THE IRISH TURMOIL

Otago Witness, Issue 3513, 12 July 1921, Page 13

THE IRISH TURMOIL

A TRUCE ARRANGED. LONDON, July 6. Lord Midleton, Sir Maurice Dockrell, and Sir Robert Woods have returned to London. They presented Air Lloyd George with a personal report of the Dublin Conference. It is also understood that they conveyed a sealed letter from Air De Valera answering certain inquiries which the Prime Minister authorised Lord Midleton to make. Mr Massey informed the Australian Press Conference that he had not interfered directly or indirectly in the Irish question. He had been afforded opportunities of visiting Belfast, but he had declined, being unwilling to intervene in British domestic polites. General Smuts’s mission was individual, and wholly unrelated to the conference. OUTRAGES CONTINUED. LONDON, July 6. Teresa M'Anuff, a school mistress, was shot dead at her mother’s home at Newrv (Armagh). Armed men demanded her brother, whom they requested to sign a promise not to participate in ambushes. M'Anuff complied with this request. The deceased also offered to sign a similar undertaking, but she was told that. this was unnecessary. She was immediately shot. Mrs Pagan, at Drumlough, was shot in the hands and breast under similar circumstances. Her wounds are not expected to prove fatal. » Five men were tm-ien from their beds in the morning at Newhy and shot dead. One hundred armed men held up a goods train passing through a cutting on the Great Northern line in County Tyrone. They uncoupled the horse boxes, which were set running down an incline. The raiders set fire to and destroyed the remaining 16 wagons, including the mails. Lord Muskerry’s residence, Springfield Castle, was burned by an armed force. Twenty Sinn P einers, with machine guns, attempted to ambush a party of special police in Donegal. The police opened fire, killing three Sinn Feiners. CHARGE AGAINST CROWN FORCES. LONDON, July 6. An official Dublin message states : It is alleged that on July 4 the Crown Forces hauled down and seized the American flag from the residence of the United States Consul. If on investigation the offenders are discovered to be Crown employees suitable punishment will be forthcoming. 7— GENERAL SMUTS’S ADVICE. LONDON, July 6. General Smuts, speaking in London, said that the Irish question affects the whole Empire. He believed that if it is given a better atmosphere it is a solvable problem. The same problem was solved in South Africa by wisdom, forbearance, and give and take. GENERAL SMUTS’S VISIT. LONDON, July 7. The King received General Smuts in audience. General Smuts reported on the result of his recent visit to Ireland. It is understood that General Smuts is not too hopeful, believing that the extremists hold sway and that they will refuse to recede from their demand for a Republic. They do not appear anxious to find a middle course. HOSTILITIES CEASE AT NOON. LONDON, July 8. _ Downing Street announces that hostilities in Ireland will cease on Monday. Air De Valera has written to Mr Lloyd George as follows:—“1 am ready to meet and discuss the basis on which the proposed conference can reasonably hope to achieve the object desired.’’ General Sir Nevil Maeready (Irish Com-mander-in-Chief) visited Dublin Mansion House and had a conference with Air De Valera. Later the Irish Bulletin in a special edition announced that the expected truce had been arranged, to take effect cn Alonday. AUTONOMY FOR ULSTER. LONDON, July 8. “ If the British Government desires a peaceful solution based on. right and justice they will find no lack of good-will

on the part of the Irish people,’’ said Mr De Valera. ' That is the substance of an important statement. Air De Valera added : “ The republic is prepared to give N orth-east Ulster such autonomy as she desires and is just.” He denies that there is an irreconcilable element among the Sinn Fein Party. Neither had there been even a slight difference of opinion on policy among the members of the Bail Eirann. There was nothing in the Republican Constitution to prevent new proposals from Great Britain with regard to political relations being put before the Irish people. THE CONFERENCE NEGOTIATIONS. LONDON, July 8. A conference to-day supplied Air De Valera with the information which he required. The indications (which admittedly are vague) from Government quarters show, that Lord Alidleton will intimate the lines of a settlement. They must harmonise with the Act establishing a Parliament in Belfast. It is expected that Air De Valera will reply with a counter-pro-posal. The question of an intermediary smoothing path is again mooted in some quarters. Everywhere' men are looking for a. sign of ‘ better times. A truce (official or unofficial) would provide a clear sign. The King gave an a-udience to Sir James Craig. The Sinn Feiners and Southern Unionists resumed the conference at Dublin? A crowd outside knelt in the streets and recited a rosary for the conference’s success. AVHAT LED TO THE TRUCE. LONDON, July 8. Official arrangements are being made for hostilities to cease at noon on Monday. The arrangement was in consequence of the following correspondence: Mr Llovd George, writing to Lord Alidleton on July 7, said : The Government fully realises it is impossible to conduct negotiations with any hope of satisfactory results if there is bloodshed and violence in Ireland. It disturbs the atmosphere and has made the attainment of peace difficult. As soon as I hear that Air De Valera is prepared to enter into a conference with the British Government and has given instructions to those under his control to cease their acts of violence, we shall give instructions to the troops and police to cease their activities and operations against those engaged in this unfortunate conflict. Air De Valera said: The desire you express on the part of the British Government to end the centuries of conflict between the two people of these two islands and to establish relations of neighbourly harmony is the genuine desire of the people of Ireland. I have consulted my colleagues and secured the views of the representatives of the minority of our nation in regard to the invitation you sent, and desire to say that I am ready to meet you to discuss on what basis such a conference as that proposed can reasonably hope to achieve the desired object. Air De Valera notified the conference of the terms of his letter. Afr Lloyd George’s letter was also read in the House of Commons. AUXILIARIES AND CIVILIANS FRATERNISE. LONDON, July 9. The Irish truce, although officially commencing on Alonclav, has already begun. In Dublin the military patrols have been withdrawn and the auxiliary police are fraternising with civilians, amicably discussing the prospects. Lord Alidleton, interviewed, said the feeling outside the conference was overwhelmingly in favour of a settlement. The Dublin conference was arranged for the purpose of bridging certain difficulties and creating a favourable atmosphere and he thought these objects- had' been accomplished. Lord Alidleton was received in audience by the King. A FATEFUL CONFERENCE. LONDON, July 9. Air Lloyd George will preside at the fateful conference, which will he between the Government and Sinn Sein only, and expected to be held during the week. The Sunday Express says that no line of policy has been decided upon by the Government, which will welcome ali suggestions from Ulster and the South. An important line of thought favours the establishment of two distinct dominions in the North and South, with reservations on the questions of foreign affairs and defence, and the retention of a voluntary linking council as a consultative body. Air De Valery has issued a proclamation that “ in the negotiations now initiated your representatives will do their utmost to secure a just and peaceful termination of the struggle, but the history and character of the issue to be decided are a warning against undue confidence. Should force be resumed against our nation you i)ilust be ready to do your part once more to resist. Thus alone will you secure the final abandonment of force, and the acceptance of justice and reason as an arbiter.” INSTRUCTION TO EACH SIDE. LONDON, July 9. An official report from Dublin states that Air De Valera has instructed his supporters, firstly, to cease attacks on the Crown forces and civilians; secondly, to prohibit the use of arms ; thirdly, to cease military manoeuvres; fourthly, to abstain from interference with public and private property; fifthly, to discountenance and prevent any action likely to cause a disturbance of peace which might necessitate military interference. Tho Government has issued the following instruction : —Firstly, raids and

searches shall cease; secondly, military activity shall be restricted to the support of the police in normal civil duties ■ thirdly, curfew restrictions shall be removed j fourthly, the despatch of reinforcements from England is suspended ; fifthly police functions in Dublin shall be carried on by Dublin metropolitan police. The above instructions come into force at noon on Monday. DR MANNIX IN TOKIO. NEW YORK, July 9. The Chicago Tribune’s T okio correspondent reports that Dr Alannix has arrived. 1I e visited a sister of the late Air Terence M'Swiney, who is a teacher in a local convent. Dr Alannix said: “There can be no truth in any report of peace in Ireland, unless the British Government announces complete Irish independence.”