A WARNING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11408, 3 January 1923, Page 5

A WARNING

TO IRISH REPUBLICANS tyranny by the minority WILE BE PUNISHED. ' CLEMENCY NOT APPRECIATED. By Telegraph—Press A.ssn.—Copyright Australian. and N.Z. Oftble Association. NEW YORK, January 1. The “New York World’s” Dublin correspondent interviewed President Cosgrave, who condemned bln acts of the Irish Republicans as outdoing the ferocity on the model set by the “Black and Tans,” and in order to save the State from destruction the Government was determined to punish tyranny by the minority with death. He concluded: “This Government wants no bloodshed, but its first duty is to protect the people, and it will try to perform that duty honestly and feanessly, as Abraham Lincoln would have done. No Government in history had treated the army of revolt with greater clemency, hut its clemency had been misinterpreted. The Government intends to use the authority it derives from, the Irish people to make that authority prevail, and the alternative would be the destruction of Ireland.” President Cosgrave charges the Republicans with attempting to recruit followers by promising them the property of Free Staters. , THE OUTLOOK PRESIDENT OPTIMISTIC. NORTH AND SOUTH MUST COM- - BINE. Published In "The Times" LONDON, December 31. President Cosgrave, in an article in “The Times,” takes an optimistic view of the future, but declares that, unless the North andi the South combine, there wijl always toe a sinister obstacle to peace, and a peace ever . bristling with dangers and awful possibilities. He adds that a Boundary Commission is not til© perfect cure, but it seems that there ie no alternative. The difficulty with the irregulars, whom, he describee as Bedlam out of bounds, is being dealt with effectively. The President concludes: “The Now Year finds the foundations of the Free State firmly laid. We have .gone far towards restoring normal and ordered conditions, and are very hopeful thata position will shortly mature enabling a solid and abiding arrangement with the North that will satisfy noth parties, and not inconsistent with the ideal of the complete co-operation of the two Governments in social and economic reconstruction.” LONDON, January 1. President Oosgravej in a New Year message to Ireland, says: “The people desire peace, and intend to achieve it. The only possible way to accomplish this end is by establishing the right of majority rule. The year opens with a message for hope and peace, order, goodwill, and unity with our countrymen temporarily divorced from us.” : Replying to the' resolution of exofficers of the- Tipperary Brigade and the 1.R.A., calling for a peace conference, President -Cosgrave says: “The basis of peace must be that the Treaty shall stand, and that there shall-be no armed'foroe or military organisations, no carrying of arms dr war material, except what the Free State permits, and no interference with elections,!’ OUTBREAKS BY REBELS WEEK-END ACTIVITY. LONDON, January It Rebel activities marked the weekend. A detachment of troops was ambushed near Castle Gregory, two being killed and one wounded. A bomb was flung at a military post in the Dublin “Independent”' office, but did not explode. A revolver battle followed wi|hout casualty, tout one rebel Was captured. Ten armed men attempted to set fire to the house "of Alderman Cole in Dublin. They first huddled all the inmates, including three women, into one room, 'and sprinkled the house with petrol before they withdrew. The Fire Brigade prevented the destruction ot the' premises. Four rebels sentenced to death , in County Kerry were reprieved conditionally on the outrages ceasing. It is now believed that the executions will be carried out. A Free State report declares that neurotic girls are the adherents of the Irregulars, and are active as carriers of documents, arms, and ammunition. Some are known to accompany men on murder expeditions, concealing arms in their clothes. The, “Daily Mail’s” Dublin correspondent states that a document widely circulated and signed by two women, Mrs: Despard and Mrs M'Bride, alleges the wholesale torture of rebel prisoners to extract information. President Cosgrave, in an interview, described this. as another attempt to embarrass the Government. He would investigate any complaints, but pointed out that though the Free State at present held 7000 accused prisoners, only one death had resulted. A REPRISAL? HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE. LONDON, January 1. Armed men entered the house of the Misses OHanratoan, in Dublin, and ordered the occupants out. They then sprinkled, petrol everywhere, and set fixe to the house. An incendiary bomb was also thrown. Firemen, extinguished the blaze. The occupants are sisters of Michael O’Hanrahan, who was executed ip the 1916 rising, and are leading supporters of the Irregulars. The burning of'their house is evidently a reprisal tor the attack on Mr Cole’s house.