IRISH FREE STATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18456, 18 January 1922, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

"FALL OF THE CASTLE.” AN HISTORIC SCENE. REMOVAL OF TROOPS. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 16. The departments of Dublin Castle were formally Landed over to the Provisional Government by Lord Fitz Alan (Lord Lieutenant of Ireland) or. behalf of the King to-day. Excited crowds numbering thousands assembled to witness the outward sign of what is termed the ‘‘Fall of the Castle.” They beguiled the tedium of waiting for the arrival of Ministers by watching the mounting of the guard for the last time. Then the crowd burst into frantic cheers when the Ministers jjrove up in motor cars and entered the castle, led by Mr Collins. An historic scene was enacted inside when Mr Collins handed Lord Fitz Alan a copy of the treaty. bearing the signatures of himself and his colleagues. Lord Fitz Alan informed the Irish Ministers that they were duly installed, and wished them every success. He said he earnestly hoped that the ideal of a happy, free, and prosperous Ireland would be attained under their auspices. The authorities are hastening _ the removal of the troops. It is officially announced that 10 infantry battalions will leave immediately. They will be followed by others as rapidly as possible.—Reuter. ANIMATED SCENES. LORD FITZALAN RECEIVES OVATION. LONDON, January 16. There were animated scenes at Dublin Castle and in the adjoining streets during the ceremony of transferring the powers of tho Castle. The members of the Provisional Government, together with the Lord Lieutenant and the heads of the Government departments, met at the Mansion House in the afternoon. The proceedings lasted for an hour. After the departure of tho permanent officials Mr Collins and the other, Ministers left the Chamber and drove off amid cheering by the crowds. The Lord Lieutenant also received an ovation. \ The evacuation of the South of Ireland will commence immediately.—A. and N.Z. Cable. INSTALLATION CEREMONY. LORD LIEUTENANT’S SPEECH. GOOD WISHES EXPRESSED. LONDON, January 16. (Received Jan. 17, at 5.5 p.m.) The British Publicity Department at Dublin Castle has issued a statement pointing out that in the Council Chamber the Lord Lieutenant received Mr Collins as the head of tho Provisional Government. Mr Collins handed him a copy of the treaty, and the other members of the Government were then introduced to the Lord Lieutenant, who congratulated Mr Collins and his colleagues. He informed them that they were now duly installed as a Provisional Government, and that in conformity with the treatv he would forthwith communicate with Ihe British Government in order that the necessary steps might be taken to transfer to the Provisional Government all the powers and machinery requisite to the discharge of its duties. He wished them every sucin the task they had undertaken, and expressed tho earnest hope that under their auspices the ideal of a happy, free, and prosperous Ireland would be attained.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE KING’S MESSAGE. HIS MAJESTY GRATIFIED. LONDON, January 16. (Received Jan. 17, at 7.20 p.m.) The King has telegraphed is follows to the Viceroy: “ I am gratified to hear of the' successful establishment o{ a Provisional Government in Ireland. I am confident you will do all in your power to help its members to accomplish the tasks lying before them.”—A. and N.Z. Cable, DELEGATION Tp LONDON. . LONDON. January 16. (Received Jan. 17, at 5.5 p.m.) Messrs E. G. Duggan and K. C. Higgins, members of the Provisional Government in Southern Ireland, are coming to London to-morrow to confer with the British Cabinet Committee, and arrange the details of the handing over.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE CIVIL SERVICE. A PRECAUTIONARY PROCLAMATION. LONDON, January 16. (Received Jan. 17, at 7.20 p.m.) The Provisional Government issued a proclamation directing the Law Courts and the State Departments to carry on their functions pending tho constitution of a Free State Parliament. The proclamation prohibits any alterations in the personnel or Salaries of the civil service or the destruction of any documents.—A, and N.Z. Cable. THE BLAGK-AND-TANS. SUGGESTED TRANSFER TO* PALEiSTINE. LONDON, Jaiiuary 16. It is understood that the British Government is considering the practicability of employing 700 officers and men of tho “ Black-and-Tans ” in police duties in Palestine. The idea is attributed to Mr Churchill.—A. and N.Z. Cable.