PEACE PARLEY BROKEN OFF

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2643, 11 May 1923, Page 5

PEACE PARLEY BROKEN OFF

LUZIO'S MISSION FAILS. SURRENDER OF ARMS A PRELIMINARY. STATE'S THREE CONDITIONS. [By Electric Cable—Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Thursday, 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 9. The Australian Press Association's Dublin correspondent, in dealing with Monsignor Luzio's mission, states, that he came to Ireland ostensibly oil an ecclesiastical mission, but his real object was to discover a way to peace. The Government, from the first suspected Monsignor Luzio of working in the Republican interests. Nevertheless he undoubtedly tried his best to secure a cessation of host/lities and to enable the Republicans to save their fatvs, he kept out of the limelight,) but the Government was well inform-, ed of his work and knew he was try-| ing to bring the strongest eccleiastical influence to bear on Cabinet, to force, its hand to accept something less than the complete surrender of the Republicans. It was largely Monsignor Luzio's representations which led Mr, De Valera to issue his peace terms., Monsignor Luzio almost succeeded in getting the Republicans to surrender,, but from first to last the Government refused to have anything to do with him. I

The correspondent adds: "The mission was a hard one, the important, result proving- that tho ecclesiastical power in Ireland is nearly broken." Mr Cosgrave announced in the Dail the breaking- of negotiations between the Free State and Mr De Valera. According to this statement, Mr De Valera requested Senators Tennyson and Douglas to meet him to discuss peace, but the President refused to allow a personal conference, and a, document embodying the Govern-, ment's terms was submitted to Mr De Valera. The conditions were:— Firstly, all political issues to be decided by a majority vote of elected representatives of the people; secondly, all lethal weapons in the country to be under the control of the executive; thirdly surrender of arms to be a prelimina.ry for the release of prisoners, who must subscribe to the first two conditions.

In reply, Mr De Valera reiterated, his declaration of April 27 and sub-| mittcd an amendment that a general election be held not later than September 15, pending which, arms in the hands of the Free State troops should be under strict supervision and control, while the Republican forces should have a suitable, building in each province for the storage of theii ( arms.

Mr Cosgrave said the Government yesterday had considered this document, and would send a reply that the question of the oath could not be considered, and effective control of arms would be insisted upon. ThO| Government was prepared to invite) the Bishops to act through the local clergy as intermediaries for the col-, lection of arms. ; TIME FOR ACCEPTANCE EXPIRESJ " UNFAIR CONDITIONS." (Received Thursday, 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, May 10. Mr Cosgrave added that onco the arms were handed in, the prisoners who accepted the terms would bo released. Mr de Valera replied, expressing disappointment at the Government's reply, saying, "I have been met by rigid insistence upon a condition which is impracticable and unfair." Mr. de Valera had been given until Wednesday to accept the terms, and has not done so. FREE STATE ARMY. OLD SOLDIERS TO GO. LONDON, May 9. Tho special correspondent of the Australian Press Association in Dublin states that, the question of the de. mobilisation of the Free State Army is causing grave concern among ox. British servicemen in Ireland. Sixty per cent, of the National Army fought for the Empire in tho Great War, and it is reported that the Free State Gov. e rnment aioposes to demobilise exactly that proportion at the earliest moment. It is rumoured that the ex-soldiers will be the first to go. The appointment of General Murphy to the Chief Commissionership of the Dublin Police gives colour to the rumour. General Murphy is a young man —he is 31 years of age, and was a colonel in the British Army, winning the D.S.O. and the M.C. in the field. He is the only real soldier in the higher command of the Free State Army. While the Army Council could not afford to do without him during the fighting, he is a constant thorn in its side. His appointment to an ornamental post is regarded as a clever move to get rid of b»m. The Gaelic League party is now in suprem e command of the army. Its ideals expressed repeatedly by Mr Mulcahy, are hardly the ideals of the British Army, and ex. British soldiers are hardly the men to carry them out.