THE IRISH QUESTION

Otago Witness, Issue 3517, 9 August 1921, Page 17

THE IRISH QUESTION

MR DE VALERA’S MOVEMENTS. LONDON, August 1. In addressing the Trade Union Congress at the Mansion House, Dublin, Mr De Valera referred to the support which he had received for the Irish cause from Labour in America and elsewhere. He declared that ho had made no arrangements regarding future visits to London. COMPE XSATION AWARDED. LONDON, August 1. Mr Justice Samueis, at the Belfast Assizes, awarded £250,000 as compensation for 230 houses which were ournt at Lisburn as a reprisal for the murder of a Royal Irish Constabulary inspector. BELFAST EX-SERVICE MEX. LONDON. August 1. The Belfast Ex-service Men’s Association resolved to convert the association into a Territorial force under military officers. UTMOST SECRECY OBSERVED. LONDON, August 2. The utmost secrecy prevails over the events in Dublin. Undoubtedly the British

Government’s proposals entailed some communication between the political forces of Mr De Valera, and those of Ulster before the basis for an liish Federal Constitution could he drafted. Possibly the absence of such conversations is accountable for the delay; or, on the other hand, it may be that Mr De Va'esra finds a difficulty in composing the divergencies between the moderates and the extremists within the Sinn Fein movement, especially m regard to dropping the republicans’ aspirations. Replying to questions in the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain said that it had been agreed between the Prime Minister and Air De Valera that if the negotiations failed reasonable notice of the termination of the truce would oe given. He said that the Prime Minister was not prepared to m%ke a statement relative to the terms offered the Sinn Fein. Ha hoped to make a public statement before the prorogation of Parliament. WIDOW'S EXECUTION It EGA I.LED. LONDON, August 3. The Morning Post is featuring the case of Mrs Lindsay. It states that her relatives received a letter from the Smn Fein Minister of Defence (Air Burgess) announcing her execution because she was a spy. Airs Lindsay was a widow, aged 70, and was held a prisoner for months before she was killed. She was forced to write a letter to Sir Xevil Alacready (Commander of the Forces in Ireland) asking for a reprieve for several Sinn Feiners, saying that if they were executed lier life would be forfeited. It is believed that she was executed as soon as the Sinn Feiners were executed. Die Morning Post says that it is an analogous case to that of Nurse Caveil, though it points out that the latter was tried according to the rules of a court of justice. It bitterly comments on the changed attitude of the British Government in negotiating with Mr De Valera, who, it says, is the head of a gang of assassins which perpetrates these unspeakable barbarities. _ In the House of Commons the SolicitorGeneral for Ireland, replying to a question, said that Airs Lindsay had warned the Crown Forces of a possible ambush. No action was being taken, owing to the truce, to discover her murderers. TRIBUT ES TO SIR JAAIES CRAIG. LONDON. August a. Air Austen Chamberlain, in presenting Sir James Craig and his wife ,vith gifts of plate from 300 members of tile House of Commons in recognition of his attainment to the Ulster Premiership, said that so far as that Parliament was concerned it would uphold Ulster's liberty to the best of its power. Sir James Craig's every effort was in the interests of peace and prosperity in Ireland, north and south, of whatever class or creed. Lord Birkenhead, referring to pre-war controversies, declared that there was nothing that Sir James Craig had done or said which he would not repeat if the risks to Ulster were repeated. Sir .James Craig, replying, said that whatever side the others might take or had refused ever to take, he would never take any hut the side of Great Br tain and tlie Empire. SPECIAL SESSION OF BAIL El RE ANN. LONDON, August 4. A special session of the Dail Eireann has been summoned for August 16 to discuss the peace proposals. Those invited include 39 members who are still imprisoned. : August 6. : Mr Denis Henry, K.C., has been api pointed Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, i All the members of the Dail Eireann ; in custody will be released forthwith, except Al'Keon who was convicted in June of the murder of Inspector M'Grath. l It is understood that Ministerial circles , expect that the Dail Eireann will accept provisionally Mr Lloyd George's teims * but difficulty may arise over the machinery for unifying Ireland. Sir James Craig (Premier of the North of Ireland) steadily refuses Air De Valera's invitation to confer with him in Dublin, but is ready to attend a conference in London in which the British Government will participate. Mr I)e Valera’s object in inviting him to confer is to discuss unification to enable Mr De Valera to act for Ireland as a whole in any further negotiations with Air Lloyd George. Ulster refuses to co-operate in unifying Ireland, fearing that it may drive Ulster out of the United Kingdom. Ulster’s attitude may result in the Dail Eireann’s refusal to "allow Air De Valera to narticipate in a triangular conference in London. EFFORTS TO PREJUDICE ULSTER. LONDON, August 4. The Daily Telegraph’s Belfast correspondent says that Sir Janies Craig has hitherto not received any invitation to confer with Air De Valera, though such 0 expected shortly in view of tile Sinn Feiners’ known anxiety for another meeting before replying to Air Llovd George. The efforts to prejudice Ulster by a report of her rejection of the 1 <nvernment’s proposal', has aroused considerable resentment. Ulster’s position is unchanged and will remain so until Air De Valera replies. Though Ulster dislikes autonomy in any part of Ireland, this will not be a stumbling block to final peace. If the South accepts autonomy, Ulster will have the right to demand reconsideration of her financial position. Her share of the Imperial liabilities, 44 per cent. of £18.000,000 for each of the first two years, was fixed during the inflated war time prosperity. She is now feeling the world»vids Bide depression. The Government denies a rumour that is current that Ulster refused to consider the Government’s proposals, and adds that it has not put any proposals before the Northern Cabinet.