THREAT TO FORCE BIG STRIKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14800, 2 January 1919, Page 3

THREAT TO FORCE BIG STRIKE.

STRANGE SITUATION IN GAOL. lAustralLiu ana N.Z. Cable Assoclatlop LONDON, Dec. 30. Sinn Fein prisoners m Belfast prison demonstrated on Friday from the prison roof, whence they were driven by stones tin-own by crowds m the streets. The latter partially wrecked the interior fittings. A strong force of troops with machine-guns on Sunday restored order. LONDON, Dec. 31.. A large number of the elected Sinn Feiners are either m gaol or are interned. The.; party will probably adhere to its intention not to enter 5 } Westminster. This emphasises the expectation that the Sinn Feiners will create a constituent assembly at Dublin, ' making ••> the future outlook dangerous. With the Sinn Feiners absent, Labor has a most cohesive opposition, and is thereby entitled to occupy the front Opposition benches. The swearing-in of the new Commoners begins on the 21st, and will occupy ten days. The Times' Dublin correspondent states that the Sinn Feiners admit the magnitude of their victory iB embarrassing and imposes undivided responsibility m creating a policy. The majority of the new members are youthful, obscure and inexperienced m the affairs of the country. It is stated that if the Government refuses to release the Sinn Fein prisoners a countryside strike will follow, dislocating all industries. The United Press correspondent m London interviewed Mr Edward Shortt, Secretary for Ireland, who said: "The coming six months will decide whether the Irish question will be settled peacefully or bloodily. Ido not consider that the large Sinn Fein vote m the recent elections shows a demand for a separation from England. I believe that from 60 to 70 .per cent, of the Sin Feiners can be persuaded to accept Home Rule." The New York World's London correspondent says: "It is expected that Irish emigration to the United States will increase greatly after the passport regulations are withdrawn. It is believed that the Irish emigrants will exceed the pre-war numbers. (The Times.) An extraordinary situation occurred m Belfast prison on Monday. Sinn Feiners were breaking staircases and erecting barricades, and they isolated themselves. One wing claim .to possess several days' provisions. The men are creating an uproar, singing, cheering, arid playing tin whistles. They have hung out a banner constructed of bed covers. They ripped slates off the roof of a large block of buildings and tore up the flooring. A military detachment is encamped before the prison.