SINN FEIN’S REPLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1921, Page 5

SINN FEIN’S REPLY.

FORECAST OF DEMANDS.

THE REPUBLIC PRINCIPLE.

MAY NOT BE PRESSED.

B» Telegraph.—Press Assn Copyright.

Received August 24, 8.20 p.m

London, August 24. The Dai] Eireann. after * con Mering its reply to Britain, adjourned and a further private sitting will be held on Thursday. The Daily Chronicle's Dublin correspondent. forecasting the reply, says the Daii Eireann will re-affirm its adherence to the republic principle, but will not insist upon it, in view of the enormous cos 1 in lives and money entailed Thn Dail Eireann will suggest that Mr. Lloyd George, by issuing General Smuts’ letter, has tacitly adopted General Smuts* interpretation of the British offer, and will point out that in the opinion of the Dail Eireann the offer'does not confer a Dominion status. It will enumerate objections thereto and invite Mt. Lloyd George to reply, in order that no ambiguities may remain to cloud the issue. The De.il Eireann will probably RUggAit that if the Ulster difficulty cannot be composed Lister should be excluded from any benefits and privileges granted the South, apart from those she already holds. Sinn Femera believe that if this is do?: ? Ulster will goon be tempted to join the South.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.

LEADER OF THE EXTREMISTS.

INFLUENCE BEHIND DE VALERA.

A NON-IRISH LEADER.

Received August 24, 8.20 p.m. London, August 24. The Daily Express reveals that the leader of the Sinn Fein extremists who is standing out for fuil and final separation is Erskine Childers. He is not an Irishman, but his fanatical temper.iment has found full scope in republicanism. He is seconded by his wife, a native of Boston (United States), who though a confirmed invalid spends her days in her sick bed in a relentless search for material for Sinn Fein propaganda. The success of her husband’s editorship of the Sinn Fein Bulletin is largely due *to her zeal. Childers got his chance when De Valera returned from America to find Grif-

fith in prison and other leaders on the run. Childers quick’y gained ascendancy. Hie faction in the Dail Eireann numbers about fifty end contains some >f the best brains in the movement. Desmond Fitzgerald, the former editor of the Bulletin, was a moderate, and When he was sent to prison Childers took up his work and spread his gospel M hate against England into every column. The great danger is De Valera’s

great misplaced confidence in Childers’ political judgment. In short Childers ts the power behind the presidential ihair. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.