SECTIONAL STRIFE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11195, 28 April 1922, Page 8

SECTIONAL STRIFE

IRISHMEN DISAGREE LONDON AGREEMENT BREAKS DOWN. SERIOUS POSITION. By Teleerapb.—Press Assn.—Copyrieht. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, April. 26. Official correspondence between Sir James Craig and Mr Michael Collins, issued at Belfast, indicates that the London agreement has definitely broken down. Owing to the grave situation in Ireland, and especially on the Ulster border, the British Government invited Mr Michael Collins and Sir Jaimes Craig to. a conference in London, and on March 31st Mr Churchill announced the terms of an agreement concluded at the conference. The first clause stated that peace had that day been declared; and tire following clauses- set out a mutual undertaking to co-operate in the restoration of peace in the unsettled district®, and the means fo-r doing so. These, idncluded the establishment of a police force, half of Protestants and half of Roman Catholics, the cessation of Republican Army activities, and a united appeal to a)l concerned to refrain from inflammatory speeches, and to exercise restraint in the interests of peaoe.

THE TWO LEADERS

CORRESPONDENCE PUBLISHED. (Received April 27, 5.5 p.m.) (LONDON, April 26. The correspondence between Sir James Craig and Mr Michael Collins has been published. It commences with Mr'Collins, on behalf of the Free State Government, refusing to 00-operato with the Northern Government on the railway commission until vital clauses in the -agreement were fulfilled, particularly regarding the release of prisoners, which Mir Collins described as most unsatisfactory. Sir James Craig, in a lengthy reply, stated that the Northern Government was trying to carry out the spirit and letter of the -agreement, but the Free State Department; as a whole, were not showing the courtesy and consideration the Northern Government hoped- for, and had taken action calculated to embarrass the Northern administration. Despite the agreement, armed incursions into the northern territory continued. He regretted the disturbances in Belfast, hut the Northern (Government were hampered in suppressing crime. With regard to prisoners, a large number had committed' murders and serious crimes. Sir James Craig, in conclusion, earnestly asked Mr Collins to remember Article Eleven of the agreement and join him in asking their peoples to exercise restraint.

TREATY OBSTRUCTIONISTS

MR GRIFFITH COMPLAINS. SOUTHERN ELECTION IN JUNE. (Received' 1 * April 27, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 26. At a full attendance of the Dail Eixeann, Mr Griffith complained of the obstructive taotice of the opponents of the treaty, instancing the suppression of the “Freeman’s Journal.” The position flf Ulster -had been aggravated by the treaty obstructionists, who sought to impose a_ boycott after a pact was made, the result being more massacres of Catholics. The elections in Southern Ireland! would be held in June, and- the right of freedom of speech upheld. Mr Mulcahy denounced the mutineers in vigorous terms, and detailed their outrages, including raids on 331 post offices. He said that many prominent firms were closing their offices temporarily.

ANOTHER OUTRAGE

REPUBLICAN SHOT DEAD. (Received April 27, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 26. Commandant O’Neill, of the Third Cork Brigade of the Republican Army, was shot dead without warning when accompanying other officers on a duty call to Hornibrook, a farmer, near Bandon. A member of Hoxnibrook’e family has been arrested.

SITUATION IN BELFAST

DICTATION BY 800 CRIMINALS. LONDON, April 26. Lord Justice ‘Moore, in opening the Belfast Assizes, said there was no use in blinking at the fact that the population of 400,000 in Belfast was being held up by 800 criminals. Since February there had been 97 murders, 67 attempted murders, 150 house-breaking cases, 130 robberies, and 37 cases in which life was endangered.

TENSION AT MULLINGAR

DE VALERA’S COMING VISIT. LONDON, April 26. There is a tense situation at Mullingar, in view of Mr De Valera’s visit next Sunday. Rival forces are fortifying the public buildings, and, as a protection against both the “Red Army” and the workers organising looting on a huge scale, and to prevent the township being terrified, several big guns have been brought in. ' Republicans attacked a lorry-load of Free State soldiers in the market square. The streets were deserted save for the oombatants. Six of the-Repub-licans were captured.

APPEAL TO REASON

IRISH BISHOPS’ STATEMENT. Reuter’s Teleernm. (Received A pi'll 28, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, April 26. A meeting of Irish bishops held at Maynooth issued' a statement ulging the acceptance of the treaty, denouncing resort to violence, and appealing for non-interference with the elections.