IRISH TURMOIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 15

IRISH TURMOIL

STATEMENT BY SIR DENIS HENRY. LONDON, June 7. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Sir Denis Henry (AttorneyGeneral for Ireland) stated that ten houses which were owned or frequented by members of the Republican Army were burned in reprisal for the murder of Fetter in April. ENFORCING THE LAW. LONDON, June 7. A Dublin court-martial sentenced two priests (Gaynor and ATKenns) to six months' imprisonment for having Sinn Fein documents in their home. Patrick M'Cormick was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for having a revolver and cartridges in his possession. Eileen AFGrane, a Master of Arts, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for being in possession of six revolvers and ammunition. Thev were found in her flat. LONDON, -June 7. Alitchell was executed at Dublin. F'oley and Alaher were also executed for the murder of a constable two years ago. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. LONDON, June 7. De \ r alera lias issued a statement denying the allegation that during the rebellion he avoided execution by declaring himself an .American citizen. THE SINN FEIN CAMPAIGN. LONDON, June 7. Alasked men shot two men named Chanlon and Smith dead near C’amlough. They were branded as spies. Armed men burned down Ballvcrovane and Ballydonegan coastguard stations. A military encircling movement around Alill street, aeroplanes "acting as scouts, resulted in a. sharp conflict with a large party of armed rebels, of whom three were killed, 12 wounded, and over 100 taken prisoner, with full equipment. The military casualties were slight. SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE. LONDON, June 3. Sinn Feiners are systematically cutting telephone, telegraph, and railway signal wires around London and Liverpool. Two hundred telegraph wires were cut. Armed men in disguised and unnumbered motor cars carried out outrages in London. Scotland Yard officers engaged in a thrilling pursuit during the small hours, but without avail. Several arrests were made in Liverpool after firing on the police. ULST E R PA R LIA AIE NT. THE AIINISTR~Y~ ANNOUNCED. LONDON, June 7. The Northern Parliament was opened at Belfast in the council chamber of the City Hall, in the presence of a distinguished company. None of the Sinn Fein ci Nationlist members attended. Tile Viceroy (Lord Fitzalan), replying to an address of welcome, said that he came among them at a momentous time m Irish history. He joined in a desire for peace and goodwill, and hoped that that day’s events would be the forerunner of happiness and prosperity for Ireland. Air Robert Hugh O’NeiH'lAI.P. for Arid Antrim in the British House of Commons) was unanimously elected Speaker. The members "took the oath at the table which was used by Speaker Foster, the last Speaker of the Irish House of Commons in 1799. Sir Janies Craig, Prime Afinister, announced the constitution of his Cabinet as follows : Sir Dawson Bates, Home Secretary. Mr H. AI. Pollock, Minister of Finance. The Marquis of Londonderry, Minister of Education. Air J. Al. Andrews, Alinister of Labour. Air F. A. Archdale, Alini-ter of Agriculture. Sir James Craig announced that the King would officially open the Parliament on June 22. Sir Hamar Greenwood, in writing to Sir James Craig, regretting his inability to attend the opening of the Ulster Parliament, which he describes as an historic, decisive, and beneficent event in the history of the United Kingdom and the Empire, added: You are now a full partner in a selfgoverning Empire. I look forward to the time when Southern Ireland will also enter into full partnership in our great commonwealth of nations. Irishmen have now the power to settle their own affairs, and to bring peace and prosperity to their own country. I join with the whole English-speaking world in hoping that success will crown your efforts.

There were inspiring scenes at tlie official services of intercession for the new Parliament which were held in the Belfast churches. Sir James Craig, many Unionist members, the Lord Mayor, and members of the corporation attended the cathedral service. The Primate (the Most Rev. C. F. Darcy), who preached, said that they held Ulster in trust for the Empire. INTRIGUE WITH RUSSIA. LONDON, June 9. A draft agreement between the Irish Republic and the Russian Government was seized at Dublin, and has now been published by the British Government in a White Paper. It shows that each party agreed to promote world-wide recognition of each other’s sovereignty, and to foster mutual trade, with a percentage of arms and munitions for use against the enemies of cither. The Irish Office adds that Air AFCartan, Sinn Fein M.P., now in Russia, will act as the diplomatic representative of the Irish Republic. ROUNDING UP GUNAIEN. LONDON, June 10. Six armed men attacked three police in Belfast. Constable Glover was shot dead, and the others and a civilian were severely wounded. The assailants escaped. The casualties among the Crown Forces last week were the highest since 1916. They comprise 16 police and eight military killed, and 19 and 24 respectively wounded. The Crown Forces made hundreds of arrests during a big round-up of Sinn Feiners in Monaghan County, including several noted gunmen, some of whom were taken from their beds. OPERATION OF HO ATE RULE ACT. LONDON, June 12. The Sunday Express states that the Government intends to fix a time limit for Sinn Fein to operate the Home Rule Act in Southern Ireland. If Sinn Fein is recalcitrant, the Government will, at the end of July, begin a vigorous military campaign to suppress the disorder.