IRISH TURMOIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18199, 21 March 1921, Page 5

IRISH TURMOIL

ARCHBISHOP BOURNE’S PASTORAL. LONDON CATHOLICS’ PROTEST, NO DICT/ATION ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS. Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 19. (Received March 20, at 5.6 p.m.) Sinn Feiners organised a meeting of London Catholics, who unanimously protested against Archbishop Bourne’s pastoral letter, and declared that no ecclesiastical dictation on political matters would be tolerated. A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the Pope, with an expression of the meeting's devoted and filial affection. Mr W. M’Carthy, the chairman, described the pastoral as grossly unfair, and cowardly, and added that while the meeting was prepared to follow Rome as regards religion, they looked to the President of the Irish Republic for their politics.*—A. and N.Z. Cable. [Archbishop Bburne’s letter, which was read in the churches on Sunday, February 13, referring to the state of Ireland, said: “Horror and outrage in aggression and repression are reported/ daily. I have grave reason to believe that some of my own flock, impelled by a legitimate love of country and an urgent longing for-the realisation of lawful aspirations, are allowing themselves to become implicated in societies which are in opposition to the laws of God. The Roman Catholic Church is in a similar danger as that which arose in London in 1867, when Cardinal Manning, burning with constant love for Ireland, uttered a needed warning. I make that warning my own. To-day the- name of Fenianism is no longer used, but the activity it connoted is still alive. _ Cardinal Manning’s denunciation applies in unchanging measure to that activity, by whatever name it is called. It may be known unerringly by its principles, teachings, and fruits. I desire Cardinal Man.ning’s words to be used continually for safeguarding my flock, and for the guidance of the clergy in the direction of individual consciences.”] PENAL SERVITUDE ABOLISHED. LONDON, March 19. (Received March 20, at 5.6 p.m.) Mr Shortt (Home Secretary) announces the abolition of the abominable term of penal servitude from the Irish criminal system.—A. and N.Z. Gable. RAIDS IN DUBLIN. SINN FEINERS ACTIVE. CIVILIANS THE CHIEF SUFFERERS. LONDON, March 19. ■ (Received March 20, at 5.5 p.m.) Sinn Fein raids in Dublin upon the post offices and other places for money, or attacks upon the military, continue daily—almost hourly,—resulting in a reign of terror. Sinn Feiners last night bombed two motor lorries, carrying soldiers, in Frederick street. The soldiers saw the intention. They shot one man in the act of throwing a bomb and escaped the danger. The soldiers then fired a volley and killed two civilians and a youth, but it is not yet known whether they were among the attackers. Several people were also arrested. The usual thing is that civilians suffer more than Sinn Feiners or soldiers in these affrays. Dublin Castle announces that/47 civilians were incidentally killed or wounded in recent attacks, compared with 25 soldiers and police in the same episodes. The authorities appeal to the public to bring pressure, to Dear upon Michael Collins, Charles 4 Burgess, and Richard Mulcahey, who were responsible for the Dublin outrages, on the ground that they were futile in results and callous in their disregard for public safety.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

FIGHTING IN VARIOUS PLACES. MORE BLOODSHED. LONDON, March 19. (Received March 20, at 11.45 p.m.) Five hundred Republicans at Upton, County Cork, attacked a military party numbering 37 soldiers. One policeman and seven Republicans were killed. Military reinforcements arrived, and a running cross-country fight ensued. Another military party was ambushed at Dungarvan. The fight lasted six hours, and one soldier and several Republicans were killed. A police patrol was ambushed at Castletownroche. Constable Elton was killed.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE EDINBURGH TRIALS. , LONDON, March 20. (Received March 20, at 11.45 p.m.) The sentences inflicted on nine out of 16 Sinn Feiners at Edinburgh range from one to five years, including Jean Quin, who was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. Five others were acquitted, and two, were found not proven.—A. and N.Z Cable. [A cable message despatched from London on March 14 stated that a sensational trial was proceeding in Edinburgh of 16 Sinn Feiners, including Jean Quinn, a young girl,_ on a charge of conspiracy to endanger life and property by means of explosives. The prisoners were manacled in threes while in the dock. The public were admitted to the courthouse by ticket. The evidence showed that explosives of high power intended to destroy bridges and railways were stored in Jean Quinn’s room.)