BITTER OPPOSITION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11046, 1 November 1921, Page 5

BITTER OPPOSITION

IRISH NEGOTIATIONS LONDON PAPER RECALLS THREE YEARS’ OUTRAGES. A SIGNIFICANT STEP. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 31, 9 p.m.) LONDON, October 31The “Morning Post,’’ the only newspaper to bitterly oppose the negotiations with the Sinn Fein, devoted more than two pages ’on Monday to reciting the various outrage? during the past three years. This, on the morning of the House of Commons debate, is a most significant attempt to array for the public consumption all facts upon which the opponents of Mr Lloyd George’s policy rely. The newspaper deals at length with the Dublin rebellion in 1916, and details the attempt to assassinate Viscount French in. Phoenix Park in December, 1919, and bitterly denounces the subsequent silence of the Press. Referring to the Irish delegates to the London conference,_ it says that the men who were doing all these devilish, things are now honoured guests of the Coalition 'Government. The paper describes Mr Arthur Griffith as a moderate whose chiefest weapon is his pen. THE <( DIE HARDB ” MOTION OBSCURITY OF POLITICAL OUTLOOK. THE “DIE-HARDS’” MOTION. LONDON, October 29. The political situation continues to be most obscure over tbe Irish Conference, though its existence is believed to hang bv a thread. Such secrecy is maintained that even the Sinn Feiners in Dublin are complaining that they are unable to speak, act, or think, owing to ignorance, of events in London. The Irish delegation regards the position as precarious, and has forwarded an important statement to Mr de Valera in Dublin, where the Sinn Fein secret convention terminated yesterday. Nobody fears that the “Die-hards” (Unionists) will succeed in their censure motion to-morrow, but it is asserted in some well-informed quarters if the motion was less sweeping it would win the support of the majority of the Conservative members in the House of Commons, who didike Mr Upy4 George and hate his policy. The “Sunday Express” declares that the Premier has two alternatives: First, to dissolve the Conference, thereby consolidating the Conservatives; second, to compromise with the Sinn Fein and abandon Fermanagh and Tyrone, thus disrupting the Conservative Party. The former alternative involves the breaking up of the Conference, which it is believed he has decided to do. _ Apart from this isolated opinion, it is now certain that Mr Lloyd George possesses the wholehearted support of the majority of the Unionists, Liberals, and Labour, all of whom passionately desire the Conference to continue to negotiate. AN AMENDMENT MOVED BY LORD ROBERT CECIL. ' LONDON, October 29.' Robert Cecil has given notice of an amendment to the “Die-hards’ ” motion, declaring that while deploring the Government’s lack of policy in Ireland during, the last three years, the opinion is that the breaking off of negotiations at the present stage will be likely to increase the dangers and difficulties of the situation. It is passible that the Speaker will not accept the amendment. THE FINANCES “IRELAND ABSOLUTELY SELFSUPPORTING.” (Received October 31, 8.10 p.m.) . LONDON, October 3i. Mr Michael Collins, interviewed by an American journalist, said that Ireland was more than financially selfsupporting and was now contributing annually £21,000,000 to the British Treasury. Ulster was not in the question—only a portion of Ulster. Without even_ that part of. Ireland which was unfriendly to common, nationality the rest of the country was absolutely self-supporting. With a reduction in taxation under the Irish Government there would be large amounts of private money available for public purposes, and consequently less necessity for the State to expend pounds on important works. . IRISH REPUBLICANS CONSCRIPTING YOUTHS FOR TRAINING. LONDON, October 30. The Irish Republican Army seized the Ballyshannon workhouse, ml are urring it aa training headquarters. Youths are being conscripted and ordered there for training. The inmates were sent to the local hospital. TRUCE OBSERVANCE DRASTIC METHODS BY SOME ‘ SINN FEINERS. (Received October 31, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, October 29. Some Sinn Feiners, in an attempt to observe the truce, are using drastic methods. Worshippers at a Catholic church in Cork yesterday beheld three men bound to railings labelled: “Robbers, beware! These were convicted of several robberies. Signed, T B Police.” DISCIPLINE LACKING EFFECT OF TRUCE IN PRISONS. (Received October 31, 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, October” 29. A correspondent of the “Morning Post” alleges that the 'permanent staff of the Mountjoy prison has been supplemented. by a small force of auxiliaries, _ whose officer reports that the prison is in grave danger owing to the relaxation of discipline since the trace. Visitors are searched in such a cursory manner that it is an easy task to smuggle arms. The prisoners, who are a formidable lot of men, are commanded by one of themselves in each ward and daily drilled and trained in physical exercises, and show contempt by refusing to obey the regulations. Thp large rebel camps at such points as Raheny, Clontarf and Houth an continually reinforced by conscripted youths, who are regularly trained and drilled with machine-guns and other arms, |

AR OFFICER’S DEATH

WIFE RECEIVES COMPENSATION. LONDON, October 29. The widow of an ex-service imw, Captain Plendargast, at Fermoy, nil been awarded £6500 as compensation for the Icgs of her husband. It was started in evidence that auxiliaries and police went to Prendorgast’a hotel and accused him of being a member of the Irish Republican Army. Prendergast protested chat he was an ex-offioer, and that the I.R.A. was his enemy. The auxiliaries attacked him, beat him into unconsciousness, and flung his body into a river, from where it was recovered later.