THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAIiI.K ASSOC*../TON NEWS FROM DUB UN. (Received this "day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, July -2. A Dublin message states on Sunday afternoon Irregulars were still in possssion of all the buildings occupied after the fall of Four Courts. No concerted attacks had yet been made, but Free Staters are surrounding the affected areas. In O’Connell street and Rutland Square sniping and machine gunning has been general throughout the day. Irregulars laid mines around their positions so the Government troops are forced to advance warily, rn order to avoid a repetition of the explosion whereto they were subjected at Four Courts. Rig garrisons are bolding out at Raphoe and Convoy, lelegraph wires have been cut and no one is allowed to enter the two towns. 1‘ re« Staters are concentrating at lnchfort for tbe reconquest of Donegal.

IRISH NEWS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 1. Irregulars seized the “Examiner” offices. Free Staters captured Cardinagh barracks after an hour’s fighting. The country districts are fairly quiet. Several small conflicts occurred but n« serious fighting. It is understod that intermediaries are trying to arrange peace negotiations iii Dublin.

IRISH REBEL CHIEF. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, July 2. Oscar Traynor, formerly Commandant of the Dublin Brigade, is chief military adviser to De Valera at Gresham hotel. A letter published suggests Traynor on Friday ordered Rory O’Connor to surrender Four Courts, on the ground that Traynor was unable to fight bis way to O’Connor and could do better it Four Courts were surrendered. The message ended “I am senior officer and am entitled to order you to make a move which places me in a better military position.” There is no evidence, however, Mint O’Connor obeyed. MORE DUBLIN FIGHTING. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) ' LONDON, July 2. An attack is proceeding in Dublin on rebel atitongholdfc. Moran’s hotel surrendered displaying the white flag after two shells were fired. Gresham Hotel (de. Valera’s headquarters) is under bombardment. Six further deaths have occurred as the result of Saturdays fighting, including, a British soldier, who was sniped at from Moran’s Hotel. Three other English soldiers were wounded at the same time. The “Daily Express” correspondent wirelessing from a steamer in Dublin Harbour on Sunday evening, -ays n desperate battle is developing. , Archbishop Byrne and the .Lord Mayor visited de Valera at Gresham Hotel on Sunday morning and asked him to surrender. De Valera refused. Accordingly, Collins, ordered the attack in Snckville Street area, to recommence. A heavy artillery bombard- j ment followed and fierce fighting took j place in the centre of the city where a j block of buildings were protected by a barricade of vehicles. Extending for three quarters of a mile windows were filled with mattresses and various Buildings connected by tunnels. 'Rifle, fire is continuous. Many land mines were exploded. Fifty rebels were captured in Sunday’s fighting in Dublin. j

THE FIGHT IN THE SOUTH. (Received this day at I ) P m ) LONDON, July ‘2,

A press sheet issued bv the Republicans states—“ General O’Maille, and Commandant General Griffin who were captured in connection with Four Courts escaped, and are again operating with the Republicans, who have been reinforced by men and material.”

Free State troops are garrisoning Trinity College, where a famous book of Kells and other priceless manuscripts are kept. Civilians in Dublin are already suffering. Ranks are largely closed and wage earners are unable to obtain money. Unemployed are also unable to obtain their dole from the labour exchange. The food supply of Dublin is threatened, as the Republicans are commandeering the contents of shops in the suburban areas which are denuded of food. Republicans are seizing provisions and clothing all over the South. Some shops are so depleted that they have been obliged to close. Scarcely a motor car is now left with private traders. Touring cars were snapped up evervywhere. Republicans have appointed censors in tire provincial newspaper offices who are cutting out reports of successes of Free State troops. Official reports from the provinces, .however, emphasise the trouble is being effectively dealt with. Free Staters operating in Kilkenny, captured Callan barracks, while Irregulars in Tipperary burned all the outlying barracks and retreated to Clonmel. There were large captures in Donegal, where Free Staters are in complete control, except the eastern district, where the "Last Ditchers” are concentrated.