READY FOR THE REBELS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16749, 2 June 1922, Page 5

READY FOR THE REBELS.

BRITISH TROOPS IN DUBLIN.

THE COALITION PACT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 31. Mr Churchill, replying to a question as to why troops were kept in Dublin, said they were kept in case an attempt were made to set up a republic, in which case it was the intention of the Government to hold Dublin as one of the essential centres. Captain Oraig (U., Antrim) referring to Mr Churchill’s lengthy statement on the position said he had never listened to a statement more pathetic and helpless. The Colli ns-de Valera f>act was a gross violation of the Treaty and the Government’s attitude toward it was again one of surrender. Mr J. R. dynes (Lab) said he was satisfied that the establishment of a. republic meant the beginning of a state of civil war, the <end of which pone could foresee. HOUSE OF LORDS. LONDON, May 31. Lord Salisbury raised the Irish question in the House of Imrds. He said they need not think more about the opinion of the civilised world, because, in dealing with Ireland. England had shown the last word in conciliation. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Birkenhead. said Lord Salisbury- was a confident critic who told the Government of the mistakes it had made, yet, in the last seven pixious years, he had never made a single constructive Suggestion. If the Irish Government did not carry out its obligations and the crisis arrived the resources of civilisation would be found not to be exhausted and the Government would closely expiore every contingency. SIR J. CRAIC TO VISIT LONDON. LONDON, May 31. Sir James Oraig, aoeomp>a.nied by Lord Londonderry, will r arrive in London to-morrow as the result of an invitation of the Imperial .Oovenment to confer regarding the situation in Northern Ireland. The Premier accepted the invitation on condition that he should not be asked to meet the southern representatives. INCESSANT FIGHTING IN BELFAST. NINE KILLED. LONDON, May 31. Fighting in Belfast has been incessant between Crown forces and gunmen. Following an attempted assassination of Constables Roulston and Campbell, who were dangerously wounded, a riot developed in which lour people were shot dead and at least eight seriously wounded. The mob broke into Boyd Street and Peters Place, and fired houses, which were burned out. Firing continued until a late hour in the evening. Nine people were killed and seventeen wounded- It is stated that nearly all were Roman Catholics. Special constables, in whippet cars, and using machine-guns, swept several crowded streets. After the first stampede a large area became “No man’s land.’’ Residents rushed indoors and took refuge in back rooms. BORDER FIGHT. LONDON. May 31. Fighting at Strabane was desperate all day. Snipers occupy the housetops and the streets are deserted. The residents are fleeing in hundreds. OFFER OF COMPENSATION. TiONDON, June 1. The Trish Provision.nl Government has written to the British Cabinet regretting that a number of law-abiding eitizens have been obliged to flee from their homes in Southern Ireland under threat of violence. The Provisional Government is willing to accept the liability for the expenditure on providing relief in Great Britain for such cases.