NO IRISH PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1923, Page 5

NO IRISH PEACE.

FAILURE OF THE PARLEY. FREE STATE'S TERMS. CHURCH INFLUENCE FAILS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 10, .5.5 p.m. London, May 9. Mr. Cosgrave announced in Dail Eireann a breakdown of the negotiations between the Free State and de Valera. According to the statement de Valera requested Senators Tennyson and Douglas to meet him to discuss peace, but the President refused to allow a personal conference, and a document embodying the Government’s terms was submitted to de Valera. The conditions were: Firstly, all political issues to be decided by a majority vote of the elected representatives of the people; secondly, all lethal weapons in the country to be under the control of the executive; and thirdly, the surrender of arms to be a preliminary for the release of prisoners, who must subscribe to the first two conditions. In reply de Valera reiterated his declaration of April 27 and submitted an amendment that a general election be held not later than September 15, pending which arms in the hands of the Free State troops should be under strict supervision and control, while the republican forces should have a suitable building in each province for the storage of their arms. Mr. Cosgrave said the Government yesterday considered this document, and would send a reply that the question of oath could not be considered, and effective control of arms would be insisted upon. The Government proposed to invite bishops to act through the local clergy as intermediaries for the collection of arms.

Mr. Cosgrave added that once arms were handed in the prisoners who accepted the terms would be released. De Valera replied, expressing disappointment" at the Government’s reply. He added: “I have been met by rigid insistence upon a condition which is impracticable and unfair.”

De Valera has been given until Wednesday to accept th terms and lie has not done so.

The Dublin correspondent of the Australian Press Association, dealing with Monsignor Luzio’s mission, states he came to Ireland ostensibly on an ecclesiastical mission, but the real object was to discover a way to peace. The Government from the first suspected Monsignor Luzio of working in the republic’s interests, but nevertheless he i undoubtedly tried his best to secure it ' cessation of hostilities to enable the rei publicans to save their faces. Ho kept out of the limelight, but the Government was well informed of his work, and know ho was trying to bring the strongest ecclesiastical influence to bear on Cabinet to force its hand and accept something less than the complete surrender of the republicans. It was largely Monsignor Luzio’s representations which led de Valera to issue his peace terms. Monsignor Luzio almost succeeded in getting the republicans to surrender, but from first to last the Government refused to have anything to do with him. The correspondent adds that the mission was a hard one, the important result proving that ecclesiastical power in Ireland is nearly broken.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DESIRE FOR PEACE. BETTER FEELING EVIDENT. London, May 9. The Australian Press Association’s special correspondent at Dublin reports that the executive of the Neutral Irish Republican Army Members’ Association has issued a manifesto calling upon the Free State Government to order immediately a cessation of all executions, arrests and provocative military activity. The asso elation states it is inspired to make this appeal by the fact that de Valera’s suspension of hostilities has created better feeling throughout the country and the intense desire of the whole people is for peace. This association includes a large number of men who fought against the British in Ireland, and is exerts a good deal of influence throughout the Free State. DEMOBILISATION SCHEME. EX-SERVICEMEN ALARMED. London, May 9. The special correspondent of the Australian Press in Dublin says the question of the demobilisation of the Free State Army is causing grave concern among British ex-servicemen in Ireland. Sixty per cent, of the National army fought for the Empire during the great war and it is reported that the Free State Government proposes to demobilise exactly that proportion at the earliest moment. It is rumored that ex-soldiers will be the first to go. The appointment of General Murphy to the Chief Commissionership of the Dublin police gives color to the rumor. General Murphy is a young man of 31 and was a colonel in, the British army, winning ths D.S.O. and M.C. in the field. He was the cnly real soldier in the higher command of the Free State Army. While the Army Council could not afford to do without him during the fighting he was a constant thorn in its side. General Murphy’s appointment to an ornamental post is generally regarded as a clever move to get rid of him. The Gaelic League Party is now in supreme command of the army. Its ideals, expressed repeatedly by Mr. Mulcahy, are hardly the ideals of the British Army, and ex-British soldiers are hardly the men to carry them out.