Evening star., 1922-02-10
ULSTER SITUATION GRAVE.
of Kidnapped Men Adds to
High Tension.
By the Associa ted Press.

BY the Associa ted Press.
LONDON. February 10-The situa-
ton created by the kidnapings in Ul-
ster continues to bear grave aspect.
The northern Irish government had
not up to this afternoon received any
intimation of the release of the pris-
oners taken in the recent raids, and
has no authentic information as to
their Whereabouts.
1t was reported from both Dublin
ana Belfast that many of the men
kidnapped in Ulster would be released
today, but none except those who
reached their homes yesterday, as re-
counted In previous dispatches, was
yet known to be free, and the where
abouts of the captives was still
mystery. Several reports said they
were all concentrated at BaIIybay, in
Monaghan county. but 1t was stated
they were later removed far to the
south.
Collins Efforts Fail.
Expectation that the men would be
released today was apparently based on
the report that Michael Collins and
other members of the southern provi-
sional government were busy yesterday
trying to obtain their freedom and had
sent special officers from Dublin to per-
suade the captors to release their
prisoners.
1t was questioned, however, whether
the provisional governments persua-
sions would be likely to be effective in
nominally is not controlled by the pro-
visional government. but by the dali
eireann Moreover, in some quarters
here suspicion was attached to the pro-
visional government itself in the mat
ter Of the raids, because it was declared
the kidnapers used a number Of cars
which the British auxiliary troops
handed over to the provisional govern
ment upon their rehabilitation.
An article In the Daily Telegraph
remarks that, If the raids were not
planned with the connivance of the
provisional government. it is obvious
that much of the material which was
passed to it by the British has
reached hands unfriendly to Mr.. Col
Inns and his colleagues. It adds that
there are many signs that certain
local commandants of the Irish re-
publican army who supposedly sup
ported Collins have now thrown
their lot with Eamonn De Valera.
After further intimation as to the
growing power OF the republican ex-
tremists. the writer says:
Guns May Decide Election.
'The gunner are supreme, and II
there Is an early general election in
southern Ireland competent authori-
ties believe the gun will decide the
issue in favor OF the republican
party"
The Dublin correspondent of the
Times again urges the necessity for
lation giving effect to the Anglo
Irish treaty, 50 as to enable. the pro-
yiSional government to appeal to the
electorate with the least possible de-
lay. He says it is the belief in Dub
lin that, according to present plans.
|kI- feln OF wv <.<n
not permit an election in Ireland un-
til the end of March or the begin
ming Of April and adds:
"If the British government really at
taches vital importance to the Irish
settlement, 1t will use every effort to
curtail the period Of suspense. The
extremists are making every possible
use of the interval. Their strength
today consists of the fact that 1t is
an unknown quantity.
British Cabinet Split Hinted. ]
The Morning Posts political corre-
snondent Gays differences Of opinion
which may have unexpected conse-
o,lenoes are developing in the British
cabinet as a result OF the raids In
tions have been sent to ireland to
stop further acquisition of British
arms and ammunition by the Free
state authorities.
Nothing has yet developed as re-
CARDS any military help Great Britain
nav give Ulster to protect her bor-
ders from further possible raids, but
II il stated that mo- troops will go
from England in any case. as the
withdrawal from Ireland has been SO
much delayed by the railroad strike
that nearly 10000 troops are still
The Irish Free State bill, designed to
nut into effect the terms Of the Anglo
irish treaty, was formally introduced
in the house Of commons yesterday by
Austin Chamberlain, the government
leader. The bill was read for the first
time and will be given q second read
ing next Thursday.