EXTRA EDITION. IRELAND

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 19 July 1920, Page 7

EXTRA EDITION. IRELAND

VICTORIA CROSS WINNER, SHOT

ARCHBISHOP MANNIX INTERVIEWED.

&£ CABLE—PBBSS ASSOCIATION—COP^EiGHT

(Received July 19, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 18. Fourteen armed disguised-men rush<ed the smoking room of the County Club at Cork. The leader of the gang disked: "Where is he?" whereupon the follower pointed out the Victoria Cross ■winner Smyth, Divisional Commissioner -of Constabulary in Munster. Revolvers were instantly levelled at Smyth's Leadj which was riddled. Inspector Craig, who was conversing with him, •was seriously wounded in the leg. The •assailants decamped. (Received July 19, 10.5 a.m.)

NEW YORK, July 17. A correspondent asked Archbishop IMannix would there be a possibility ■that the United States' official recogniinon of Ireland might be a causus belli between the United States and Eng"land. The Archbishop replied: "England would not at this time go to war Itfith the United States. She could not •do it. England might go to war with the United States at some future time, >but not now. There might be diplomatic unpleasantness from such recognition, but the United States could better afford it in the cause of Irish freedom than any other country." He said that he had not heard that any was likely to be made to' present his landing in England. He -added; "I will visit England after my visit to Ireland. My stay in Ireland is •ony a return to my home, and has*no jpolitical aspect.''

Archbishop Mannix refused to make any further comment on the Ventura iancM exit.

(Received July 19, 9.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 17. The Australian Press Association interviewed Archbishop Mannix. The correspondent asked: "Is there any -connection between the Irish Republic rand the Archbishop's mission to JXome?" Archbishop Mannix replied: ■"No; itis a regular visit to the Holy -See, which is expected of every bishop. There is bo political aspect in c my trip -through the United States. lam only "taking the opportunity of seeing America, but everywhere I have been I have found enthusiasm for the Irish •tiause overwhelming." The correspondent asked: "How can "the Archbishop reconcile his statement regarding America's enthusiasm for the Irish cause with the fact that neither the Republican nor the Democratic Conventions endorsed the recognition <oi the Irish Republic." Archbishop Mannix replied: "The conventions' was due to the fact that perhaps the Irish vote was not sufficiently large to bring about an endorsement of the recognition, but we must remember "that more than 400 of 1000 delegates at the Democratic Convention voted -for recognition." The correspondent asked: "9o you ishink De Valera was wise in obtaining the recognition of -the plank from the 'Third Party, since the party has radical tendencies."

Archbishop Mannix replied: "De Valera has "been judicious throughout. TEIe is not attempting to force or even Indicate to which party the Americans ■would attach themselves."

LONDON, July 18. The murder of Smythe was in re■yenge for a speech circulated by Sinn 'Feiners, in which he was said to have urged the police to adopt methods of terrorism and murder innocent and guilty, promising immunity and support of the troops. Smythe, who lost Iris left arm in the war, had repudiated 'the Sinn Fern's report.