Norwich bulletin., 1922-03-31


secretary for the colonies announced to-
night in the house Of commons the terms
of the most important agreement yet |
reached between the representatives of |
The northern and southern governments |
loo ireland for bringing about peace in |
.ne strife-torn country.
Tile agreement which was reached with |
Unexpected expedition at a conference !
between delegates Of the Irish groups |
and representatives of the imperial gov
rrnmeut far transcends in Importance
u pact arrived at between Michael
Collins head Of the provisional govern
neut, and Sir James Craig, the Ulster
premier. at an earlier stage in the ne
rotations
i, provides for the reorganization Of
'he police in Ulster on basis satisfac-
factory 20 the religious meaning OF the
people Of the north and the south; for
.he trial Of persons charged with seri-
ous offenses by a special court com.
POSED Of the highest justices; for gen.
iral cooperation between the north and
ne south OF a most promising character,
md for assistance from the British par
lament to remedy the unemployment
i.hiculties IN Belfast, which rendered the
.arryinE out Of the previous Craig-Col-
3ns pact almost impossible.
The terms OF the agreement as an
iounced are as follows:
First; Peace is today declared.
Second; From today the two govern
ments undertake 20 cooperate in every
way ln their power with view to the
restoration OF peaceful conditions in the
unsettled areas.
Third: The police in Belfast are to
~ organized IN general accordance with
he following conditions:
Special police in mixed districts to
ac composed half Of Catholics and half
% Protestants. All specials not required
FOR these forces 20 be Withdrawn to
their homes and surrender their arms
An advisory committee composed Of
Catholics will assist in the selection Of
Cathoia, retruits Tor the special po-
Ice.
S-Au police on duty except the usual
fscret service men TO be uniformed ana
sIiciaIly numbered.
An arms and ammunition issued
- the police 20 be deposited in barracks
u charge q a military or other com
peteut officer when policemen are not
nn duty and an official record must be
kept OF all arms issued and ammunition
1sed
ANY search for arms is to be car
-ied cut by a police force composed Of
laif Catholics and half OF Protestants,
pc military rendering any necessary as
f,stancs.
Fourth: A court Is to be constituted
'or the trial, without Jury, Of persons
<narred with serious crimes. the court to
consist OF the lord chief justice and one
% the lords justices OF appeal IN north
rrn Ireland Any person committed ftr
trial FOR a serious crime Is to be tried
1v that court. (R) II he so requpesas, or,
~ II the attorney general for northern
Ireland 50 directs. Serious crimes are
tNose punishable by death. penal servi-
iuie OF Imprisonment exceeding six
months. The government Of northern
Ireland viii take steps to pass necessary
I~risiantion to give effect to this article
FIFTH: A committee Is to be established
m Belfast. with equal numbers Of Cath
s'ics and Protestants. and with an inde-
seudent chairman. preferably a Catholic
'r a Protestant alternately in successive
~eeks. 90 hear and investigate complaints
Z intimidation. outrsges, etc, such COM
ni,teea having direct access 10 the heads
- the government
The local press Is TO be approached
With view TO inserting only such re
ports OF disturbances. etc, as shall hav,
been considered and communicated b.
this committee.
sixth: Irish republican army activi
ties are 20 cease in the six counties, anC
thereupon a method Of organizing spe
-ial police IN the six counties outside o
Belfast shall proceed as speedily as Dos
sibie on lines similar to those agreed up
on in Belfast.
seventh: During the month immedi
Ftsly following the passing into law o
a BIN confirming the constitution of tn
Free State. being the month within whicl
he northern parliament is 10 exercis
ts option, and before any address II
n-cordance with Article XII Of the
treaty is. presented. there Shall be
'urthcT meeting between the slgnatorie
NJ the agreement with a view to ascer
tain'nE ea) whether means can be de
vieed % secure unity In ireland, or Cb
failing IN this. whether sn agreemen
car be arrived at on the boundary ques
fion Otherwise than hy recourse in tn
bounda-y -y commission under the treaty.
Eighth. The return 70 their home
~ persons expelled Is to be secured b
t,.e respective governments, and the ad
vice ~ the committee mentioned in Al
f'eie Eve Is - be sought IN cases {
dir -uifv
N.uuS In view Of me special cond
Tons consequent on the political sltua
ton Or Belfast and neighborhood, III
british government VIII submit to pa
Lament a vote. not exceeding pound
rfrrlinr 500. .00G for the ministry Of ID
hor fr %oriho-n ireland ~ be eN
n-rfcd exclusively in relief work, on,
ft'-d FOR tho benefit OF Catholics an
fvo-irfris for prosestants. The nortl
--n sicraforics agree 70 use evry effo
to ercurt the restoration o the expeue
rrortucn. and wherever this prov,
E-1nra cffcabie owing 20 trade depre
slnu fhev viii he afforded employmei
-- relief work.
Tenth Tha -wo governments can.
.rrfs arrrcd u0on between the sign:
lorlee. arrange for the release Of polite
prisoners In niison for .offenses comrri
frl. hef0re -i,e date hereof. No offens
committed after March 81 shall be opC
70 consideration.
Eleventh. Tho two governments uni
% annenfia- % atl concerned to refra
from lunarmatory speeches and TO e
--oiee restraint fn the interests Of peac
THE agreement was signed on beha
30 tho provisional government by u
-fl-i Collins. Eamonu J. Duggan and A
sirr Griffith: Tor the northern COVER
r-rr hy sir James Craig. the Marqu
n londonderry and r a. Archdale. M
'-- pho imperial government by WinstC
Churchill, Sir gsaming Worthngto
-rnns ana sir Hamar Greenwood.
The pact that the representatives
rs Dublin Belfast and imperial gover
nents set thor signatures to such Z
tretmerf. ls regarded in political e
ies as thc most significant and weigh