—* A. ancl N.Z.C.A.

CONFERENCE WANTED

IRISH PRESS SUGGESTION

(Received April 1 S_. 15^ p.m.) _ The Irish Times calls for a conference between the Free State authorities and the Republicans _ with_ a view to negotiation for immediate peace. It suggests Monsignor Luzio as chairman of the conference. A. and N.Z.C.A