THE IRISH ARRESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18348, 14 March 1923, Page 8

THE IRISH ARRESTS.

Strategic soundness characterises the move by which prominent Irish Republicans resident in England and Scotland have been arrested and sent back to Ireland to be dealt with there. Final success could never be attained by the Free State Government in its efforts to restore order so long as a safe sanctuary for conspiracy was offered so close at hand. The authority under which the arrests were made has alreadybeen the subject of questions in the House of Commons. The legal aspects will no-doubt be duly tested. If is characteristic of the mentality of the Republicans that they should claim the protection' of laws while denying their authority. They assume that the laws of the Free State should protect them, but nobody else. Whatever may be the result of the 'inevitable argument, there is a good measure of satisfaction derivable from this development, by all who sincerely wish to see peace and order restored in Ireland. , Some, at least, of the sources from which munitions and supplies were obtained for the Republicans should be cut off by the action which the British authorities have taken. It is symptomatic also of the degree in which the Free State and the Imperial Governments are able to work in co-operation. m The request for "action came from Ireland. - It was granted by Britain. Once the rebelsfor rebellion against the Free State is also against the King —were under restraint, they were promptly handed over to the Irish authorities. It , is a complete acknowledgment of the responsibility of the Free State for its own subjects. The two Governments have co-operated in what may prove to be an effective blow to the forces of rebellion in Ireland. .