IRISH UNREST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14099, 17 April 1920, Page 5

IRISH UNREST.

THE GREAT CLIMB-DOWN. LAME EXCUSES. Press Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Thursday. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law read a message from Viscount French, Viceroy of Ireland, stating that following the precedent made in the case of Alderman 0 'Bricn, who was arrested on suspicion of being implicated iu a conspiracy to murder loyal servants of the Crown in Ireland, carried out a hunger-strike in prison and was sent to a nursing home, the Governor of Mount,joy Prison in Dublin was authorised to liberate those prisoners awaiting trial or deportation whom the doctors certified to be in imminent danger of death and requiring treatment which could not be given in prison. Accordingly, sixty-eight prisoners were released on parole for periods differing according to their particular cases. Owing to a mistake on the part of the prison authorities, some of the six-ty-six men released wore convicted men serving sentences, and who were not entitled to release on parole. lie emphasised the fact that this was not to form a .precedent. The decision in regard to the ameliorative treatment was not to be taken as a change in the Government's attitude; simply, the same course had been followed as in the case of O'Brien. The Government would'.bo only too ' glad to change its Irish policy if conditions changed, but it must take every precaution to protect life. .

BELFAST PRESS VIEWS. BITTER COMMENT. (United Service.) LONDON, Thursday. The Beßlfast Newsletter, commenting on the release, says: “By this surrender Siun Fein has gained in authority what the Government has lost from the failure to assert the law. It has abandoned a law-abiding people to the horrors of the Irish rebels."' The Northern Whig declares: “Outside Unionist Ulster- the government of Ireland lies iu the hands of Sinn Fein. The last surrender is the most calamitous of all the mistakes and blunders marking Irish history. ’ The Irish News characterises it as “the greatest climb"-down in the century.” - ARMY ADMINISTRATION. FREE HAND DEMANDED. LONDON, Thursday. The' Daily News states that General Maeready told Viscount French on arrival that lie must be given a cjr.ear field in his new position as chief, and at the same time a free hand in army administration. FURTHER OUTRAGES. STRIKE INCIDENTS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) 1 LONDON, Wednesday. An exciting incident .occurred at Galway, where strikers held up butchers’ cart conveying military rations. Three lorries and a tank were quickly on the ssene, and the strikers dispersed before levelled rifles. Sergeant Laviu has- been found shot dead in the Dublin police depot. The Customs offices in Dundalk have, been burned down. ( The incendiaries' used petrol. A strike picket boarded a passenger train which was arriving at Castleblavney and ordered the driver and stoker to leave- the engine. The picket then drew the fires.

■ Strikers at Carriekmacross prevented the postman from delivering mails. SHIPPING SERVICES STOPPED. LONDON, 'Wednesday. Several shipping lines have ceased services between Ireland and Britain, owing to the stoppage of transport in Ireland. COMPLETE REVERSAL OF POLICY. (Received Saturday,"o.ls a.m.) LONDON, Friday. The situation at Mount joy prison was perplexing throughout the afternoon and evening. It was not until sixty, or seventy hunger-strikers had belli carried to the kospiyd between nine o’clock and midnight that it was certain that the Government had reversed its policy and released the Sinn Feiners unconditionally. Throughout there was intense excitement. The strike at Dublin liberated the entire working population, and the majoritv gathered in the vicinity of the prison, not knowing whether the strine had achieved its purpose. There was wild excitement when it was certain that the men had been released without parole, but the vast -crowd was instantly quiet when the ambulance appeared carrying the men to the hospital. General Macreadv is credited with the responsibility of the dramatic reversal of the Government’s policy. It is believed that he told Lord French that he must have a clear field as commander-m-chief. General Macreadv’s representations were submitted to Downing street and Resulted in a repudiation of what 'the front bench said in the House of Commons twenty-four hours earlier. It is understood that Sir H. Greenwood also expressed a desire that the hunger-strikers should be got out of the way before he took up the reins of Chief Secretaryship. Some papers state that Lord French is coming to London to consult the Government relative to the responsibilities of General Macrcady and himself. The Daily Chronicle states that Dublin Castle rule is not the Government’s poiey. General Macready and Sir. H. Greenwood have been given full power to pave the way to reconciliation, making the Home Rule Bill possible.

A BIG ROUND-UP. (.Received Saturday, 9.55 a.m.) f LONDON, Friday* A round-up that was made ia Hubllli was the biggest yet organised. It began at one o’clock in the mors* ing aud lasted for several hours. Qlto hundred and fifty arrests were made* The raided area included fifteea streets, including some of the poorest in the city, and also the Jewish qua?* ter. / It was the largest force of troops yet employed in raids. Thirty lorries? wore filled with soldiers. A wake was proceeding in one house* and all the males present were arrest* ed. Bartieuar attention was paid to Cam* ' den street, where Constable Dells wa# murdered. Certain business premises were sear* eked. While the raiders were working,arm* cured cars patrolled the street outsidfl with guns trained on the crowds. Constable Hcnsion was shot at Bat* briggan during a procession of demon* strators in connection with the release of prisoners. He was admitted to tbq hospital in a dying condition. The Evening Standard says, in connection with the releases, that Lord French alone was responsible. General ’ * Already, >a's commander of the forces, cannot direct or initiate a policy, and cannot act without Lord French 's knofrledge for a change. Lord French, Mr Macpkerson. and . Sir John Taylor (Permanent ' UnderSeeertary) were generally held responsible for the earlier policy. Air Alacpherson has already resigned, and Lord French is likely to follow. It is rumoured that Sir J. Taylor will have a colonial appointment.

LLOYD GEORGE PERSONALLY RjEL , r SPONSIBLE. h t f (Received Saturday, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. It is significant that while political prisoners are‘treated as heroes,. Dublin, had scarcely a word of sympathy for the unfortunate policeman Dells, who, .after twenty-two years of service, was murdered in a cold-blooded manner as he was going to work. He was in plain clothes, and the assassins were evidently familiar with his movement. They hid in a quiet spot until Dells was passing, and fired shots at the unsuspecting man. Them three men were seen to walk quietly away. The Lord Alayor of Cork announced the release of the Sinn Feiners to a mass meeting in Cork. The audience marched to the county gaol, where the political offenders were incarcerated, and sang Sinn Fein songs.' The prisoners responded and waved flags from the windows. The Irish Trade Union Congress, in a manifesto, congratulates the workers* on showing how they caii impose their will on the authorities, and urges the workers to prevent exportation of foodstuffs until the restoration of normal supplies, which has been hindered by the stoppage of transport. The .newspapers generally consider that the release of the Shin Feiners marks <in entire change of the- Irish policy, for which Mr Lloj’d George is personally responsible. POLICE AND CIVILIANS IN COLLISION. THREE CIVILIANS KILLED. (Received Saturday, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. The police and military were involved in a collision with civilians at Miltown, Alai bay, County Clare. Three civilians were killed and nine wounded. There are no details, -• AMERICAN RAILWAY STRIKE. AN ULTIMATUM. ' (Received Saturday, 9.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, Friday. The railroad companies have issued an ultimatum to the workers to return to work by noon on Sunday. The men returning to work will be reinstated immediately. However, the railroad companies reserve the right to refuse to re-employ those guilty of violoncc or seditious utterances during the strike. MOST SERIOUS POSITION. - (Received Saturday, 9.20 a.m.) BMR LIN, Thursday. In the National Assembly, the Defence Minister announced that he had ordered the arrest of Ala.jor Ebhardt, commander of the Baltic Naval Force, a portion of which is being disbanded and will be disarmed forcibly if necessary. .. The Alinistcr added that the news from Pomerania was most serious. He warned the Conservatives that the Government would not permit fresh disturbances. The. Government troops could not leave the Ruhr until all arms had been surrendered.