THE GREAT RIOTS AT BELFAST.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1328, 31 October 1872, Page 2

THE GREAT RIOTS AT BELFAST.

[news op the world.]

London, Aug. 19. —The riots at Belfast have not been thoroughly suppressed. The Mayor and Magistrates have issued a proclamation, warning the rioters to disperse under the severest penalties if they do not. The arrests thus far, in proportion to the number engaged and casualties, are remarkably few. In the hospitals are many victims of ..the riots^ttad quite a large number have sword cuCand bullet wounds. A correspondent telegraphs from, Belfast this morning that the fighting continued last night. Stones fell in the streets like hail. Despatches just received via Dublin convey later news^from {Belfast, that the rioting still goes on; Four persons were killed in the streets this morning. The peaceably-disposed citizens of Belfast are greatly .dissatisfied with the want of vigor evinced by the authorities in suppressing the riots. Ruffians with pistola in hand walk through the city and whole sections are given up to the rioters. A later telegram from Belfast says that a report is current there that the city is about to be placed under martial law. The same telegram states that the military are now charging the rioters in the centre of the town.

London, Aug. 20.— The rioting at Belfast continues without abatement. Yesterday, despite the proclamation af the Mayor and Magistrates, the fighting was kept up by the rioters in various quarters with stones, bludgeons, and firearms. The Magistrates began yesterday to swear in special constables,- and a , proclamation was issued by tha Mayor authorising the troops to hold the streets and to fire upon all rioters* and assemblages offering resistance. All the stores are closed, and business is entirely suspended. Additional troops are expected/)! to reach Belfast to-day. A despatch from Dublin last night reported no cessation of the rioting. The mob yesterday attacked three large warehouses' and made a complete wreck, of. the interior, carrying off portable articles and demolishing other merchandise. The Magistrates, becoming convinced of their inability to, restore order, have surrendered the city intoy the hands of the military, practically, establishing martial law. The commanding officer has issued a proclamation, warning the citizens to remain in. the houses, and stating that every person found on the streets will be looked upon as a rioter and treated accordingly. All the/ public, houses to close and not-re-open until permitted by the authorities. >'■■■.■••.

New York, Aug. 20.— A London special says that the riots in Belfast cbntimje \yith unabated fury, and. the gity fo ftt the mercy of a blood-feirsty mob. partial la.w has been declared. Thorp are fears of a repetition of the terrible scenes of 1866. All the places of buainess are closed al noon. A regular panio prevails, and many respectable people have fled from the city. Orangemen, in bodies of three or four hundred, issued from the headquarters'at Sandy Row, and rushed through the principal streets like demons, firing in all directions":" "It is apprehended that they will attempt to demolish several Roman Catholic, institutions, and large reinforcements of constabulary accordingly surrpuud them to resist attack. Several regiments, including a detachment from the Royal Barracks, Dublin, were drawn up to-day in Hjgh street, Donegal street, and the vicinity of Liven Hall, ready to charge the rioters^ Dragoons and mounted constabulary paraded the city Ia3 + night, but'the shooting was as brisk as ever. There are many instances of innocent victims being killed. 1 - There are many outcries against the city v authorities, who, as during the riots of '66, allowed the fiends to pelt the troops: with brickbats, wreck churches, pillage stores, and perpetrate atrocious, murders, before they gave the ' word of command; Orangemen are mpstly favored, although they have been . charged. !fhe mode of warfare is cowardly in the extreme, and people walking quietly along are shot down like dogs. At this writing, the Hospital in Great Patrick street ia filled with the wounded and dying and the screams of the sufferers are heartrending. Several women were shot. The troops could do nothing without th« sanction of the Mayor, who was at lenstlt compelled to order the military tq engage ho no erg, ' 4 bout a doSen persons fi£ been shot at B,oyne Bridge (so called), near the railway station. The scene since Thursday has been terrible. It was at first thought that order could be restoredma day or two, but the partiality and • bad management of the authorities produced the present dreadful state of affairs. Many private houses have been torn down or burned. Worked up to a fit of desperation, the Roman Catholicß from the district known a3 Pound iS a quantity of ammunition and riflaa W

been distributed among a number of deputy constables, who will assist in enforcing order. In attempting to keep the Orangemen and Catholics apart, several soldiers of the Fortieth Regiment were seriously wounded. Fighting is going on at the place called Thomson's Bank, where navvies are employed. Another engagement occurred late last night near the County Down Railway Station, on York Btreet. Not until several men were cut down did the conatabulary succeed in dispersing them. Lowdon, Aug. 20— Later.— Despite the action of the authorities, who, owing to their utter helplessness and inefficiency, were obliged to surrender the control of the city into the hands of the military, the rioters are vigorously carrying out their desperate deeds of blood and plunder. The Orangemen were charged this morning with fixed bayonets, up Carrick Hill, but soon after meeting an opposing force of Catholics on the Old Lodge road, engaged them, and fought over an hour, with guns, paving-stones, and bludgeons. Many employees of the mill on the Antrim road have quitted Cork to join the rioters. There is no knowing where the matter will end. The riots of 66 lasted three weeks. It seems that the commandant is determined to . enfore order, and accordingly intimates that every person found on the streets will be treated as a rioter. The publichouses were closed to-day. The soldiers effectually cleared the streets, and the rioters are now dodging around corners, firing stray shots. London, Aug. 21.— A despatch from Belfast last evening says that the city is quieter, but the noting is not ended, The rioters captured by the civio and military organisations were conveyed to jail under a strong escort of troops. No attempt was made towards rescue. The Municipal buildings are strongly guarded and the streets aro patrolled by cavalry.

A despatch from Lurgan says that the disorders there have been suppressed. A dispatch from Belfast, this morning, gays that during the rioting yesterday a policeman named Moore was killed, and a number of other casualties occurred. The mob, when not engaged in wrecking houses, aasualted and shamefully treated individuals, including Benjin, editor of the " Northern Star," a Catholic journal. All the schools and most of the mills are closed. Nine magistrates are now on duty. Although the streets were patrolled last evening by the military a crowd collected arid the excitement and rioting continued. Thirty rioters were arrested yesterday and lodged in prison. At midnight the city was comparatively quiet, though occasional shots were heard. It is reported that there were personal encounters between tho rioters and special Constables.

Belfast, Aug. 21.— The hopes of a restoration of quiet and a more peaceful state of affairs have not been realised. The condition, shown by the reports at headquarters is worse than ever. Last night the authorities were powerless against the depredations, although supported by an armed force of fully five thousand. Schoolhouses were destroyed, and it was with the utmost difficulty that some of the churches were preserved. Gross mismanagemt on the part of the authorities is suspected, and the general dissatisfaction is so great that respectable citizens intend to form a Vigilance Committee for the arrest and summary punishment of offenders, London, Aug. 23 — Several buildings Tyere burned last night in Belfast. The magistrates have petitioned to the Lord Lieutenant to place Belfast under the Peace Preservation Act. There was a heavy riot there last night, but the streets were cleared. A man named Moore has been identified &g one of the murderers of a policeman. Several rioters have been sentenced to prison, for one and two years, and a number of aggravated cases sent to the higher courts, Yesterday a detachment of policemen arrested some persons firing from the hovisea into the street, and were themselves fired at, but escaped injury, The policemen returned the fire, but the effects are not known. It is believed that since the disorders commenced several rioters have been killed, and the remains secretly buried by friends. Many families are atill leaving Belfast. The working classes express great indignation at the conduct of the magistrates in dealing with the rioters. THE LATBST. London, Aug. 23.— There was a disturbance in Belfast last night. The military continue to occupy the streets, and the recent stringent regulations are still in force.