IRISH TURMOIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18562, 24 May 1922, Page 5

IRISH TURMOIL

BELFAST REIGN OF TERROR FUETHER ASSASSINATIONS. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, May 22. A Belfast telegram states that the reign of terror continues. Mr Twaddell, an Ulster member of Parliament and a prominent Orangeman, was assassinated in the street to-day, when -50 yards from his shop. His assailants escaped. A most powerful infernal machine charged with high explosive was discovered in a cable box in the Corn Market. Mr Ballantine (formerly head constable in the R.I.C) was shot dead on Sunday at Raphoe (Donegal), in the presence of his family. Mr Ballantine returned home only ’on Saturday after his disbandment, in order to remove his family and furniture out of the Irish Free State. —A. and N.Z. Cable. RESTORATION OF ORDER. BRITISH GOVERNMENT COOPERATING. LONDON, May 22. (Received May 25, at 5.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons Mr Churchill announced that Hie Government was cooperating with the Northern Parliament in restoring order. Four additional battalions were landed in Ulster on Saturday, and further reinforcements and ammunition would be sent if necessary.— A. and N. Z. Cable. MURDER Oh' MR TWADDELL DENUNCIATION OF THE CRIME. LONDON, May 23. . (Received May 23, at 8.10 p.m.) The casualties in Belfast on Monday were five killed and 13 wounded, including a woman aged 60. The city seethed with a murderous spirit after the murder of Mr Twaddell. though Sir Jas. Craig’s manifesto eased the situation. Firing continued in various areas of the city, the victims of the assassins belonging to both religions. Mr Griffith has published a statement denouncing the crime, declaring that the ’ murder of Mr Twaddell strikes at the foundations of representative government, and that the honour of the Irish nation is concerned—A. and N.Z. Cable. THE MANIFESTO. APPEAL FOR RESTRAINT AND " SELF-CONTROL. , GOVERNMENT’S PLANS COMPREHENSIVE. LONDON, May 22. (Received May 23, at 8.10 p.m.) Sir James Craig, in his manifesto, says : “Regarding the foul assassination of Mr Twaddell, one of the moat able, courageous, and esteemed members of the Northern Parliament, I have summoned a special meeting of Cabinet and all the authorities dealing with law and order. Such an event demands swift retribution. Mr Twaddell was murdered solely because of his loyalty to the Empire and his devotion to the cause of Ulster, but his colleagues will carry on. Some may imagine that this horrible crime demands unlicensed retaliation. Let justice and retribution rest with the Higher Authority. Let the people rally round the established Government and prevent our province from plunging Into a welter of crime and bloodshed. I appeal to all sections of the community exercise every restraint, to bear themselves like Ulstermen, and show the world at large that, while filled with unspeakable indignation, they remain unshaken, undismayed, and self-controlled. I address the Ulster Parliament to-morrow. The public will realise that the Governplans are sufficiently comprehensive to meet any eventuality.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ORGANISED WAR. UNRULY REPUBLICAN ARMY. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY. LONDON, May 23. (Received May 23, at 8.10 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle in a leading article entitled “Ulster Peril,” says: “The murder of Mr Twaddell and the burnings and looting in County Antrim and County Down have revealed a new .phase—organised war agayist Ulster. The- agreement between Mr Collins and Sir Jas. Craig has broken down owing to the failure of the Provisional Government to impose its will on the Republican army. The murders and destruction during the week-end are sinister acts of war. The Southern Government must take the necessary measures. Mr Griffith and Mr Collins must condemn these outrages with unmistakable frankness. .The only justification for the agreement with Mr de Valera is that they should use their undivided influence with Sinn Fein to discontinue the war against the North and call to heel the unruly Republican army. —A. and N.Z. Cable. THE COALITION. PRESS COMMENT. MAIN ISSUES SHIRKED. PEOPLE OF IRELAND BETRAYED. LONDON, May 21. The Sunday Observer says: The Irish Treaty is in graver danger than at anytime since it was signed. In effect the agreement is nearly a complete surrender of the pro-treaty to the anti-treaty party. The main issues have been shirked. The price of Sinn Fein unity is the silencing cf the people’s voice. No opposition has a chance against Sinn Fein. The new coalition has artistically stereotyped' the present position ip such a way that a majority of the electorate must be stifled. Either the coalition will hold together on the basis of renewed united hostility to Britain and Ulster, or it is a more grotesque sham than the Ardfheis agreement of February. In either case the Irish people have suffered betrayal. We fear that the future of Ireland has been sacrificed to the interests of party. We fear that Mr Collins is ? not big enough, and that he has found the risk of war with the North a'more comfortable risk for the Sinn Feiner than the assertion of democracy for Southern Ireland.—A. and N.Z. Cable. r The Times in a leading article commenting on the Irish agreement, says: No Government in Ireland can be established on a permanent basis unless it will cpnform to the principles of the Peace Treaty. In view of the new agreement the Parliament and people of England are entitled to a prompt and definite explanation of an event that, has not been explained. It appears to menace the only foundations on which a final Anglo-Irish settlement is practicable.—Times.