The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-07
OPEN WARFARE
IN ERIN SOON
Sim Fein Hope to Force Hand
of the British.
Major Operation Near Dublin
Now Threatened.
TROUBLE MAY DIVIDE IRELAND
Home Rule Plans Being Urged
by British.
Fiscal Autonomy Prize for Ac-
ceptance Is RumOr.
TROUBLE MAY Divide IRELAND

Dublin, Feb. IA major Sim Fein
offensive against British forces in
Dublin is expected this week.
Assuming the aggressive in this
region last week, Sim Feiners precipi-
tated battles in which fourteen lost
their lives and at least sixteen per-
sons were wounded. Sim Fein lead
Great Britain into a declaration OF
martial law for the city, believing it
Will help tEeir cause politically.
British Are Ready.
British representatives declared they
welcomed Sim Fein activity as bring
ing the conflict to a head, making GER
tain it will be terminated more quickly.
Developments last week included in
creased aggressiveness by the Sim
Feiners. with announcements that
they were prepared to go to even
greater lengths; further application of
official reprisals by British forces,
and advice by Catholic leaders, led
by Bishop Cohalan to accept Some
rule as a starting off ground"
New ReprisaI Rule.
A new form of reprisal was adopted
by the British when they rounded up
all men of military age in Queenstown,
tolled them off into squads, assign
ing them numbers and dates. Each
squad will be responsible for informa-
llOn regarding any SiHH IT en- ATTAIN
on crown forces in that region on the
date assigned it. Punishment for fall
ure to obey the order was not an
nounced but it was limited that prop
erty reprisal would follow.
Property reprisal the burning OF
property. following ambushes, was
practiced last week at Skibbereen
and Rosscarberry.
The increased stubborness of Sim
Fein leaders in Dublin was shown
here Saturday night when three bat
ties were provoked in the heart of the
city. regardless of the fact that host
ages were chained in the lorries at
tackled A 4-year-old boy was the
only victim of all the fighting in
which hundred of persons were stam-
peded from the streets.
Urge Irish Division.
Rumors are circulating in Dublin
today in regard to fresh efforts the.
government is reported to h" iaaking
to effect settlement wi lthern
Ireland. The belief is 5 that
an important development ~ come
to light when parliament reconvened.
According to one report. the gov
ernment is TRYING 10 bring the Ulster
leaders into line with a well formu-
lated scheme to persuade the south to
accept the partition provided for in
the home rule act and work under 1t.
This version of the reputed plans has
it that the prize to be offered for ac-
ceptance is n grant of full fiscal au-
toncmy to both sections of ireland.
This would be coupled. so far as the
south is concerned, with an offer to
release the political prisoners and
grant amnesty to Irish republicans
generally. including members of the
Irich republican army and even men
ION the run"
Negotiations to this end are now
proceeding. it is said. between Mr..
Lloyd George. the prime minister. and
Sir Edward Carson. Ulster leader in
the British parliament.
Concessions Arc Planned.
Other concessions are. said to be
contemplated particularly with regard
to the amount of taxes payable to
England under the next act.
1t is generally understood that the
attempts made by Sir HanIAr Green
wood, chief secretary for Ireland, to
secure the nomination of candidates
for the proposed southern parliament
have thus far signaIIy failed. Sir
Hamar, who usually il easily approach
BILE by the press has during the last
three weeks. resolutely refused to give
interviews.
Representatives of the Sein Fein
have refused to treat the reported
scheme seriously, saying that until
some concrete, bona fide proposals
had actually been made they would
not waste their time in speculation
Prominent nationalists, when their
views were sought in the same con-
nection. said they had no doubt that
a concession of fiscal autonomy
would go far toward satisfying the
Irish peoples demands for indepen-
dence and if offered in a generous
spirit would, greatly weaken the posi-
tion of the Sim Fein if the republican
parliament should reject it.
Officer Killed by Bomb.
Belfast. Feb. 7-One constable
was killed and two others wounded by
the explosion of a bomb thrown at
them while they were on duty at War
rem Point, near Dunkalk. last night.