IN IRELAND

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1920, Page 3

IN IRELAND

| Reuter’s ielegruuiß STORY OF THE ESCAPE. LONDON, August 2. The “Daily Express” Galway correspondent has an exclusive story of Luoas’s captivity. He was kept in various dwellings and farmhouses *in three counties and was well treated and com. fortable. He was guarded night and day. and the restrictions on his liberty during the first few days in Kerry County were galling. There were three guards, with their revolvers on their knees, at his bedside, whilst others belonging to tbp rough peasants typo, were outside the windows. The former, .with whom he was in more immediate oontaet, were considerate and evidently solictiou.s of his comfort. They spoke -only their experiences after the rebellion, but Lucas feared the houses, whence he was successively removed and which were subsequently searched by the police and'military. The transfer always occurred at night-time, pre-

cautions being taken to prevent anyone ascertaining the locality. His condition of capitvity in Limerck County were immediately easier than in Kerry. Whenever he entered a new house he found that everything had been prepared for his reception. The day guard remained until he was'relieved late at night, and after the guard had been withdrawn from his bedroom,. he was undisturbed until ten in the morning, and taken towards night time for exerciso and fishing excursions. The window in the last abode was guarded outside by spiked iron bars. During the torrential downpour he forced tho spikes aside and squeezed through and escaped unobserved. He traversed a. field, clamber*! for three hours over walla and through hpdges, scrub aud wire fences. Tlip first streak of dawn suggested that he had taken the right direction. He told a peasant whom lie met that lie wished to return to the Police Barracks, and asked the way. The pensant cheerfully gave th e information and he soon reached Newpalias,. cold, wet, and bleeding. It is reported that lie lias left Qneenstqwn for London.

FOUND SHOT. ® (Received this day'at 1.5 p.m.) LQNDON, August 2.

A young labourer was found dead on the roadside with a bullet in his forehead, blindfolded and hands tied behind, and cardboard bearing the word “Spy” hung round his nec-k.

IRISH CONGRESS

(Received This pay fit 1.5. p.m.)

LONDON, July 2,

The Lord Mayor of Cork welcomed tho Irish Trade Unionist Congress. Thomas Farren, presiding said those working for the Irish Republic were united in the belief that they must be either complete independence or extermination. They were now bping ruled by a brutal naked force. Workers should not hesitate to adopt direction. He advocated abolition of the wage system and substitution of co-operation, v Ue charged Government with seventy-five murders, 2,412 deportations, and 2,(500 raids on private houses, 75,054 arrests. 413 proclamation, fifty-three newspaper eupprossions. Farren said Ireland "as determined to be mistress of her own destiny.