UNHAPPY IRELAND

Southland Times, Issue 19770, 19 February 1923, Page 5

UNHAPPY IRELAND

AMNESTY OFFER ENDS FREE STATE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM ATTITUDE (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). LONDON, February 17. (Received February 18, 11.5 p.m.) It is no secret that the amnesty offered to the rebels met with a disappointing response, comparatively few choosing immunity in exchange for laying down their arms. The amnesty expires to-night. President Cosgravc, in a proclamation which is described at the last official word to the rebels, declares that the Free State Government has determined to put down the anti-democratic revolt regardless of cost. Anyone continuing this unnatural war, hereafter, must be prepared for death. The Government will not participate in negotiatory meetings with De Valera, Liam, Lynch or their collaborators of destruction male or female. The guns and ammunition which the irregulars have been trying to borrow or buy from Russia nri.v add to the destruction b t will not bring De Valera or any of his dail appreciably nearer either victory or the extermination of the Irish nation. A statement is being diligently circulated by the irregulars’ leaders that .the Government made or caused to be made overtures for peace. The statement is a deliberate falsehood. The Government or its agents made no such overture.

LONDON, February 18. (Received February 18, 11.30 p.m.)

Seventy rebels, who were prisoners at Tralee, petitioned for parole for the purpose of interviewing their comrades to urge their unconditional surrender.

REBELS WRECK TRAINS. LONDON, February 18. (Received February 18, 5.5 p.m.) Armed men held up a mail train outside Mullingar and forced the passengers to leave. The train was restarted and crashed into a land mine and was completely wrecked. The permanent way was torn up. The rebels then sent five goods trains in the wreckage. MURDER OF O’HIGGINS. LEADER OF REBEL GANG CAPTURED. LONDON, February 17. (Received February 18, 5.5 p.m.) When O’Higgins was murdered on February 11, his two sons, one a doctor and the other a private in the Free State army, went out and tracked the leader of the gang, handing him over to the military authority.