REPRISALS IN IRELAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20058, 22 September 1920, Page 7

REPRISALS IN IRELAND.

official super. EFFECTS ON THE COUNTRY. SPLIT IN THE SINN FEIN CAMP. By Tel*graph—Pres» Asiociation—Copyright. United Service. (Received September 22, 9 a.ra.) _ LONDON, September 21. .Interviewed by a Parisian correspondent General Sir Nevill Macreadv, commander of the Forces in Ireland, said ‘‘ Has, there have been some re-' pnsals in Ireland; say three at most.’’ ire added: “ Wo are taking every step! to prevent a. recurrence, ;Pho mission er t!;o troops is to help to protect the pohco, force, which is insufficient t< maintain order. Tho British Govern nient. though faced by a practical do' claratum of war by the Sinn Fcinera does not wish to retaliate ifi tho sam manner, but in tho event of a geucre revolt wo are perfectly ready.” .Ho insisted that Ireland rcallv do Bired pace, hut a very small hand oi terrorists Was imposing a violent policy • i ~ ow rnost -of their names,” b said, “ and tho day may come whe wo shall effect a clearance. If s Ireland would, a month later, kno tranquillity and order.” Correspondents frankly disagree wi General Maqready s first statement, tho Dublin correspondent of “ T limes ” telegraphs that there have bo n good many reprisals by "the polio and a lew by soldiers, since the Sit reincrs began their campaign of no, tical murder and outrage and such i pnsa s aro, at least, intelligible to : who know the present conditions of hj m Ireland. Police in lonely pb 1( aro attacked and martyred, and th would be mono or less than human tho passion of resentment did i strain the bonds of discipline. Peon argue that reprisals are having | merit of checking outrage, where vi lance and discipline failed. Ma towns are now quite peaceful, and other places outrage is discouraged tho lively fear of retaliation. No tho less reprisals are deplorable, 1 cause they are creating a penuane bitterness between the different clasi or Irishmen, qnd weakening to a da gerous degree any respect snrvivi lor constitutional Jaw and order. 1 public is forced to infer that the Ei cutivo cither regards reprisals lenim P? Wo Hca3 to prevent the uoth theories work great mischi while the splendid traditions of f Royal Irish Constabulary aro da aged. .. Dublin correspondent of 1 Daily, Mai! ” states that the Engl auxiliaries of the Irish Coustabula are responsible for tho reprisal,tactiwhich spread terror throughout t country districts. Wherever a polio man or a soldier is shot, the ncaro community lives through a night tear, believing that the curse of Croi well has been revived. The eorre pondent adds that the Sinn Fein drifting into two camps, and that It Griffiths is fighting for loadershi against tho violent and influenthl leaders of the Republican army. Meail while the British military system hal markedly improved. I