PERIL IN IRELAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18438, 23 March 1922, Page 5

PERIL IN IRELAND.

CALAMITOUS STATE OF ULSTER. TENSION AT DANGER POINT. GRAVE STATEMENT BY MR. CHURCHILL. Mr. Churchill, in the Commons, replying to a question, said the general condition of the Ulster boundary was one of most serious tension. The liaison officers on both sides were not functioning as they should. Overwhelming forces would be made available to the Northern Government if wanted for defence or maintenance of law and oilier. Conditions in Belfast were most lamentable. He had telegraphed to the Free State that there was no danger of a raid from Ulster.

REPUBLICANS’ DISHONOURABLE CONDUCT. THE TRUCE OUTRAGED. NORTHERN PARLIAMENT THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET. Received March 22, 8.30 p.m. LONDON, March 22. "The Northern Parliament passed the second reading of a Bill for the suppression of crime. Mr. Megan, moving the second reading, said captured documents proved that the Republican army was inactive in Ulster until it was possible to operate in security under the protection of the truce. One battalion was raised and equipped in one district between September and December. The truce was used as an instrument to organise a hostile army and a conspiracy to overthrow the Northern Government. If the other side would not accept peace let there be war, but Ulster would never be terrorised or driven by the Sinn Fein Parliament. A REPUBLICAN COMMUNIQUE. Received March 22, 8.30 p.m. LONDON, March 22. A Republican communique states: We inflicted twenty casualties on Ulster constabulary who attempted to blow up Burns bridge. They were forced to retreat, the Republicans capturing a machine gun and other weapons. The communique adds: The situation on the border is very menacing.

THE FREE STATE BILL. STRAIGHT TALK IN THE LORDS. Received March 22, 9.30 p.m. LONDON, March 22. In the House of Lords, on a motion to consider the Free State Bill in committee, Lord Salisbury appealed to the Government to allow amendments removing ambiguities and improving the Bill within the principles of the Treaty. Viscount Peel pointed out that if modifications of the treaty were introduced the other party to the pact could claim the same right. If members desired to wreck the Government It was open to them to do so. He would not accept any amendment affecting the treaty. Lord Carson said he could give notice of a thousand amendments, for he had never read a more muddled and unreadable Bill. Nevertheless, they proposed to confine themselves to amendments improving the Bill, not altering the Treaty. Lord Carson moved to give Ulster the right of appeal to the Privy Council if dissatisfied with the decision of the Boundary Commission.

Lord Birkenhead replied that no one suggested that there was any ambiguity about the clause until Mr. Collins, a layman, put forward his claim. In Lord Birkenhead’s judgment, a commission dealing with boundaries was one thing, and a commission dealing with the transfer of territory was quite another thing. He did not doubt a competent chairman would be appointed who would reach the same conclusion. Lord Carson’s amendment would destroy the whole Treaty. The debate was adjourned.

IRISH REPUBLICAN PLANS. THE TRUCE OUTRAGED. LONDON, March 21. In moving the second reading of the Special Powers Bill in the Northern Parliament at Belfast, Mr. Megaw, Minister of Home Affairs, said the Irish Republican Army were inactive in Ulster until the truce, after which, according to captured documents, whole battalions were raised and equipped in a single district. Between September and December the truce was utilised to organise an army with a view to overthrowing the Northern Government.