FREE STATE'S OFFER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18322, 12 February 1923, Page 7

FREE STATE'S OFFER.

PEACE FOE SURRENDER.

DE VALERA WANTS ELECTION.

FREE STATE OR REPUBLIC. By Telegraph Association.—Copyright.

(Received 3.30 p.m.)

A. and N.Z.

LONDON, Feb. 10.

Speaking in the Dail Eireann, General Mulcahy, Free State Minister for Defence, said that if the rebels came like men and admitted that they had taken the wrong road and laid down their arms it would restore them to the affection of the people. It would be such an unexpected relief that the sores of tho last eight or ten months oould be closed in one month.

Tho Sunday Express understands that De Yalera intends to accept the terms suggested by Liam Deasy, conditionally on a general election being held to decide the one clear issue, whether Ireland shall be a Free State or a Republic. ■

Mr. K. O'Higgins, Free State Home Minister, has issued a statement emphasising that De Valera definitely abandoned a republic when he drafted document Number two with its oath of allegiance and yearly money tribute to the British King as an ideal settlement. Consequently, De Valera had no right to use the republic as an excuse for plundering the Irish people and burning ■ homes. De Valera, having sold the republic, was now willing to wade through blood, arguing about the price. Rather than allow the nation's peace to be shattered and the British to return with a title they never possessed before, the Free State would use force to the utmost.

A Republican communique says that the army is stronger than ever despite the Free Staters' effort to undermine its discipline. War will be continued until Ireland's independence is recognised by enemies, foreign and domestic.

Republicans blew" up the press which printed tho Free State's offer of an amnesty.

FINANCES OF FREE STATE.

CONFERENCE A. and N.Z.

IN LONDON. LONDON, Feb. 9.

Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, President of the Free State Executive, and Mr. P. S. Hogan, Minister for Agriculture, are consulting with the British Government regarding the financial relations of Britain and the Free State.

REBELS THREATEN ULSTER.

CAMPAIGN OF INCENDIARISM. A. and N.Z. . \ LONDON, Feb. 9. The Northern Irish Government has received information that the Republicans are preparing a great incendiary campaign in Belfast and the six counties. A number of prominent irregulars have arrived in Ulster. The police cap'tured some incendiary material. ' DESTRUCTION CONTINUES. WATERWORKS DESTROYED^ A. and N.Z. LONDON, Feb. 9. Armed men burned an automobile belonging to General Richard Mulcahy, Free State Minister for Defence. Rebels destroyed the Athlone waterworks.