SITUATION IN IRELAND STILL SERIOUS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16216, 29 April 1916, Page 7

SITUATION IN IRELAND STILL SERIOUS.

TROUBLE SAID TO BE SPREADING IN THE WEST. SIR JOHN MAXWELL GIVEN PLENARY POWERS. .-, _ • CONSIDERABLE AREA OF THE COUNTRY QUIET. ' . By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright. (Received April 28, 11 p.m.) London, April 27. i- The latest statement made by Mr. Asquith on the situation in Ireland is that it is still serious. The movement appears to be spreading, especially in the west. Street fighting in Dublin continues, and martial law has been proclaimed over all Ireland. This statement has directed public attention to the continued gravity of the situation. The newspapers vigorously protest against the policy of secrecy, and point out that the Sinn Fein organisation is flooding the United States with all sorts of exaggerations. It is alleged these have been received in code. Certainly details of ' the Dublin fighting were received in code long before the official pronouncement was cabled. Lord Xorthcliffe's newspapers have commenced a campaign to oust Mr. Augustine Birrell, Chief Secretary for Ireland, using the catch cry "Birrell must go!" Mr. Birrell, with a party of English and American journalists, is now on his way to Dublin. General satisfaction is expressed that Sir John Maxwell, who was lately in Egypt, has been given plenary powers to deal with the rebels. It is estimated that the active elements in the Sinn Fein only number 3000, though the dupes are far more numerous. On the motion for adjournment in the House of Commons, the Home Secretary justified the censorship in Ireland on military grounds. He said the Government had arranged for English and American correspondents to go to Ireland to watch events. He •; added that later information showed that Ireland was quiet over , considerable districts. Sir Edward Carson, on behalf of the Ulster volunteers, placed 1 the force at the Government's disposal for the maintenance of ... ■ authority in Ulster. i\ ■ Major-General Sir John Grenfel] Maxwell has had a distinguished career q;V &s a soldier. Born.in 1859, he entered the army at the age of 20, serving in the '.1/ Egyptian war of 1882. He alto accompanied the Nile expedition of 04-85, and WL subsequently commanded the 2nd Egyptian Brigade a', the battle of Omdurman. If He served as brigade commander in the South African war of 1899-02, during j| which time he was for a year military Governor of Pretoria. From 1908 to 1912 11 he was in supreme command of the British forces in Egypt. He was reappointed Jfi'.to this post on the outbreak of war, and continued in Egypt until March 25 ':■''' last, when he left for England. His position in Egypt was filled by Major- / r general Sir A. J. Murray.