IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1916, Page 5

IRELAND.

MARTIAL LAW IN DUBLIN. GOVERNMENT ACTING SMARTLY. London, April 26. Official: Troops have arrived in Dublin from Belfast and England and martial law lias been proclaimed in the county. The Government is acting . drastically. Mr. Asquith, in the House of Com- , mons, said that the troops liad occuju'Kl j St, Stephen's Green. STATEMENT BY MK. | ASQUITH. SITUATION SATISFACTORY. • London. April 26. Mr. Asquith read a statement in the House of Commons. He said that the troops had occupied Liberty Hall, St. Stephen's Green. The Government was taking action to arrest all concerned. The country outside 'Dublin was tranquil, only three minor disturbances having been reported. The Government was sending full and accurate infbrijiation to its friends abroad, showing the real significance of this most recent German campaign. (Cheers.) The Government was proclaiming cer-

tain Irisli associations illegal. It was understood that the rebels had no ma-cliine-guns. Lord Wimborne, ,the Lord Lieutenant, had been in Ireland throughout the disturbances, and had taken the most active part. Replying to Sir E. Carson, Mr. Asquith said that news from Ireland at present ■was censored. He had no reason to believe that the banks were unsafe. Mr. Birrell said the censorship was imposed to prevent neutrals receiving a false impression of the events, Mr. Asquith later read the most recent telegram. The situation was satisfactory and the provincial news reassuring. The Nationalist Volunteers at Drogheda turned out under arms to assist the Government, and many local people had offered their assistance

MORE VIGOR URGED.

GOVERNMENT FEEBLENESS. London, April 2fi, In the House of Lords, Lord Middleton complained that the Government was not taking vigorous enough measures in Dublin. Apparently no effort had been made to dislodge the rebels. The Government had not provided sufficient forces to deal with the insurrection, and he doubted whether adequate steps had been taken to prevent the spread of the disorder organised by the ] Sinn Feiners. The Irish Government had known, for months of the existence of a large body, well-equipped and bent t on causing trouble. It had in its possession ample explosives and money, the origin of which was well known. The Government had permitted seditious papers to be printed, and stood still and remained so, despite warnings. Lord Middleton added that Mr. Birrell was in London, and Lord Wimborne on Monday went to Belfast. Many officers on Monday attended the race meeting near Dublin, some of whom were seized when returning to duty.

ATTACK ON DUBLIN CASTLE. STATEMENT BY LORD LAXSDOWNE. THE REBELS SURROUNDED. Received April 27, 5.5 p.*. London, April 26. In the House of Lords, Lerd Middleton said that,the Sinn Feincrs had been armed during wartime with guns, and the situation was one of the utmost danger. Lord Lansdowne said lie believed that this >utrage was doomed to ignominious failure, but he was not disposed to minimise it 3 serious inconvenience. The ■rebels on Monday had made a halfhearted attack on Dublin Castle, but had not pressed it. They occupied St. Stephen's Green, fired on the Government troops from the windows, and seized the post office and two railway stations. There were considerable troops from Curngh, in addition to those at Dublin. Telegrams were coming in to-day rapidly. Libert}' Hall, the so-called headquarters of the citizens' army, had been wholly or partially destroyed, and was occupied bv the military. A complete cordon had been drawn around the centre of the town on the north side of the river. Two more battalions were arriving this afternoon from England. Lord Lansdowne said there had been a small rising at Ardee (C«unty Louth), and a more serious one, in which swords were used, at Lu.sk, cl»se to Dublin. The latest casualty list showed fifteen killed and twenty-one wounded; also

two loyal volunteers and tw« policemen had been killed and six vglunteers wounded. The situation was well in lir-nd, and there was 110 sign of the Government's inability to cope with the movement. CASEMENT'S LANDING. !A DRAMATIC INCIDENT Lord Lansdowne added: Regarding Sir Roger Casement, a German submarine and a German vessel with false papers, pretending to be a Dutch trader, appeared on the west coast of Ireland. Casement and two others landed from the submarine in a collapsible boat. A warship ordered the other vessel to go to Quecnstown. She obeyed for a time, but then flew the German flag and scuttled herself. The crew were saved. AN IMPERTINENT DEMAND

Received April 28, 1 a.m. London, April 27. The Daily Express demands the dismissal of Lord Wimborne (Lord Lieutenant) and Mr. Birrell (Secretary for 'lreland), on the ground that their lack of policy led to the bloodshed in Dublin.