TRUCE IN IRELAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16113, 30 April 1923, Page 3

TRUCE IN IRELAND.

REBELS' PEACE PROPOSALS. CAREFUL CONSIDERATION. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn ) (Australian and N.Z Cable Association.) LOIDON, April ?.B. He Valera's proclamation continues: — (5) Military forces are servants of tho nation, and, .subject to the foregoing, are amenable to the National Assembly, when freely elected by the people. (6) Freedom of Assembly speech and the press to prevail. The proclamation hopes that this advance will he) met. in the spirit- it is made, and supported by all loving their country, and desiring a speedy and just ending to tho national trouble. An army- order to officers commanding, and others, signed "Frank Aitken, Chief of Staff," states:-- "In order to give effect to the decision of tho Government Army Council, embodied in the proclamation, on this date; you will arrange for th© suspension of all offensive operations in your area from noon on April 30. You will ensure, whilst remaining on the defensive, that all units take adequate measures to protect themselves and their munitions."

Guerilla, warfare, which has now lasted fifteen- months, was announced, as a consequence of Do Valera's rewfeal, on December 12, 1921, to ratify the agreement signed at Downing Street, between representatives of the Imperial Government and tho Sinn Fein. Sir Hamar Greenwood said: —"Ireland is the parent country of the millioms of Irishmen throughout the world who will rejoice f> know- that peace has- returned to their mother country."

The. Daily Chronicle states, editorially : —"lt is trui' that this is not an unconditional surrender. The terms are vague, and do not constitute a real basis of settlement, unless it is understood that, the: Republicans are- prepared to accept, the verdict of tho popular elections. Rut, iti is time to settle." An Australian Press Association special message states that Dc Valera will agree- to the dumping, or destruction, of arms and the release of prisoners. Ho stipulates an early general election, and loyalty to whatever Government is elected.

LONDON, April 29

An Australian. Press Association special message from Dublin states that Do Valera, Rontledge, Aitken, Pilkington and Parry, and what remains of the Republican Government! army, are prepared to accept the following terms of peace :

(1) Complete dumping of all arms under supervision (De Valera will agree to their complete destruction). (2) Return home of nil Republicans in arms.

(3) Cessation by the Free State Govern ment of all raids and arresfe.

(4) The) release of all prisoners; all alleged criminal prisoners to bo dealt with by representatives of the Free State and Republicans with a neutral chairman (Father Luzio is suggested). (5) That every adult male and! female be allowed to vote, at a general election held as soon as May 6, an undertaking being given by both sides that, whatever Government is elected, its opponents will not resort to armed force but exercise their opposition in a constitutional manner.

Tho correspondent adds that he is of opinion that the Free State will not agree) to t hose terms, as outlined-. Nevertheless, peace, is expected, soon, perhaps uetxb week.

Father Luaio is working hard on this subject. Tliet Free Stale Government is giving most careful consideration- to Do Valera's proclamation. The Irish Times states that a. replywill not bo long delayed. The view much favored is- that- the' proposals will not be accepted, but that the suspension of hostilities will he lasting. Meantime, tho Free States' military activity has nod been relaxed in Dublin, where- armed patrols and. lorries of men are stationed everywhere.

Freeman's Journal says that De Valera crrtild easily mnkei his position clear by leaving tho issue to the people, who are tlie final court of appeal, and abandoning the weapons which have been employed to intimidate the. Court. Tho Observer remarks : De Valera has recognised that, the principles of democracy debar a civilised people from armed apposition to the majority's opinions, however -unpalatable. Tho Sunday Express says : De Valera calls it a truce; it is surrender.

OUTRAGE ON RAILWAY

PROTEST AGAINST PEACE OVER TURES.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Received April 30, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 29. A signal cabin at the Great Northern railway terminus in Dublin was destroyed by'the explosion of a mine laid by irregulars. A passing passenger train had its windows shattered, and seventeen persons, mostly girls, were slightly injured. A special correspondent states that this outrage is believed to bo a protest by extremists against Do Valera's peace overture.

• Do Valera- is no longer able to control the unruly elements, who possess large quantities of mines and are able to do unlimited damage to private property. Nobody in Dublin puts much faith in the peace move. As the Free State. Government ignores it and will not make any compromise with the rebels, it is feared further outrages will be enacted in a few days, but as an organised force the Republicans have ceased to count.