THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

RENTER'S TELEGRAMS.

r MORE BRUTAL MURDERS. LONDON, March 25. There was much firing in the C-’tv of Belfast on Friday night. Five were wounded, including children three years old. ... LONDON, March 24. In the Ulster dispute, it is stated that circumstances are now drlftihg rapidly towards the military occupation of the affected areas which are not confined to the border districts. Mac-Ready, the head of the Police, says he regards the situation as most serious. ■ Bombing and shooting in the . East End of Belfast City is continuous. Mr MaeGruffen (Home Sedretary), speaking in the Northern . Parliament, said, that he deplored the occurrences on Thursday a nd Friday,, and added that every step was being taken to bring the murderers to justice to matter to what class or creed they belong, ed. In Omagh the Constabulary, when searching Lough Macßory, found in a trench 52 hand-made bombs and a box of stolen police bombs. There is terrorism at Trillick, where three Catholics were shot on Friday. It is now so great that neithei Protestants nor Catholics go to bod al ' night. Families sit beside the fire all night long. If they hear footsteps outside, they dash from their homes. All clothing is packed in boxes hidden in the fields Money is secreted in hoi- j lotf trfie§, where the police occasionally discover it. There were three mbre mtirderS ih Tyrone to-day. the victims were all Catholics. Presumably thb murders j are reprisals for murder of Loyalists. A police patrol of 50 was ambushed near Pomeroy. Fighting lasted sixliours. Several members of the- patrol were wounded, and one was captured. ( William Campbell, a City Corporation Inspector, in Belfast was shot dead in , the street.

CRAIG SUMMONED. LONDON, March 24. ■Owing to the gravity of (recent events in Ireland, the British Government have telegraphed requesting Sir Jas Craig to home to London, with any colleagues he may wish, in order that the British Government may examine with them every aspect of the situation. LONDON, March 24. It is stated that the tension between Protestants and Catholics in Ulster is increasing hourly. It is understood Mr Michael Collins is coming to London immediately to consult. There arc indications, however, that Sir Jas Craig may be unwilling to confer with Mr Collins again This is stated to be in view of tbe results of their last iriterviett

SINN FEIN SEIZURES. LONDON, March 25. Sifice Monday last Sinn Fein armed fnOi hfive seized 20 Ulster motor cars arid lorries,- especially those belonging to tbe commercial travellers which baVe been carrying samples in the Frfce State. One armed gang attacked the Constabiulafry Barracks at Strathbfcvne. Fierce gunfire followed for 20 minutes when vei-ey lights were sent up by the police, and these brought the soldiers of the Rifle Brigade to the scene Tie attackers then fled. A party of 12 of the armed Sinn Feiners stopped a train from I’plfast, raided the mail van, and stole some registered letters. This is the thirl robberv on the same train.

THE IRISH DANGER. A GRAVE POSITION. UNITED SERVICE TEI.KGR.IMB. .'Received This Dnv it 9.5 a.m.) LONDON. March 26. Irish events have thrust the political crisis into the background. The Nor i.'in Cabinet has bean summoned to discuss the invitation lLondon on . Monday. Meanwhile Sir J. Craig telegraphed to Hon Churchill assurances of the earnest consideration of 'Downing Street’s hopes for a successful outcome of a new conference, based on Government’s firm determination ,to avejrt .the terrible shadow of civil war. together with the Premier’s opportune recovery and return, some well-informed quarters hinting that he is speeding back to London, because he is keenly desirous of attemptin'' the role of mediator between the north and south. Unfortunately these optimistic assumptions must lead to the conjecture that the Irish situation is precarious, where events seem hastening from had to worse. Correspondents describing the position as full of peril, which only prompt action can avert. The “Observer’s” correspondent, touring the danger zones, telegraphs that animosities were never so keen. Unless something is done a sanguinary outbreak is inevitable. Active military preparations are going on along the Northern frontier. Bridges have been blown np. and roads blocked. Troops are drilling though thew is a belief (which the correspondent thinks not justified), that Southern Irish Republicans are secretly massing troops some distance from the border for another extensive raid. Some papers’ Belfast correspondents think the Northern Cabinet is certain to accept the T.ondon invitation, being sincerely anxious to restore pfeace.

AN AWFUL TRAGEDY. T.ONDON. March 26. The “Times” says editorially:—“We are appalled at the awful murder of a Roman Catholic family in Belfast. The civilised world recoils horror stricken before the lengthening tale of barbarous outrages which have disgraced Ireland, north and south alike, during’ the last three years. further shootings. T.ONDON. March 26. Further shootings occurred in Belfast this morning. Margaret Savage was killed by a bullet entering the window of her residence. An ex-soldiep wps fouri(j murdered jp a streef.

! I.R.A CONVENTION. [Received This JJay at U. 40 a.m.) LONDON, March 26. The I.R.A. Convention assembled in the Mansion House, in defiance of the Dail Cabinet’s prohibition. Two bun drecl delegates from commands in revolt, attended. The utmost secrecy was preserved regarding the proceedings. Forty men, identified as won,mm. expelled from Belfast, seized t!:o Orange headquarters in a large building in Parnell Square, Dublin, and ejected the; Occupants. MORE OUTRAGES. .'Received This Oav at 10.16 a.m.l LONDON, March 26. A Presbyterian school house, in Raphael Street,;; Belfast, was blown up, while a large ’produce merchants premises were destroyed by fire. Two bridges at Carrickmare were blown up. Scott, h loyalist' while feeding cattle on Caledon-Aughnacloy sector of the frontier, was killed by snipers. SINN FEIN: BOYCOTT. "Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 26. The Sinn Fein Convention confirmed allegiance to the Republic and decided to boycott Belfast drastically.