THE IRISH DELAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 9

THE IRISH DELAY.

BE VALERA'S SUCCESS.

TACTICAL POINT GAINED,

BRITISH MISGIVINGS. INVITATION TO GRIFFITH. CONFERENCE IN LONDON. By Teleijraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 6.30 pjn.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Feb. 23. In tie House of Commons to-day Mr. Austen Chamberlain announced that in consequence of tho postponement of the Irish Free State elections the debate on the Irish Treaty Bill would not bo re-' sumed next week. j Mr. Winston Churchill stated that the | Government had invited the signatories to the Irish Treaty to como to London for an early conferenco on the whole situation. Dublin is raited over tho summoning of the Irish plenipotentiaries to London | and tho postponement of the House of I Commons debate on the Treaty Bill, j Supporters of the treaty aro apprehensive, | but they hope that Mr. Griffith and Mr. j Collins will satisfy the British Cabinet 1 that the postponement of the Irish elections was tho wisest course in extremely difficult circumstances. The Irish Times says that the Sinn Fein bargain merely checks the natural development of the split for three months, during which both parties will make themselves ready for a decisive battle at tho polls. It is manifest, however, that the Provisional Government wanted the truce so badly that it was willing to pay a heavy price, Mr. de Valera's defeat of Mr. Collins' plan for an early election has strengthened the enemies of the treaty in the Imperial Parliament Furthermore he has taken the framing of the constitution out of the hands of the first Parliament.

Freeman'fj Journal says that the Dail Eireaun Ministers have certainly taEen a risk, but the country will approve the decision to put something to the hazard in the hope, of reaching an ultimate agreement.,

The Irish Independent argues that if there is not complete reconciliation there is at least'mutual forebearance, and the possibility of ultimate agreement Liberal English newspapers regard Mr. do Yalera's victory as superficial, and argne that if the Sinn Feiners are satisfied with the truce outsiders have no reason to reject it, athough conceivable differences over the constitution may complicate the election. The Conservative press views the position with misgiving, and declares that the republican army is the governing factor in Ireland, and Mr. Collins, in the last resort, will have to do its bidding. Mr. de Valora, in securing postponement of the elections, has achieved a republican victory, The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Express states that the Provisional Government's compact with the republicans raises serious, possibilities. If the constitution ia rejected at the general election, so will be the Irish Treaty. There ia also a. possibility that the constitution when drafted may not meet the approval of the Imperial Parliament, in which case the treaty will be inoperative.

REPUBLICAN' PROPAGANDA.

PREPARING FOR ELECTIONS. EVACUATION PEOCEEDING. Australian, and K.S. Cable Association. (Reed. 7.30 v-m.) : LONDON. Feb. 23.1 After the adjournment of the Ard Fheis, Mr. de Valera's followers met for j the purpose of creating a party electoral i machine. A propaganda fund was inaugurated, and sub-committees were formed in each constituency. It is Stated that each sub-committee will have a proportion of Republican army officers. The evacuation of British troops is steadily proceeding. AH East Limerick is now clear of British troops.

SINN IHN JUSTICE. HUDDLESTON EXONERATED. Australian and N.Z, Cable Association, ffiecd. &30 p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 23. At a Sinn Fein inquest, Mr. Leslie Huddleston, a retired British officer, 70 years of age, who shot dead a Republican lieutenant named Duffy, was exonerated. Brigadier O'Connell, of the Irish Republican army, gave evidence that the raiders fired through the door of Huddleston'a house first. Huddleston replied from inside, and in the exchange of shots Duffy was killed.

CLONES AMRAY INQUIRY. BRITISH JUDGE APPOINTED. A. and BUS. LONDON, Feb. 23. Mr. Justice McCardle has been selected to conduct the inquiry into the Clones affray, which will begin next week.