SITUATION IN IRELAND.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14875, 25 September 1918, Page 6

SITUATION IN IRELAND.

IMEROyE^EST UNTIE!* J.OUD

FRENCH'S EEGiME

SINN ■.■FEIN : 6ltGA.\' WlSti POLITI-

CALL'V

DECLINE OF THE NATIStfALISI>

("The Times.")

(Received Sept. 24, 7.2a p.ra.) tanttast, Sept. 23

"The Times' *' eorre-spoiuie/nfc writes: 'Although arrests1, searrfies and boycotts continue, the condition of Ireland has immeasurably ' improved liuder ,Lord French's measures. The S:«n SFcin ai'o dropping tho policy oi organised lawlessness and are organising for the next genenul election. They pto particularly canv&ssing women.. Their campa-ign is supported by ample funds, including the anti-conscription fqnd of a quarter of a million. It is intended to contest; every Nationalist seat..

The Nationalist Party's prospects are mest gloomy. Their, organisation has gone to pieces, and they hare no election funds. The American 6Ubscrlptionsi have entirely ceased- The majority of Ireland, fearing cosscriptidn, will vote Sinn Fein, Which party is likely to'gain fifty seate." Tito. Nationalists are unlikely to refcaia more t:ian 2S, ' and sorno predict &vij • ele<ren after the election.

Tlie Sinn Feincrs propose to hold put till. after the peace coniterencc,. meanwhile adopting n- policy '^i£ national sabotage. The members elected are Kot going to "Westailnsfcer, hat will at-

toinpt to form

an Irfek FacCament,

shrinking from violent oamflidJ with the forces of the Crown, bafc dislocating the machinery of tho law in eysry possible way. Overtures with LaSoor suggest ifeafc they are meditating BQ»n Hie weagon of the general strikes, m&. viWL take earery means to make Irelffiad.BtJgJwern»Ma by the British Parinansa^, which will be glad to get "rid «C flte Srish difficulty at any.pricew