THE IRISH CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, 25 October 1921, Page 5

THE IRISH CRISIS.

DE VALERA’S MESSAGE. SINN FEIN EXPLANATION. (Press Association—Copyright.) London, Oct. 23.—A demonstration was held in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the anniversary of the death of Aiderman MaeSwiney in Brixton prison. Irish from all parts of the town marched to the square, and there was a striking display of the Sinn Fein colours. Mr Kelly, President of the Irish Self-Determination League, said the English Press seemed to be in a state of terror over de Valera’s telegram to the Pope. All de Valera had said was what he had been telling the world for the last four or five years. What the Irish Conference had to dis cover was whether Irish separation could be reconciled with the commonwealth of nations known as the British Empire. If it could not discover that, then the Conference would have failed.

NO REPUDIATION OF MESSAGE. SINN FEIN ACTIVITY. (Received 9.15 p.m.) London, Oct. 24.—Sinn Fein is unlikely to publicly repudiate de Valera’s telegram to the Pope. It is pointed out in Dublin that it is unlikely that de Valera despatched the telegram without the approval of his colleagues. Mr Michael Collins is returning to London without finding a formula which would surmount the difficulty. Sinn Feiners have resumed activity in County Monaghan, commandeering Colonel Tennyson’s mansion at Ballybay for an officers’ training school.— (A. and N.Z.) PERPETUAL WAR. ALTERNATIVE TO SETTLEMENT. (Received 5.5 p.m.) London, Oet. 23.—Mr J. R. Clynes, speaking at Wolverhampton, on the I.rish Conference, said: “Three conditions are desired by all—unity of understanding and spirit between the North and the South of Ireland, freedom of Ireland on the basis of giving the people the sole right to determine all purely Irish affairs, and recognition of Irish nationhood within the great family of nations in the Empire.’’ He was satisfied that conditions could be established and fulfilled consistent with a sincere recognition of the throne as the link which bound all these people within the Empire. If no settlement was reached, the alternative would be perpetual war between North and South and between Ireland and England.

THE REAL QUESTION.

(Received 9.15 p.m.) London, Oct. 24.—The ‘ ‘ Times, ’ ’ in a leader, points out that the real question at issue for the Conference is whether the Sinn Fein leaders desire, association with the British Empire under the Imperial Crown. Should it fail to agree regarding the main terms of settlement it could and should agree at least upon a clear definition as to what the British offer to Ireland really is, and upon consultation with the people of Southern Ireland by means of a referendum, before the offer is held to be finally rejected.— “Times.’’