THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOm-ZION BELFAST CASUALTIES. LONDON, April 21. The situation in Belfast city was most critical during Thursday night. The death roll totalled five and the wounded 15. A heavy bomb was thrown in the Ballyrnarcarett district, which injured a passing woman, but otherwise did no harm. LABOUR PARTY’S MOVE. LONDON, April 20. The Irish Labour Party, executive has proclaimed a 24 hours’ strike, commencing on Monday, throughoul Ireland, as a protest against militarism and the failure of politicians to come to an agreement. DESPERATE SHOOTING. LONDON, April 21. Fighting in Belfast, which was of a desperate character, continued throughout Thursday evening. Rival gunmen came boldly into the open, and filed at each other until their ammunition was exhausted. Traffic was held up Tram services were diverted over a wide area. Several were killed and wounded in Shortstrand district.

SHOOTINGS AT BELFAST. (Received This Dav at 9.40 a.m.) (LONDON, April 21. Shooting continues in Belfast this morning. A man was shot dead and a police sergeant wounded. Yesterday’s casualties were four killed and twelve wounded. Thursday’s pitched battle covered sixty streets which became no man’s laind and were entirely isolated. It was impossible to enter or leave it. Gunmen occupied vantage points on Hoofs, and railway embankments. Armoured cars and Lewis guns intermingled shots with snipers rifle fire. 1 Women and childen lay terror stricken for. hours in backrooms. The snipers lay prone on tram tracks and fired hundreds of rounds before armoured cars interfered. A determined attack was made last niight on Wellington barracks. A fiarce fusilade of machine guns and rifle fire lasting an hour, was directed Oft the 'building from all sides. Residents over a wide area, were alarmed by the terrific bursts of firing accompanied by bomb explosions. The attackers utilised a house in the vicin-’ ity and attempted to rush the front gate through which they hurled grenades. The guard replied throwing' grenades. Several were wounded on both sides.