CHAOS IN IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18515, 28 March 1922, Page 5

CHAOS IN IRELAND

SHADOW OF CIVIL WAR PROMPT ACTION NECESSARY FRONTIER A POWDER MAGAZINE. POSITION FULL OF PERIL. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 26. Irish events have thrust the political crisis into the background. The Northern Cabinet has been summoned to discuss the invitation to London on Monday. Meanwhile Sir James Craig telegraphed to Mr Churchill giving his assurance of earnest consideration of Downing Street’s hopes for the successful outcome of a new conference based on the British Government’s firm determination to avert the terrible shadow of civil war, together with the Prime Minister’s opportune recovery and return. Some well-informed quarters axe hinting that Mr Lloyd George is speeding back to London because he is keenly desirous of attempting the role of mediator between North and South. Unfortunately, these optimistic assumptions must lead to the conjecture that the Irish situation is precarious, and that events seem to be hastening from bad to worse. A correspondent describes the position as being full of peril 2 which only prompt action can avert. The Sunday Observer’s correspondent, who is touring in the danger zone, telegraphs ; Animosities were never so keen. Unless something is done a sanguinary outbreak is inevitable. Active military preparations are going on along the northern frontier. Bridges are being blown up, roads are blocked, and troops are drilling through the belief (which the correspondent thinks is not justified) that the Southern Irish Republican army is secretly massing troops some distance from the border for another extensive raid. The same paper’s Belfast correspondent thinks that the Northern Cabinet is certain to accept the London invitation, being sincerely anxious to restore peace.—A. and N.Z. Cable. BARBAROUS OUTRAGES. MACMAHON SALOON . MURDERS. CIVILISED WORLD SHOCKED. LONDON, March 26. The Times says editorially: “We are appalled at the awful murder of a Roman Catholic family in Belfast. The civilised world recoils horror-stricken before the lengthening tale of barbarous outrages which have disgraced Ireland, North and South alike, during the last three years.” —Times. BELFAST DISORDERS. THREE MORE MURDERS. LONDON, March 26. (Further shooting occurred in Belfast this morning. Margaret Savage was killed by a bullet .which entered through a window at her residence. An ex-soldier was found murdered |in the street. Mr Scott, a Loyalist, while feeding his cattle on the Caiedon-Aughnacloy sector . of the frontier, was killed by snipers.— A. and N.Z. Cable. CONTINUED SNIPING. MANY CASUALTIES REPORTED. LONDON, March 27. (Received March 27, at 5.5 p.m.) Sniping was continued in Belfast till a late hour. There were many casualties, including a woman who was wounded while in her shop in Albert street. Crown forces appeared in armed cars and fired, killing two and wounding others. —A. and N.Z. Cable. CAMPAIGN OF OUTRAGES. PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOLHOUSE BLOWN UP. LONDON, March 26. The Presbyterian tichoolhouse in Raphael street, Belfast, was blown up, while a produce merchant’s extensive -premises were destroyed by fire. Two bridges at Carrickmore were blown up.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ORANGE HEADQUARTERS SEIZED. LONDON, March 26Forty men who were identified as workmen who had been expelled from Belfast seized the Orange headquarters, a large building in Parnell square, Dublin, and ejected the occupants. —A. and N.Z. Cable. I.R.A. CONVENTION. DAIL EIREANN CABINET DEFIED. ALLEGIANCE TO REPUBLIC. DRASTIC BOYCOTT OF BELFAST. LONDON, March 26. The I.R.A. Convention assembled in the Mansion House in defiance of the Dail Eireann Cabinet's prohibition. Two hundred delegates from commands in revolt attended. The utmost secrecy was preserved regarding the proceedings.—A. and N.Z. Cable. The Convention confirmed its allegiance to the republic. It was decided to boycott Belfast drastically.—A. and N.Z. Cable. COMPENSATION GRANTS. LONDON, March 25. The Estimates for services in 1322-25 show a decrease of £89,000,000, compared with the previous year; but there is an increase of £3,441,000 regarding Ireland, including a giant of £1,000,000 to the Northern Irish Exchequer towards the abnormal expenses of the Northern Irish Government arising out of the present exceptional circumstances; also £750,000 to the Northern Irish Government, being half the amount to be paid in settlement of all the Northern Irish claims on the Imperial Government for compensation in respect to loss of life and property owing to the disturbances in Ireland. Thus, iiearly £2,000,000 is included for compensation for criminal injuries to Crown employees and supporters. —A. and N.Z. Cable. SOUTHERN IRELAND. MR DE VALERA’S POSITION CHALLENGED. LONDON, March 27. (Received March 27, at 5.5 p.m.) Messrs Collins and Waterford have challenged Mr de Valera to declare his position. Mr do Valera must nubhcly repudiate the utterances of Messrs Burgess and Stack and Commandant O’Connor. Sir James Craig and his Northerners will not consider entering the Free State while the latter is divided internally. If Mr de Valera can unite the country, accept the Treaty and work for the Free State, Mr Collins will gladly stand aside—A. and N.Z. Cable.