THE IRISH PROBLEM

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 24

THE IRISH PROBLEM

(By Cable.) LONDON, September 16. The Times, in a leader, says that the suppression of the Dail Eirann (the Sinn Fein Parliament) opens up an appalling vista of provocation and retaliation. Both sides are vieing in merely physical endurance, and are building up a heritage of most bitter memories. That Ireland is on the verge of civil war is a bitter commentary on British good faith, for which the Prime Minister and his colleagues must bear the chief blame. In Dublin the worst feature of the situation is the sullen apathy of the more moderate and responsible element, partly due to the belief that the Government is inspired in its actions from Ulster. The Daily Mail's Ulster correspondent has interviewed Mr Arthur Griffith, M.P., who said that Lord French's proclamation was only amusing. -"The Government," he said, " cannot suppress 73 members of Parliament. If the bayonet and the bullet are to rule, it is intended that they shall get the bayonet and the bullet in return. We are ready for any move."

A DARING ROBBERY. LONDON, September 16. Six armed and masked men robbed the officials of the Cork Lunatic Asylum of £ISOO in the presence of an apathetic crowd, and escaped on bicycles. THE TERRORISTS. DUBLIN, September 16. The police are having such difficulty in tracing the secret organisation responsible for outrages that it is evident the terrorists arc a very limited body numerically, but the fear inspired is very widespread. In one case a girl gave water to a dying officer and loosened his tunic. A boycott followed, and it was necessary to remove the girl to England. In disaffected areas 10 police are necessary if the barracks are to be regarded as safe, and the building must be heavily sand-bagged against assault.

ASSEMBLIES PROHIBITED. LONDON, September 20. A Military Order issued in Ireland prohibits all assemblies, including fairs and markets, in the county of Tipperary and part of the county of Galway. The Times political correspondent saya that Mr Lloyd George proposes to take the Irish question in hand. He has summoneoVLord French to London. The Prime Minister finds that the problem is now more difficult than it was. three i months ago. The Nationalists' temper is sullen and exasperated, whilst the crop of crimes has thrown even the most moderate Unionist back upon the immovable policy of law and order,

NEW YORK, September IS. Lord Decies, interviewed, said the talk about forming a republic of Ireland was a farce; It would start civil war between north and south. The recent outrages had retarded the settlement of the Irish question for 20 years. Ireland to-day was the most prosperous country in the world. The Irish question would seem easier of solution if the Irishmen themselves would unite. RAID ON NEWSPAPERS. LONDON, September 17. The military raided the offices of the Cork Examiner and removed essential portions of the printing machinery. It is understood that this action was due to the paper publishing an advertisement in connection with the Sinn Fein Republican loan.

September 20. The military at Dublin Maided and suppressed the following four newspapers : Griffiths organ Irish Nationality, New Ireland, The Republic, and Voice of Labour. • n September 21. The suppression of the Irish papers, was due to the publication of the prospectus of the Sinn Fein national loan. It is believed that all will be revived shortly, as the authorities are willing to restore the essential parts of the presses seized recently. September 23. A party of military raided the Limerick Leader, "a Nationalist tri-weeldy paper, dismantled the machinery, and suppressed the paper.

THE CONSTABULARY. LONDON, September 21. The Irish constabulary has been armed ■with hand grenades.' Owing to Sinn Fein attacks, cons tables have been withdrawn from isolated posts.

BUILDING HOUSES. LONDON, September 21

It is announced that the Development Company is prepared to advance £150,000,000 in Joans to enable Irish municipalities to build hcuses for the working classes. The company now proposes to expend many more millions in constructing three new shipbuilding yards at Dublin. PRESIDENT WILSON'S VIEWS. SAN FRANCISCO, September 17. President Wilson, in a statement, says that the Irish case was not heard at Pari*. The Allies had not the power to decide a question affecting territories which did not belong to the defeated empires- The Irish question, however, could be decided under Article 2 of the League of Nations Covenant. The United States had power to recognise any Government whose people seeks to achieve, or who have achieved, independence from a member of- the league.