IRISH QUESTION

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 47, Issue 14544, 5 December 1921, Page 5

IRISH QUESTION

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. A NEW STAGE. i t’regs Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyrigh' (Received Monday, 8.5 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. A new stage in the Irish negotiations is proceeding in a most dramatic manner. Collins and other delegates departed for Dublin on Friday. They embarked on the Cambria, which was steaming at twenty-one knots, when she collided with and sank an English schooner, three of whose crew were drowned. The Cambria was compelled to return to Holyhead.

The passengers rc-embarking, reach ed Dublin yesterday forenoon.

The Sinn Fein members of the Cabinet, including ’de Valera, were awaiting the delegates, who handed over Mr Lloyd George’s offer.

There was a protracted conference, lasting seven hours,, whereafter the delegates immediately re-embarked with Hie Sinn Fein reply, which is expected in London to-day. In view of Sir James Craig’s declaration that he must be acquainted with the reply by Tuesday at the latest, cr Ulster would not participate in the negotiations, the delegates’ determination to deliver the document to Mr Lloyd George at the earliest moment is regarded ae most significant.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. f

SINN FEIN PRISONERS. SENSATIONAL ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE. LONDON, Friday. The attempt to rescue Sinn Fein prisoners from Derry Gaol was the most sensational ever made. The rescuers drove up in motor cars at 3 o'clock in the morning.

Simultaneously several prisoners in the cells •called for water, and then overpowered, tied and gagged the warders.

The prisoners next rushed out into the prison yard, where they knocked down and tied up several constables. Meanwhile a patrol interrupted the rescuers aa the latter were throwing a rope ladder over the wall to a dozen bare-footed prisoners, who were found waiting inside ready to climb the ladder.

The patrol on entering the corridor found Constables Little and Gorman jiead -and handcuffed with tlu-ir own handcuffs. It is now certain that the constables were murdered by means of d t ugg e d handkcrc hief s. The military seized the motor cars and arrested three civilians. Two warders succeeded in forcing the prisoners back to the cells. The .eighty-six prisoners in the gaol are now handcuffed and placed arate cells.—Aus. \..Z. Cable Assu.

THE FINANCIAL PROPOSALS. (Received Monday, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, Sunday. It is Understood that the Sinn Fein acknowledges that the financial portion of the new terms are of great importance, and that the whole scheme is proof of an earnest, honest endeavour by the British Cabinet to frame acceptable proposals, but that the prospects of its acceptance are not bright. If it appears possible to re-open tlie negotiations, despite the rejection of the conference, it is probable that the adjourned truce will be extended. If rejected, then there is a probability that a general election will be held in February. But if the Sinn Fein accepts aud Ulster rejects, the Government, according to present intentions, will pass the scheme into law, relying on the north and south reaching an agreement in regard to their differences.—The Times.