IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1920, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

AN HOUR’S BATTLE. LONDON, July 16. A battle lasting an hour raged in a village, Ballylanders, in County Limerick. It began before dawn. Sixty police and a force of soldiers began by carrying out a raid. They were searching for arms. They arrived armed in motor lorries. They were greeted with sbrne shots from windows, chimneys, and behind fences. Sinn Feiners continued firing until the troops returned the fire. After promptly taking cover, the soldiers energetically replied to the attack. They gained the upper hand. They captured eight men. One was badly wounded. Sinn Feiners burned the Buucrana courthouse in County Donegal. ' The Sinn Fein Law Court at Thurles ordered the deportation of four deserters from English regiments, who had brief careers as criminals. They were highwaymen. They stole bicycles. They Held ui> and robbed several travellers. The Sinn Feiners escorted the prison, ers aboard a steamer bound for Eng- - iand. PROSPECT OF MARTIAL LAW. FURTHER ARMED HOLD-UPS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 17. It is understod that Cabinet', during the coming week, will discuss proclaini_ ing martial law ip affected districts in Ireland, where each day brings a fresh crop of disorders. It is reported that Hainar Greenwood opposes martial law. He believes there is a growing disgust at Sinn Fein extremists. The police are receiving secret offers of assistance in several districts.

Sinn Feiners continue to warn drivers that/they will be shot if trains carry troops. Consequently the train services suffer dislocation. Hundreds of armed men stopped the mid-night mail train between Belfast and Londonderry and covered the driver, firemen and guard with revolvers. They seized official cor. respondence and decamped. Another gang stopped a passenger train at a remote station on the Durf-dalk-Enniskillen line and kidnapped the driver and firemen leaving the train stranded.

Dublin Castle lias authorised the -police to invoke military aid in suppressing and,- arresting Irish volunteers assembling in order to undertake self-as-sumed police functions. Constable Masters, while motoring homeward, was shot dead near LimerickForty special jurymen attended a meet ing called anonymously at Cork and decided to boycott the Assizes.

Recent encounters with Sinn Feiners resulted in the police killing fifty and arresting thirty. Many successful raids for arms were effected. a/