IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18310, 29 July 1921, Page 5

IRELAND

PEACE PROPOSALS,

GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE.

ME DE VALERA’S REPLY AWAITED.

Pr«« Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

* LONDON, July 27. It is stated in Dublin that Mr De Valera is not likely to send a reply to Mr Lloyd George this week. The explanation given is that Mr De Valera desire to consult all his colleagues. This is impossible jvhile 36 members of the Dail Eixeann are imprisoned. It is understood the release of any of these would have been ordered if Mr De Valera had expressed such a wish. Replying to a question in the House of Lords, Lord Birkenhead said that the opportunity would be given for expression of opinions on the Irish settlement proposals before Parliament prorogued. The matter contained proposals which unquestionably would be much discussed. If Ireland accepted them, the Government would either meet with the necessary support in Parliament or would consider whether or not the neqessary support would be likely to be forthcoming elsewhere. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

AN IMPORTANT JUDGMENT

MILITARY COURT’S SENTENCE.

ILLEGAL PROCEEDINGS,

LONDON, July 27. An important judgment was given by the Chancery Division. Dublin, Master of the Rolls ordering a writ of habeas corpus to deliver the body of Joseph Egan, who was sentenced to death for being in possession of ammunition. The Master of the Rolls said that Egan was tried by a military court, constituted by military officers in sbme way unknown to the law. This court h4d no legkl status whatever, and the penalty awarded, had not the sanction pi the English law. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

INTERIM REPLY BY MR DE VALERA.

LESS'FAVOURABLE THAN ANTICIPATED.

LONDON, July 27. The Central News states that Mr De Valera sent an interim reply to Cabinet to-day. It is not a final answer, but is incidental to the negotiations. It is understood tlrat it is less favourable than was anticipated.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SHAME INVOLVED IN NEGOTIATIONS. LORD SALISBURY’S VIEWS. LONDON, July 27. Lord Salisbury, in the House of Lords, in seeking a statement about Ireland, said that he was opposed to indefinite delay in the matter, “as it might be believed that we approve of the method pursued, whereas wg feel that a great shame is involved in the negotiations. We are only awaiting an official statement in order to make our position clear.” Lord Birkenhead, in replying, said that he was puzzled over the references to “shame.” He did know for whom Lord Salisbury spoke. ' Ho (Lord Birkenhead) and all his Unionist colleagues were utterly unconscious of shame, either in the negotiations or in the terms offered.— A. and N.Z. Cable.

MR DE VALERA’S* RECENT ARREST,

QUESTION IN THE COMMONS

LONDON, July 27,

Replying to a question in the House- of Commons, asking whether or not the Government was aware that Mr De Valera was captured in Dublin on June 22, and that the report of an ambush of British soldiers at Drumcondra (Countv Meath) was found upon him, Mr Chamberlain said that tlie Government was fully aware of all the documents which were found on Mr De Valera when he was arrested, but it did not propose to publish the results of the examination of such papers.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

SEAT OF NORTHERN PARLIAMENT. ARMAGH’S CLAIMS REFUSED. LONDON, July 27. (Received July ss, 5.5 p.m.) The Armagh Chamber of Commerce memorialised the Northern Government in urging the claims of the city, which is already the ecclesiastical capital, to become the seat of the Northern Parliament and also the political capital of Ireland. The official replv points out chat the Government of Ireland Act specifies Belfast as the seat of the Northern Parliament, which is final.—A. and N.Z. Cable.