IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18787, 14 February 1923, Page 7

IRELAND

POSITION SUMMARISED. THE GOVERNMENT SATISFIED. REBELS TIRED OF FIGHTING.

Pre«« Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 12 % Mr Cosgrave, interviewed by the Daily Mail, elaborated his statement that if Mr de Valera is ready to advise bis followers to surrender their arms conditionally on the question of a Free >State or a. Republic being submitted to the electors, said : "The new franchise lists will be ready next June or .July. We shall then Do

more than willing to let the question be fought out on a system of proportional representation. Mr de Valera would not win a seat in any part of Ireland. Ilia following is actually very small. There is no place in Ireland where he can hold up Ilia head and address a meeting.

“We have abundant evidence that the Irregulars are tired, and that the country wants lo settle down. We have had a communication from the Irregulars in the West declaring that they do not recognise Mr do Valera as President of the Republic. During the past two months there have been frequent overtures from the rebels, but the Government has stood firm for the surrender of arms and the recognition o c the treaty.

“The Government is getting more troops than arc required, and it is perfectly satisfied from a military point of view. The situation in the country is becoming more normal, and relations between the Government and Labour are amicable, particularly a,s regards the employment and housing questions. ’ —A. and N.Z. Cable.

REBELS IN BELFAST.

SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE. LONDON, February 12. The police at Belfast made a series of raids on the Sinn Fein quarters. It is reported that they secured plans for the destruction of various public buildings. Four arrests were made.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

A PLAGUE OF BLOODSHED.

PEOPLE TERRORISED INTO SILENCE. LONDON, February 12. Cardinal Loguo (Archbishop of Armagh), in a Lenten pastoral, in which he states that it will probablv be his last, says: “A plague of bloodshed, destruction”, pillage, rapine, and robbery has invaded a part of my diocese with a virulence winch leaves in the shade even the meet outrageous excesses of the Black-and-Tans. The country is not likely to emerge for centuries from the depths of ruin and devastation to which it has been reduced. The people at present are inarticulate, and are terrorised into silence.”—A. and N.Z. Gable.

REBEL FRIGHTFULNESS.

A COLD-BLOODED MURDER, LONDON, February 12. Dr Thomas O'Higgins, father of the Free State Minister of Home Affairs, was shot dead at his home at Maryborough. Dr o’Higgins admitted the leader of a band of seven armed men on the pretext that he wanted to see a document. The leadei then rushed out, shouting “Fire,” and hia companions rushed in and riddled Dr O’Higgins with bullets. Rebels blew up the barracks of the Civic Guards at the Skerries (near Dublin) after the occupants had been ordered out.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

REPUBLICAN HEADQUARTERS. RAIDED IN DUBLIN. SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE. LONDON, February 12 (Received Feb. 13, at 7.20 p.m.) Detectives raided the Republican headquarters in Dublin and seized documents. They arrested Professor Braun and Misses Mary M’Swiney, Kathleen Barry, and Mrs Clarke.—A. and N.Z. Cable.