CONFUSION IN IRELAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 421, 12 June 1922, Page 5

CONFUSION IN IRELAND.

THE COMING ELECTIONS. “ANYTHING MIGHT HAPPEN.” By Electric Telegraph-Copyright. .Received June 12, 10.20 a.m. LONDON, June 11. The Observer points out that Mr Do Valera remains the domestic issue with (Southern Ireland, but the British Government places its trust in Messrs Collins and Griffith to overcome their own domestic difficulties. “There is an increasing tendency in political circles, both in London and Dublin, to believe that Messrs Collins and Griffith are acting with a sincere desire to put the treaty into execution. Mr Collins’s latest declaration, appealing to , his countrymen to use methods of conciliation instead of force, is regarded as likely to turn the scale at the forthcoming elections, but it is asked: W ill J)c Valera accept any constitution which complies with the terms of the treaty? Ho might conceivably break up tile coalition before the elections. Though the agreement with Messrs Coll ills and Griffith has already given him a number of uncontested scats, anything might happen at the contested elections with a situation so confused. even if the extremists forbear to employ methods of intimidation.” — United Service. EXPECTED RAID ON DERRY. REPUBLICANS PREPARE HOSPITAL. Received June 12, 12.5 pan. LONDON, June 11. It is reported that the Republicans arc preparing a hospital preparatory to an attack on Derry. The British are behoved to be contemplating occupying a salient east of Donegal in order to protect trains traversing the Free State on route to Derry. Raiders stole 200 tins of petrol from a train between Derry and Strabane, — A. and N.Z. cable. FREEBOOTERS OPERATING, LOOTING OF TRAINS. Received June 12. 9.35 a.m. LONDON, June 10. A Londonderry newspaper asserts that youths on the Donegal border operating against Ulster are accustomed to visit Londonderry weekly and draw the unemployment dole paid by the Northern Government, and then return to the-Jnisiness of looting trains. The press demands that the military shall clear the salient where these freebooters are operating, and similarly the I’ettigolielfast salient. —Reuter, DEPUTATION FROM PETTI GO. CHARGES BY A' RECTOR. Received Juno 12, 9.55 a.m. LONDON, June 10. A deputation from Pettigo, including the Rector, awaited on the North Irish Minister for Homo Affairs and urged that the troops be allowed to remain, otherwise the Protestant population would inevitably leave.

The Rector, who was a war prisoner in Germany, said in the interview that tiio German was a gentleman compared with the raiders, who previous to the British occupation came storthing down on Pettigo armed to the teeth. Farm boys of 18 or 20 came brandishing revolvers, and flourishing rifles, threatening life, commandeering goods, wantonly destroying property, looting everywhere, and behaving more like savages than civilised beings. Several loyalists who wore carried oil' when the raiders retreated were still prisoners.— Renter. MORE INCENDIARISM. LONDON, June 10. Incendiaries at Belfast set on fire a largo block of buildings in Alfred street. The premises of two shirt and blouse manufacturers and one mantle maker were gutted.— A. and N.Z. cable. WEEK-END FIRES. Received June 12, 12.5 p.m. LONDON, dime 11. Six incendiary lires occurred at Belfast. during tlio week-end.—A. and N.Z. cable. INTERPRETATION OF TREATY. LONDON, Juno 9. It is officially stated that after a meeting of the British signatories of the Irish Treaty a discussion took place by Mr Winston Churchill and Sir L. WorthinglonEvans with Messrs Griffith and O’lliggins, in which the interpretation of the treaty was debated. Substantial progress was made. Further meetings will take place tomorrow. —A. anil N.Z. cable. PREMIER PLEASED WITH PROGRESS. Received June 12, 10,15 a.in. LONDON, June 11. Mr Lloyd George states that he is very pleased with the progress made at the Downing Street conference with representatives of the Irish Provisional Government, The conference will resume on Monday.—A. and N.Z. cable.

PEDLAR FACES FIRING SQUAD. AWARDED £2OOO COMPENSATION. LONDON, May 29. The adventurous career of a poor Irish pedlar named McCabe has advanced a further stage with his admission to a nursing home in No wry with a bullet-wound in his head, tie became involved in a skirmish with Ulsterites and irregulars near Newry. Ilia horse was shot dead under him, and he himself hit. Last year he was tried by an I.R.A. court at Cas'tlo-Blanel, County Monaghan, and sentenced to bo shot. McCabe was then taken out and shot, but survived his injuries, and afterwards was awarded £2OOO as compensation.