Grey River Argus and Blackball News WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1922. THE IRISH SITUATION.

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1922, Page 4

Grey River Argus and Blackball News

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1922. THE IRISH SITUATION.

I Delivered ever* mining in Grr ruth K:>- -a, 1 TLxi-'ka, Dnr-on. W.itteeqd, TayL* rtl’.c, Croaaaun, ; Ngabere. bl ickball, Nelson Creek. Brunner, Te • Kinkhn J<. loMiauu, Porn Inchbonnie. Patara, ’ Ruru. Kann-tta, Kotuk* - Muina, Aratika, Bunarga, i Dunoilie, Cobden, Baxters, Kokiri, Ahaura, Ikamatna, • Stui water. Waiuta. Reef ton. Ross. Ruatapua, Maoai nui, Hari Hart. Waiho Gorge, Weheka, Rewanui, ! Otira, luangahua Junction. Westport, Waimangar-ja, ' Denniston. Granity, Millerton. Ngakawau. Hector* i Seddonviile. Cape Foulwind, and Karan)?”,

The perseverance of the republican

movement in Ireland, if judged from press cablegrams, would appear a surprising phenomenon, but anyone knowing the faithfulness of Irishmen to their ideals will not be surprised to find De Valera remains the leader of the Irish nation. From the first moment the London pact was signed by Collins and Griffiths, De Valera and all standing for Irish independence have made no secret of their refusal to be bound by it, seeing that it not

only partitions Ireland, but denies her self-determination. It is now quite clear the majority of the Irish people have never relinquished their ideal of a republic. It may be that time must elapse before it is fully realised, but those animated by it are not only determined never to sell it at England’s price, but to do nothing that would later stand in the way of its attainment. It is evident that the English politicians’ interest in. having Irish •elections now is their desire to force an acceptance of the terms they sought at London to dictate. If an election turned out otherwise, they, along with Collins and his faction, would attempt to repudiate the election verdict, just

as previous similar verdicts were ignored by the British Cabinet. The Republicans are doing no more than seeking to make the promises of Lloyd George a fact in Ireland. If they

were to relax their efforts, and abandon their military advantages—greater now than ever before —it would bo probably a free state joke instead of a free constitution, which the British politicians would foist upon them. Collins 'had virtually sold the pass when he agreed to allow the London Cabinet to be the final arbiter over the Irish constitution. It is clear Do Valera has used the interval since then, in a wise manner, to educate public opinion. His popular welcomes everywhere contrast with the suspicion shown towards Collins and the Free State clenic-nt. If the Irish Republican Army is taking military action, no matter what names

the cables apply to them, they arc

doing no more than to exercise the rights of the army of a ebuntry either free or determined to be. The attempt in Ulster to stampede a southern submission by outrages purely sectarian, has failed, but much is made of Cork military action adversely affecting Pro-

testants in one portion of the county. The outstanding feature of the Irish situation at present is that, while the English policy is directed at dividing and still subjecting the country, Ireland’s most powerful upholders arc determined to make the promised freedom a reality.