THE STATE OF IRELAND

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2092, 29 May 1907, Page 1

THE STATE OF IRELAND

Elphin, a small town in County lloscomnion, has recently been the scene of exciting incidents and encounters between the polico and the public. Meetings of the United Irish League woro called for the purpose of putting into effect resolutions passed at a provious meeting, calling uiiou those who hold land on the eleven months’ system to surrender it to tho branches of tho league, or bo subject to a vigorous boycott. A large force of police, probably numbering 300, is at present in tlie district guarding cattle on farms, and these prevented the mootings being held. In one instance the police came into contact with the mob, and a free fight ensued; and not until reinforcements arrived could the onslaughts of tlie crowd be repelled. Both on Sunday and Monday the Resident Magistrate, with three district inspectors and one county inspector, were on the spot, but the agitators were harassing their movements. When, on Monday, the police endeavored to prevent tile passing of the people and tlioir band to the place where a meeting was announced to bo held, the. crowd broke through tlioir ranks, and so threatening 'did matters become that the Resident Magistrate was sent for with a view to his reading the Itiot Act. As ho was at another farm, about two miles away, where there was a disturbance raging, his services were not. available. Extra forces of police have been drafted into the neighborhood, which is in a very disturbed state.