THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

MJBTRAI.IAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

REBELS FIGHT EACH OTHER. LONDON, July IJFierce fighting occurred between rebels at Timaho, following an by Free State troops that the iebel should evacuate the police in fifteen minutes. Half the • irarfison walked out and the othei halt immediately fired upon those d»-ing The latter dropped to tnei of shots lasted two hours when the r bels in the barracks were- toicea w retire. , , i matched Free State troops "ho naci ' nfrCnd th two e ni:n dead and four wounded.

SEEKING BIG ARMY. LONDON, July 13The establishment of a Free State Amy Council leads to the belief that large operations are imminent The situation is regarded with some the «.k» »f "cleaning «P” the South >nd «o.,thwest of Ireland are growing more difficult than it was in Dublin. The first operations will probably he in Tullamore, where there are a thousand rebels, who are cut off and the Free Staters are enveloping the town. The rebels' forces are missing southward of Sligo, where a clash is m°V,Tto°’ hundred rebels ambushed a party of Free Staters at Ballmtogher, Filling three, wounding ten and capturing five.

ACCOUNT OF DUBLIN FIGHT. LONDON, July 14The Irish Republicans in Cork have commandeered the “Cork Exammer daily newspaper. In this the Rebels’ publicity department has Published an account of the Four Courts battle in Dublin. The account is described as an amazing blasphemous version of the Four Courts battle. ) The account is ns follows Our flag s folds are emblematic of the varying and various aims and interests of our nation, which are united in their adhesion to the flagstaff, which typifies the unyielding, indomitable spirit of determination that animates all of our soldiers The three colours chosen are emblematic of the Three Divine Persons in one God, to whom our cause is consecrated, and under Whose protect,on it has been placed. At the moment of the attack on the Four Courts, when war was suddeny forced upon us, the first thought of our brave defenders was to fall on their knees in solemn prayer, consecrating themselves to their cause and their country through the Blessed Virgin to the Sacred Heart. They then manned the parapets, mid shot and shell, and continued to defy the might and main of an Empire’s attackers, until nothing was left to defend. Never was seen even at Verdun sterner or brnver},’- defenders. Its defence 'against sudden attack by overwhelming odds! Never was known greater dismay and consternation among the attackers! All their plans had hopelessly miscarried.” “Their lightning stroke of the bud-

ding Field-Marshals, planned by McOready and approved by Wilson, before lie took bis departure from Ireland, < were for evermore shattered before the despeate resistance of the true men of Ireland. Man proposes but Clod diposes I”

FREE STATE REPORT. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) DUBLIN, July 14. An official communique states the National Army’s operations in south and west have been materially hampered by wanton destruction and. seizure of private property ljy irregulars. In many instances the civilian population suffered serious losses, and endured great hardships and privations. National troops found Wexford in actual want. According to latest reports from Limerick shops and ships in harbour have been looted. There is serious starvation in the other parts. The destruction 2f bridges apd railways and blockade of highways seriously hampered transport of footstuffs wherever Irregulars concentrated in strength. There is a furv of the wholesale detraction. Following the advance of the national forces, Irregulars vacated hotels seized in Waterford, and are returning in large numbers to the country district.

The Irregulars original idea was to bold a line from New Ross to Limerick. These ambitions and plans arc crumpling with a loss of their bold on Wexford County. Their present positions in Waterford, Carrick-on-Suir, Clonmel and Tipperary are wholly defensive, and in the event of an advance by nationals, they will probably retreat to Coineragh mountains.'