IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18723, 29 November 1922, Page 7

IRELAND

REBEL ACTIVITIES. RAIDS AND AMBUSHES. S FIGHTING IN NEWPORT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 27. The Nationals have been active in County Kerry. They captured a number of prominent Irregulars. The rest of the country is fairly quiet; but an ambush in County Wexford resulted in seven Nationals being wounded. Armed men raided the houses of rate collectors in County Sligo, taking the books and large sums of money. One Free Slater was killed and one wounded in removing a road mine near Cork. Dublin has been quiet since Friday, and with the exception cf desultory firing there have been no engagements on a large scale.—The Times. Free State headquarters reports:—Five Free State soldiers were killed in fighting at Newport (Tipperary). The Irregulars’ casualties were heavy. They included two leaders (Dr Madden and Brigadier Moane). A National patrol was ambushed in Dublin on Saturday night. It returned the fire, and one attacker was killed.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ERSKINE CHILDERS’S HISTORY. LONDON, November 27. At the conclusion of his trial, Erskine Childers wrote an account of his life.— The Times. THE ORLY SAFEGUARD. ’ EXECUTION OF REBELS. FREE STATE STANDS FIRM. LONDON, November 27. Mr Cosgrave, interviewed, said that the Dail E’ireaim anticipated the gravest disorders. He stated that the policy of execution of rebels was the only safeguard and would be carried out rigorously. Concerning the report that Air Timothy Healy (a former Nationalist member of the House of Commons) is to be GovernorGeneral of the Irish Free State, the Dublin correspondent of The Times says that the question of his appointment has been considered by the Provisional Government for several months past, and it is now left for Mr Healy to accept or decline the office.—A. and N.Z. Cable. MILITARY PROBLEM. THE END IN SIGHT. „ MR COSGRAVE CONFIDENT. LONDON, November 28. (Received Nov. 28, at 11.50 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle had an interview with Mr Cosgrave, who said: “I believe the end of the military problem is in sight. The warfare will gradually collapse. I have a chance of being shot down, but that makes no difference. Jf we thought we could establish peace without executions we would do so, but I am afraid there will have to be further executions before the trouble is ended. They have already had their effect. If the Irregulars will "offer to surrender their arms now I will persuade the Cabinet to stop the executions.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. IRISH CONSTITUTION BILL. SECOND READING IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, November 28. In the House of Commons, the Irish Constitution Bill was read a second time without a division.—A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received Nov. 28, at 8.45 p.m.) Air Ronald M'Neill (Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) repudiated the charge that he had taken office in order to ratify the Treaty. He had made it perfectly clear months ago that while he regarded the policy of the Treaty as disastrous and indefensible, he recognised the mischief had been done, and consequently Parliament had no choice but to pass it. Captain Craig, voicing Ulster’s opinion, said ho regarded the Treaty as a most dangerous document. He aid not agree with the rosy prophecies made by Air Saklatvala. He moved the rejection of the Bill, contending that the Treaty was based on coercion and signed under stress. The only cure for Irish wrongs was the genuine right of self-determination. He would be no party to the Treaty, which was a greater mockery than the Act of Union. Air A. E. Newbould (Liberal) seconded the rejection. • Sir J. G. Butcher contended that the Bill did not enact the terras of the Treaty and it ought to be amended. — A. and N.Z. Cable. The Constitution debate was interrupted by Air J. M. Ken worthy moving the adjournment. Mr Bonar Law moved the closure. Air Kcnworthv’s motion was rejected by 292 votes to 162.—A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received Nov. 28, at 11.50 p.m.) Air J. AC Hogge, replying to criticisms, said Article 3 created a status hitherto unknown to the British Constitution. In any dominion, whether thev went to Australia or Canada for a parallel, they would find that British subjects were sometimes not granted the rights of franchise or the privileges of citizenship. Mr Bonar Law, replying to a question, said he agreed that the Constitution entitled the Free State to separate representation on the League of Nations. The Bill was read a second time.—A. and N.Z. Cable. PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH. ENDORSED BY LABOUR AND LIBERALS. “DIEIIARDS”’ NOTE OF DISCORD. LONDON, November 27. (Received Nov. 28, at 7.40 p.m.) Air Bonar Law, in moving the second reading of the Free State, Constitution Bill, said that everyone desired that the Treaty bo given a chance. The Lord Chief Justice and the law officers were of the opinion that the Constitution was in accordance with the Treaty. He recommended the Bill to the House. He did not express fear regarding the result, and hoped that the Constitution in every , way would be successful. Air Bonar Law said the Free State must work out its own salvation, hut he hoped it would have the moral support that Great Britain had never had in the last 700 years, and the two countries might then enjoy good relations. Britain must not give any excuse to the people of Ireland for thinking that she was not fulfilling her part. Air Cosgrave had told him that ‘‘whatever happens, the people of Ireland are determined on peace with Great Britain.” Not only neutrals like himself but opponents of the Treaty would rejoice as whole-heartedly as the supporters if the Treatv were successful. Air Ram say Macdonald associated himself entirely with the Prime Minister’s speech, and shared tbo hope that the Treaty would bring good-will and happiness to the spirit of conciliation which past experiments in governing Ireland had failed to produce. He hoped that there would never he any attempt lo define in rigid legal form the relationship between the dominions. He was struck by tho extraordinary number of new democratic experiments that the Irish Government proposed to make. Colonel J. Gretton asked with whom the Treaty was made. There was a large bodv in Ireland who did not accept it as the final settlement of the Irish question. Sir John Simon warmly supported tho Bill on behalf of the Independent Liberals. He said there was a real element of confidence and hope in tho fact that the Constitution was drafted by Irishmen. —A. and N.Z. Cable.