FIGHTING CONTINUES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11225, 2 June 1922, Page 6

FIGHTING CONTINUES

GROWN FORGES V. GUNMEN RIOT FOLLOWS, ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION. BELFAST’S HEAVY DEATH ROLL. By Tolecraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian ’and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 1 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. Fighting in Belfast has been incessant between the Crown forces and gunmen. Following the attempted assassination of Constables Roulston and Campbell, who were dangerously wounded, a riot developed, in which four were shot dead and at least eight seriously- wounded. A mob broke into Boyd street and Peters place and fired houses, which were burned out. The Irish Provisional Government has written to the British Cabinet, regretting that a number of law-abiding citizens have been obliged to flee from their, homes in Southern Ireland under threats of violence. The Provisional Government is willing to accept liability for the expenditure on providing relief jn Britain for such cases. (Received June 1, 9.55 p.m.) LONDON, June 1. The firing continued in Belfast until late in the evening. Nine were killed and seventeen wounded. Itstated ( that nearly all were Roman Catholics. ;Spend constables in whippet cars, using machine-guns, swept several crowded streets. After tho first stampede a large area became “no man’s land.” The residents rushed indoors and took refuge in the back rooms. DAY-LONG STRUGGLE STRABANE RESIDENTS IN ' FLIGHT. (Received June 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. The fighting in Strabane was desperate all day. Snipers occupy the housetops. The streets are deserted and residents are fleeing in hundreds. “VERY SERIOUS” THE OOLLINS-DE VALERA PACT. MR CHURCHILL SURVEYS POSITION, LONDON, May 31. Mr Winston Churchill, speaking in the House of Commons, said no one disputed that ‘the wish of the Irish people was for reconciliation, which gave Ireland her freedom and a place in the world. Up to ten days ago the leaders of the Provisional Government appeared resolved to march steadily forward through a free election, and to do their best to put down, if necessary by - force, all armed persons who tried to prevent this; but the recent agreement struck directly at the provirions of the treaty. The'consequences of the Collins-De Valera agreement were very serious. It seems probable that the Irish people would not be able to' give free expression to their views. If De Valera or other Ministers refused to sign the declaration prescribed in the treaty it would break the treaty, and the Imperial Government reserved to itself liberty of action, whether in regard to the resumption of the powers transferred or the reoccupation of the territory, as they may think appropriate and proportionate to the gravity of the breach. The Imperial Government would allow no deviation from the strict letter and spirit of the treaty. The De Valera agreement rendered the hope of co-operation between the North and the South doubly difficult. It had d,riven the parties further apart than ever before. He stood today in the presence of a very grave incident. townships on the frontier were occupied by Republican troops. Collins and Griffith repudiated that action in the strongest manner. Mr Churchill asked the House not to press him as to the measures taken, to deal with this violation of the (northern territory. The British signatories had had tho opportunity of examining the constitution of the Irish Freer State. Their examination at this stage was confidential, but after Whitsuntide the House would be in a position to take a more searching view of the situation than was possible at the present time. Mr Churchill added that, if the treaty were broken by any act, if the election were not a reasonable one, or did not have effective validity, of if the constitution as it emerged from the Provisional Parliament was so amended as not to fulfil the treaty, then the Imperial Government was perfectly free to withhold its assent. He did not believe that the members of the Provisional Government were acting in bad faith or working hand-in-glove with the Republican opponents with thq intent, by an act of treachery, to betray the British confidence or Ireland’s good name. Mr Asquith said ho had listened with unqualified admiration to Mr Churchill’s statement. The situation was very disquieting. Only by forbearance and faith could they arrive at an Irish solution.

A FAIR STATEMENT

LONDON, May 31. Mir Collins and ,Mr Griffith, who listened to the statement in the House of Commons, when interviewed, said that Mr Churchill gave a fair statement of the position.

TROOPS IN DUBLIN

TO COUNTERACT REPUBLICAN MOVES.

FEAR OF CIVIL WAR.

(Received June 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 81. Mr Winston Churchill, in tho House of Commons, replying to a question as to why troops were kept in Dublin, said that they were kept in case of an attempt to set up a; republic, in which case it was the intention of the Government to hold Dublin as one of the essential centres. Captain Craig said he had never listened to a statement more pathetic or hopeless, The Oollins-De Valera pact was a gross violation of the treaty and

the Government’s attitude towards it again one of surrender. Mr J. R. Clvnes said he was satisfied that the establishment of an Irish Republic meant the beginning of a state of civil war, the end of which none could foresee. NORTHERN LEADERS TO CONFER WITH BRITISH GOVERNMENT. (Received June 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. Sir James Craig, accompanied by Lord Londonderry, arrives in London to-morrow on the invitation of the Imperial Government to confer regarding the situation. The Northern Premier accepted the invitation on condition tjiat he should not be asked to meet the Southern representatives. SALISBURY AS CRITIC STRAIGHT REPLY BY BIRKENHEAD. (Received June 1, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. Lord Salisbury raised the Irish question in the House of Lords. He said that we need not think more about the opinion of the civilised world because in dealing with Ireland England had shown the last word in conciliation. The Government thought that the conciliatory attitude adopted would achieve settlement in Ireland. Lord Birkenhead said that Lord Salisbury was a confident critic who told the Governmottt of the mistakes they made, yet in the last seven anxious years he had never made a single constructive suggestion. If the Irish Government did not carry out its obligations and a crisis arrived the resources of civilisation would be found not to be exhausted and the Government would closely explore every contingency. THE COMING ELECTIONS SELECTION OE CANDIDATES. Reuter’s TeWram. LONDON, May 31. The Irish election promises to be most interesting. Business and professional men in Dublin have formed an election committee for the purpose of nominating candidates in the commercial and professional interests. Labour, farmers’ and ratepayers’ candidates will also be in the field.