REBELS SEEK PEACE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2633, 30 April 1923, Page 5

REBELS SEEK PEACE.

DE VALERA DECLARES HIS TERMS. ORDERS FOR CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES. IRISHMEN WILL REJOICE. [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] ißy Electric Cable —Copyright.] (Received Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. The collapse of the rebel Government, which has been expected since the vigorous Free State campaign, which has resulted in the capture or so many of its leaders, was revealed today by a proclamation by Air Ue Valera, expressing willingness to negotiate peace, and also the rebel army order suspending hostilities. It is the general hope that this means the end of the long guerilla warfare. The de Valera manifesto is characterised by his usual wordiness. It proclaims “that the Republic is anxious to contribute Its share to the movement for peace to be founded on the following principles:— (1) The Sovereign rights of the nation to be indefensible and inalienable. (2) That all legitimate Governmental authority is derived exclusively from the people. (3) An ultimate Court of Appeal deciding disputed questions of national expenditure for the people of Ireland’s judgment, being a majority vote of the adult citizenry, the decision being obeyed .resistance and violence excluded, not because the decision is necessarily right, just and permanent, but because acceptances makes for peace, order and unity, and is the democratic alternative to arbitration by peace, (4) No Individual or individuals subscribing to those principles of national right, order and good citizenship can be justly excluded by any political oath, test or other device from their proper share in the influence of determining the national policy or from the Council or Parliament of the nation. Military forces are the servants of the nation and subject to the foregoing, but are amenable to the National Assembly when that body is freely elected by the people. (5) Freedom of assembly, speech and press to prevail. The proclamation hopes that this advance will be met in the spirit in which it is made and supported by all loving the country and desiring a speedy and Just ending to the national trouble. The army order to officers commanding and others is signed by Frank Altken, Chief of Staff: ‘Tn order to give effect to the decision .of the Government the Army Council has embodied the proclamation Issued on this date. You will arrange for the suspension of all of■sive operations in your area, from, noon on April 30. You will ensure, whilst remaining on the defensive, that all units take adequate measures to protect themselves and their munitions.” The guerilla warfare, which has now lasted fifteen months was announced as a conscouence of Mr de Valera’s refusal on December 21, 1921, to ratify the agreement signed at Downing Street between representatives of the Imperial Government and Sinn Fein. Sir Hamar Greenwood said Ireland is the parent country of millions of Irishmen throughout the world, who will rejoice to know peace has returned to their mother country. The “Dally Chronicle” states editorially: “It is true this Is not unconditional surrender. The terms are vague and do not constitute a real basis of settlement unless it is understood the Republicans are prepared to accept the verdict of the popular elections, but it is time to settle.” An Australian Press Association special message states that Mr de Valera will agree to the dumping or destruction of arras and the release of prisoners, but stipulates an early general election and loyalty to whatever Government is elected.

terms offered by REPUBLICANS. INCLUDING DESTRUCTION OF ARMS. (ecelved, Sunday, 7 p.m.) LONDON. April 28. An Australian Press Association special message from Dublin states that Messrs de Valera, Routledge, Ait. ken, Pilkington, and Parry, and what remains of the Republican Government Army, are prepared to accept the following terms of peace:— (1) Complete dumping of all arms under supervision of Mr de Valera who will agree to their complete destruction. (2) The return home of all Republi. cans in arms, (3) Cessation by the Free State Gov. ernment of all raids and arrests. (4) Release of all prisoners. All alleged criminal prisoners to be dealt with by representatives of the Free State and Republicans, with a neutral chairman (Monsignor Luzio is sug. gested.) Clause 5 provides that every adult, male and female, be u.L.wed to vote at the general election, held as soon as May 6, with an undertaking by both sides that whatever Government is elected, its opponents will not resort to armed force, but express their opposition in constitutional manner. The correspondent adds that ho Is of the opinion that the Free State will not agree to these terms, as outlined. Nevertheless, peace is expected soon,

perhaps next week. Monsignor Luzio is working hard on this subject. MINE LAID IN DUBLIN. CINEMA VESTIBULE WRECKED. (Received Sunday 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 27. This morning, three men and a woman drove up to the Portico of the Grand Central cinema theatre in O’Connell Street and deposited a mine in the vestibule. A terrific explosion wrecked the vestibule and smashed all the windows in the vicinity. Two passersby were slightly injured. FREE STATE CONSIDERING. NEWSPAPER FORECASTS. (Received, Monday 2 a.m. LONDON, Apri 29. The Free State Government is giving the most careful consideration to Mr De Valera’s proclamation. The “Irish Times’’ states that a reply will not be long delayed. A view much favoured is that the proposals will not be accepted, but that the suspension of hostilities will be lasting. In the meantime, the Free State military activity will not be relaxed in Dublin, where armed patrols in lorries and men are everywhere. “Freeman’s Journal” says Mr De Valera could easily make the position clear by leaving the issue to the people who are the final court of appeal and abandoning the weapons which have been employed to intimidate that court. The “Observer” remarks that Mr De Valera has recognised that the principles of democracy debar a civilised people from armed opposition to majority opinions however, unpalatable. The “Sunday Express” says de Valera calls it a truce but it is a surrender. RECORD MIGRATION. LONDON, April 29. A record departure is reported of Irish emigrants from Belfast to Canada. Six hundred left to-day, mostly farm workers from the Free State Counties^