IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18320, 10 August 1921, Page 5

IRELAND

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. M‘KEON RELEASED. MR DE VALERA’S VIEWS. Preoa Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 8. The Sinn Fein organisation denies the reports that unless M’Keon is release a Sinn Fein will end the truce, and that the Dail Eireann will not meet to discuss the proposals. Eleven members of the Dail Eireann were released to-day. They proceeded immediately to Dublin to see Mr De Valera. M’Keon has been released. Mr De Valera, in a statement regarding the refusal to release M’Keon, says thfct he does not believe that it is a considered action on the part of the Government, but of subordinates.—A. and N.Z. Cable. LONDON, August 9. (Received August 9, at 5.5 p.m.) M’Keon says: “It is now clear that my release by the English Government is an admission that 1 am not only .. representative of the people, but that I am an officer of the Irian Republican army My release is an acceptance that my act was an act of war, therefore, it is clear that the release is a final abandonment of any claim by the enemy that the Irish war is murder. It is- clear that all my fellowsoldiers in the gaols and camps must be similarly recognised.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE CRISIS PAST. LONDON, August 8. It is understood that the decision to detain M’Keon (who has now been .eleased) was originally taken pending reference of his case to the higher authorities, legal technicalities requiring consideration. In deciding to release M’Keon, it is believed that the authorities were influenced by his, chivalrous conduct towards two cadets who fell wounded into his hands in charge of an ambush. Mr Do Valera to-night, before he knew the above decision, said: “If his detention is persisted in, I cannot accept the responsibility for proceeding further with the negotiations. M’Keon typifies 6’ earthing for which we fought. The whole of the Irish people are proud of him, and regard him as a soldier and a patriot.