THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

OABLE NEWS.!

\UtjTKAI.IAX AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ' FREE STATE MANIFESTO. LONDON, .June 28. Tin* Free State Provisional Government lias issued a. statement dealing with the action it has taken “to protect and secure the Irish people against further molestation or interference with their liberty.” It says:—

“Against.a direct challenge to its authority. Government has ordered the army to take action.” The Provisional Government’s manifesto declares that on Saturday last , two Dublin' firms received demands, in , the name of the leader of the Trrcgular Forces, to pay certain monies by Tuesday. Forty-eight hours later the Government received news of a raid by the same forces on a motor garage, and the Government arrested the culprits. Then came the kidnepoing of Major O’Connell, of the Free State Army. The manifesto concludes: —“None ■ but Irish forces, with the co-operation of the citizens, are engaged in putting down the disorderly elements, who are attempting to tyrannise the people and defy their will.”

PARTICULAR OF FIGHT. LONDON, .Tune 28. Mr Michael Collins sent an ultimatum to Rory O’Connor, giving him one hour in which to surrender Major O’Connell, w’o was kidnapped as a hostage. The first shot "was fired by some rebels at Free State armoured cars. This signalled the beginning of hostilities. In connection with the Four Courts fighting, a big gun was in action every fifteen mintos.

The deaths at tw* o’clock on Wednesday wore estimated at fifteen. The number of wounded is not yet known. Many have been injured at far distant spots through stray bullets. The artillery fired at two hundred Minis range, using high explosive shells, to reduce the risk of fire, as the Four Courts contain some priceless legal documents. The residents in the battle ami have icon removed, hut many are huddled in the basements of some tenement houses, being terrified by the noise of the battle.

LONDON. June 28,

It is reported that in the Dublin battle, although fighting mainly is confined to the Four courts area, sniping is extending afield. Hi(lc'|jeh(!oht Worke s of tin* World and other Conimtitllsts who have a hall behind the Fowler Hall, me co-operating with the irregulars, nod thov have fortified their hall.

LONDON, June 28. The rebels set fire to Fowler Hall, before cvacmPing the building. It is reported a priest has been shot dead,

Tim gates at the main entrance to tl •• Four Courts are now blown down, and the walls of *’ e main building are Imdly smashed h.v the artillery, more of which lias l.een brought into

act •on. , ~ , The rebels, on evacuating howler j I.:) 1, retreated to Mura its Hotel, and lui litiided ilnm selves ill, I'be afl at si mea has thus laten extended and sliipj,„. is gen Tal throughout the city, thr nigii ."which (lie rebels seem to be scattered. • , Kory O’Con n r lias sent the . following message :—“Wo received the Government's demand for our surrender by four a.m., when they would attack with rifles, machine-guns, and field pieces. Our'boys are glorious. They will tight for the Republic to the end. How long will our misguided former conn ados outside attack those who stand for Ireland alone? ffe have three slight casualties so far. I‘athers Albert and Dominic arc with us. Our love to all comrades outside, and to the hr:iVC ( boys of the Dublin Brigade.”

TREE STATERS AMBUSHED. LONi.iON, .June 28. There were several ambushes of Free State troops while they were passim, through the streets in open lorries. Wen in civilian clothes, waited at thecorners with rifles ar.d bandoliers, and these men fired whenever they got a chance. One lorry carrying wounded >vas tired on when it arrived at a hospital, but none of its occupants were hit. A civilian, however, was shot Another lorry, carrying I' rl-e State officers, was ambushed, bombed and smashed in Leeston Street. All the occupants were badly wounded. Two are unlikely to recover.

WIDE DANGER ZONE. LONDON, June 28. Irregulars from the Fowler Hall have occupied the I Ingles Hotel in lower Gardner Street, creating another danger zone in the heart of the city. Free Sta+e troops occupied the roof of the Bank of Ireland, while the National Bank, commanding otic of tlie entrances to Parfiell Square, lias been scifC’tl, but whether by the Free Staters o r the rebels is unknown. The rebels, however, have occupied the Clarence Hotel, opposite Four Courts. There are great fears for the safety of civilians living in the Four Courts area, as this stronghold is known to contain a huge quantity of gelignite, which shells may explode at any moment. _ A motor car from Kildare, with four rebels in it. ran into the. zone of action, and opened fire on the Free Staters, who replied, fatally wounding

one. T It is believed several hundred Irregulars, are trying to get to Dublin to reinforce O’Connor. The roads are guarded, and all sta--1 tions are being watched. | An urgent message has been issued to the Republican Forces to rally to tlie defence of their various positions. I As Wednesday wore on. the Tree State troops were reinforced, and more field guns were brought. Ten lorry loads of troops came from Germnnstown. : ‘ THURSDAY’S FIGHTING. I LONDON. Jufie 29. Four Courts and other 'buildings wore still in rebel occupation at midright. when fighting .was proceeding in manv districts. Snipers, machine guns, and held guns wore operating intermittently. The London “Daily Chronicle s ’ special correspondent aeroplaned to and f-rni TViblin. Ho understands that the (■•nun tv Dublin Republican regiments •ire now mobilising for the purpose ot relieving the Four Courts garrison.

STTLL HOLDING OFT. LONDON, June 29 Heavy firing lias continued all night in Dublin. O’Conner is bolding out. Colonel Moudenville and Captain Vanrrlmn. Free Staters, were ambushed and "fatally wounded this morning.

DE VALERA SILENT. LONDON, June 29 Mr De Valera declines to make any statement regarding the situations in Dublin. It is recalled that Mr De Valera, made a statement at the last meeting of the Dail Eireann. Ho said that an agreement had been ratified which, if faithfully observed and given an opportunity of working, would produce internal pence, make the nation strong against the only enemy it had to fear outside. That agreement had been broken, at the bidding of the English, anti Irishmen to-day were shooting in the ■ streets. I The Free Staters’ task of reducing : the fortress, however, demands mneli artillery, of which two guns are so far available.

It will'thus take a long time to accomplish the task. Rory O’Connor somehow contrives to issue inflaming bulletins, describing the fight, and appealing to passion. It is recognised the Government s anxiety centres around the Free State troops, who are loyal and courageous, hut lack experience. The general belief is that Rory will not surrender till the Four Courts have become battered and demolished.

FIGHT FOR FOUR COURTS. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 29. Several northern leaders of tho IRA were arrested while proceeding to Dublin. Four Courts garrison is said to possess an unlimited supply of ammunition and rations. The latest reports indicate the entrance into the struggle against Collins of Independent workers of the world. Members of this organisation occupy several buildings in the city, including Moran’s hotel. » All are armed with revolvers. and rifles and they have laid an electric mine in the centre of the roadway, with the object of ambushing the Dail vehicles. , *

I)AIL’S APPEAL. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 29. The Dail Minister for Defence has issued a statement that the country s prestige is being destroyed, and social and economic life is being reduced to chaos bv disorder invading the country’s life, through men seeking to arrogate authority to interfere wRh and destroy lives and property of their countrymen. The Minister appeals to the Army to stand by and do their

Dublin presents the appearance of a beleagued city. Many shops are clo ed down and others are shattered, but dS business. .Thus far there is no serious breach In the walls of . Four Coutrs. The si««e ma >" ,aRt a siderable time.

CHURCHILL'S EXPLANATION. ( 1 '" LONDON, June 28. Mr Churchill, in the. House of Commons, staid the attack on the hour Courts .had in no way arisen out of the Irish debate in the British Parliament, or in consequence of the Imperial Government’s declarations. It arose, ga id as a result of the further action of Rory. O’Connor and the insurgent..