CHAOS IH IRELAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3557, 16 May 1922, Page 17

CHAOS IH IRELAND.

EVACUATION OF DUBLIN. LONDON, May 7. The first effect of the truce appears to be placidity throughout the South of Ireland, which was joyfully welcomed by the unfortunate and nerve-jarred country folk, who for months past have lived in terror and distress; secondly, the release of all military prisoners by both sides; thirdly, the evacuation of Dublin port*and dock offices. The latter was particularly welcome, because the occupation caused a suspension of trade and unemployment to thousands of labourers, and paralysed the port. A SERIES OF OUTRAGES. LONDON, May 7. There was a recurrence of trouble in Belfast to day after a fortnight’s peace. Armed men took men outside a house near Portadown and shot them dead. Another was sniped at in the street. Two men were tarred and feathered and turned adrift in the street naked. The body of an unidentified man was found in a public road at Gortin, County Tyrone. He had been dead for at least a day. Possibly the body had been removed from another part of the county. He had a wound over his heart, and a label was tied on his left wrist, reading : “Beware of the Irish Republican army. A convicted spy.” The man apparently was named Aron. Letters found on the body suggest that he lived at Kensington Gardens, London. May 8. The Republicans attacked the houses of three Loyalists at Castle Caulfield. A vigorous fight ensued. One man on each side was killed. REBELS AND LOYALISTS FACE TO FACE. LONDON, May 10. Grave reports are current of an impending big battle on the Tyrone-Donegal border, where considerable forces ot Ulster police and the Irish Republican Army armed with machine guns face each other. APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT. LONDON, May 10. Replying to a deputation of members of the House of Commons interested in the Irish refugees, Mr Chamberlain said that the Government had considered the matter but could not do anything to encourage a general exodus from Ireland. Nevertheless he had been impressed by the evidence and thought there was a pressing need for help in some cases until the refugees were able to return to their homes. The Government .accordingly was appointing a committee under Sir Samuel Hoare to deal with such cases. NO BASIS OF AGREEMENT. LONDON, May 10. The Dail Eireann Peace Committee failed to find a basis for agreement. BELFAST BANK ROBBED. LONDON, May 11. Six armed men held up the staff and customers at the Falls road branch of the National Bank at Belfast and stole £250, though a military patrol was within 200 yards. DISCUSSION IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, May 11. Ireland claimed the nrolonged attention of the House of Commons when Mr Rupert Gwynne moved an adjournment to call attention to the failure of the British Government to release three British officers who were kidnapped at Macroon on April 22. Mr Gwynne denounced the treaty as a failure and demanded that the Government reconsider its policy. Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson urged that members of the Cabinet be sent to Ireland to investigate for themselves. The whole world, he said, beheld manifestation of incompetence which would surely bear fruit elsewhere. The Empire demanded to be told why British troops were still in Southern Ireland, and at whose request. Mr Chamberlain replied in a speech of the gravest nature. The House was tense in an electric atmosphere. The speech was punctuated by serious dramatic interruptions. Mr Chamberlain claimed that the Government had done its best to trace the officers hut had failed. Sir Nevil Macreadv had visited Cork and had interviewed representatives of both parties who promised to attempt to unravel the mystery which still remained a mystery. The troops, who were being evacuated in an orderlv manner, were concentrated at Cork and Dublin. Surely it would he unwise at this stage absolutely to evacuate these positions. “The real issue raised in this debate,” said Mr Chamberlain, “is whether we declare the treatv ended and again assume the whole responsibility for law and order in Southern Ireland.” He felt profoundly the fact that outrages were being committed, but he. begged the House to remember the larger issues and to fix its eyes on the results which yet might be attained. “We must consult our heads as well as our hearts,” he said, “and we do not yet abandon hope.” (Cheers.) The Provisional Government had shown an earnest desire to prevent outrages and to punish the offenders. He agreed that it had not yet acquired the necessary ability, hut it was operating under the most difficult circumstances. He believed if given time the Provisional Government would fully establish its authority, but it could not do so immediately. Field Marshal Wilson : “In the meantime you are responsible.” Mr Chamberlain: “Yes, and my responsibility covered actions which were endorsed by a great majority of the members of this House.” (Cheers and interruptions. )

Continuing, Mr Chamberlain said: “We may be on the eve of a very critical situation which may result in a real clash at any moment in Ireland.” The motion was lost by an overwhelming majority. THREE BROTHERS SHOT. LONDON, May 11. Three brothers named M'Keone were shot in their homes near Magherafelt. Two are dead. It is believed that the deed was in reprisal for the murder of five policemen in South Derry. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT AND THE ELECTIONS. LONDON, May 11. In the House of Lords, Lord Carson drew a gloomy picture of the clxaos in Ireland. Lord Birkenhead replied. He was informed, he said—he could not speak more definitely—that after preparation and in the near future the Provisional Government would make an organised and resolute attempt to enforce its authority more closely and sternly than hitherto. The chief cause of the grave mischief now going on was the resolution of the Provisional Government, against the strong advice of the British Government, to postpone the Irish electioft. Those qualified to form an opinion were convinced that the Provisional Government • would obtain an overwhelming majority at the elections. The Dail Eireann has adjourned for a week. There is some hope of reconciliation, as both parties have agreed to form a Coalition Government after the election, though there is some disagreement on the recognition of the treaty. PROTESTANTS INTERVIEW MR ' COLLINS. LONDON, May 13. I.R.A. irregulars, after evicting the coastguards from the British naval and wireless station at Bunbeg and auctioneering the furniture and fixtures, set fire to the building. The damage is estimated at £20,000. A deputation from the Protestant Synod of Ireland saw Mr Collins and asked if the Government desired to retain the Protestants of Southern Ireland or wanted them to go. Mr Collins assured them that the Government would protect its citizens and ensure civil and religious liberty. Spoilation and confiscation would not be tolerated. A dastardly Sinn Fein outrage occurred at Belfast, resulting in the death of a tram conductor namgd Mansfield. He found an attache case, which was left behind in a tram, and while he was taking it to the lost property office an infernal machine within the case exploded, killing him and wounding three others. Five armed men held up a light engine and forced the pay clerk, who was riding on the footplate, to hand over £IOOO in wages for the locomotive staff. The men escaped. Owing to attacks on Masonic halls and Freemasons, Earl Donaghmore has ordered the suspension of all lodge meetings throughout the Irish Free State.