THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLIi ASSOCIATION. FIGHTING OUTSIDE DUBLIN. ■■ LONDON, July 8. Tlie Nationalists have dislodged the rebels from all their strongholds at Boyle ,after three days fighting. Over one thousand Free Staters are now engaged in encircling Dublin lulls. They then advanced from six points. They are wel lequipped with machine guns and bombs. From the first contact, the Irregulars began rapidly to retreat in the direction of Blessington, many abandoning their arms. Whether Mr do Valera is at Blessington is nut clear. Mr Austin Stack is reported to be with Mr Do Valenti, in charge of a rebel column.

HKIM’BLICANS’ BESISTANCK. LONDON. July 7

Two thousand Free State (Nationalist) troops, sent an ultimatum demand ing the surrender at Skeggohouse of the local Irregulars. The Free Staters the nattacked the Irregulars. The place is near Londonderry.

A heavy id fie and machine gun fire began, and the light is now continuing.

Republicans are in possession of the military and the police barracks of Waterford city, where goods and provisions are being seibcd. and cars coin--111 indeered, Hotel-keepers have been compelled to provide accommodation for Republicans gratis.

The “Daily Chronicle’s” Dublin eorlespondent states that the Free State trr.ops have opened a series of campaigns nginst rebels outside Dublin city. They are rounding up small hands in remote districts, whence they had conducted looting raids. The Free State encircling movement is well organised, already it is meeting with success, and despite many difficulteis, ar, the roads are mined and trenched.

REVOLT QUELLED

PARTICULARS OF damage. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 9. Irish official reports indicate the' Nationalist forces have practically quelled the revolt. Thousands of prisoners were taken d tiring the week, and all prominent Irregular leaders, except Do Valera, have been rounded up. De Valera escaped from Gresham Hotel when the Nationalist attack was. imminent, and it is stated he is sheltering in an ecclesiastical institution. Nationalists troops routed the Irregulars at Keogh House, after six bouts fighting, taking sixty prisoners, mostly Londonderriuns, who for the past couple of mouths have plundered trains ami loyalists shops, giving the loot, including furs and finery to their women fill;. Considerable looting was also don? at Blessington, where Nationalist troops captured t lie 1 die I stronghold, taking over one hundred prisoners.

The rebel garrison at Ferns surrendered and Drogheda is now completely controlled by Nationalist troops.

Dublin architects estimate it "'ll take four years lo rebuild the devastated areas, exclusive of Four Courts. The casualties of the National forces in Four Courts and Sm-kville street fighting are officially stated to lie sixteen killed and 1‘22 wounded.