THE IRISH SITUATION

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14586, 8 February 1921, Page 6

THE IRISH SITUATION

DISMAY IN ULSTER. NO STRONG MAN TO LEAD. (The Times.l LONDON, February 5. A special Times correspondent in Belfast states that Ulster, the most cockEure community in Britain, now presents a face of dismay. They have won but they ha,] not realised the consequences of winning. In the first place, they find themselves leaderless. During Sir Edward Carson's ascendancy. Ulster politics have not produced great men, as the Cabinet were content to leave all to Sir Edward Carson aril throw their own energy into business. Commercial circles speak unemphatically of the representative politicians. Fir James Craig, the chosen leader, is popular, but inspires no confidence. Belfast, the correspondent states, has lost faith in the belief that it can do better than anywhere else whatever it puts its hand on. Trade conditions have hit it very hard. The linen lords are not credited with foresight. With half the machines idle how can they say, "Put ug in power; we made Belfast what it Is." The Carsonit.es taught the mob howto be dangerous. The politicians are endeavouring to rope in labour Protestants and moderates, but realise that an alliance between Labour and Capital is uncertain. Probably Sir James Craig's supporters wish for a powerful Catholic party as an honest non-wrecking- opposition. Belfast no longer feels enormously superior financially. The best business people admit that the South will pay its share of the £lB,000.000 easier than the North. Agricultural Ireland is among the most solvent communities in Europe and moat of the agriculturists are southern. Industrial Ireland is harder hit from the economic boycott of 16 counties than ever it expected. ENGLISH LABOUR AND SINN FEIN. SUPPORT DUE TO IGNORANCE. (Australian and N Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February 6. Sir Edward Carson, addressing .1 labour demonstration in Belfast, said that lie believed the English Labourites' .support of the Sinn Fein assassins was merely due.to ignorance. The auxiliaries alleged that the cruelties were being over emphasised ami the ambushes in which auxiliaries were bayonetted and shot with dumdums were understressed. Referring to the election, he said that until an alternative was found It would be better to stick to the Welshman. A BISHOP'S PRONOUNCEMENT AGAINST IRISH REPUBLIC. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, February 6. The Bishop of Cork has issued a pastoral letter, stating that, according to Church teaching, the. proclamation of the Sinn Fein republic was not sufficient to constitute Ireland a republic. Nothing short of the minority Nationalist scheme would give the country lasting peace. AMBUSHES IN DUBLIN. *r (Australian and N.Z'. Cable Assn.) LONDON. February fi. An officer and several civilians were wounded, and a child killed, in two ambushes in Dublin last night.