THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

f FREE STATE USES BIG GUNS. LONDON, July 21. [ When day broke at Waterford today ,thc Irregulars, who had not taken any prisoners, fought desperately. - Fire was reopened by the Nationalists from the opposite hide of the river Suir, under cover of a barrage. The Free Staters penetrated further into the city. 1 lie Irregulars endeavoured to make a stand at the Post Office, but were driven out by heavy shelling. Some reports state the Irregulars are lighting rearguard actions in the south-east corner of the town.

] t is believed they have suffered many casualties. Big guns are now supporting the Xatiotialist troops in Limerick. Their advent was welcomed by a semi-starved population, who wore in an a],palling state. They rushed into the, bullet-swept streets; and welcomed the artillery, which, at iiifi'nibe labour was drawn for miles over rough roads to the city. DUBLIN, July 21. An Irish Nationalist communique states: The Strand Barracks, in Limerick, have fallen. Our troops are now investing the Castle Barracks. The Irregulars set fire to business houses, and sniped the lire lighters, who were unable to continue until J tlie troops protected them. , TONHON, July 21. I ' The Nationalist troops have captured many Irregulars in Limerick, and have also'secuied a quantity of arms an i ammunition. FREE STATE LEADER SHOT. LONDON, July 22. At the inquest on Commandant Rooney, who was shot in a funeral ambush (cabled on July 19) the jury returned a verdict that he was brutally murdered. Commandant Brennan said that the dead were always sacred, blit here in Galway they were not sacred, i lie Irish Government elected by the Irish people was going to bight and put down tyranny and murders that were being committed in the name of freedom. ■ FALL OF WATERFORD EXPECTED. LONDON, July 22. i iie capitulation of the rebels in Waterford is reported. It is regarded as militarily very significant. The city of Waieriord was the pivotal point of their hue between Waterford l and Limerick. 'I heir evacuation of i Clonmel and of Garrick-on-Suir is expected shortly. The rebels' arms are mainly of a ;..erinan pattern, ns they include Mauser ntid Maimlicher lilies, and Mauser parabelluin pistols.

A reign of terror prevails in parts of Roscommon and Sligo, Irregulars raiding, looting and entering farm houses during the night time, turning out occupants ami taking possession of beds.

DESTRUCTION AT LIMERICK. LONDON. July 22. The Irregulars left a trail of destniciion in their wake at Limerick. The great lien Barracks, the Ordnance Barracks and other buildings that were set afire by them are a mass of burning fuiiiS: The Nationalist troops, by capturing Cast I ere a, from u strong force of Irregulars, without any loss, have achieved an important success in West Ireland.

Supported by a.n eighteen-pounder min, they converged on the town, shelling i’t. This soon compelled the surrender of the Irregular garrison. The entry of the National troops was enthusiastically welcomed by the famished townspeople. The Irregulars have hurriedly vacate*! tlie towns of llinr and Tullamore, which nre now in the possession of the Nationlist troops. Sensation) raids were made by armed men on four Dundalk banks, and sums varying from two to four hundred were stolen. In the Munster nad Leinster Bank at Dundalk some robbers Ordered a priest, Canon Douliellan to Bail up!” He refused, and declined even at the poiiit of the revolver, to go to the strong room. Instead, he seized two inkwells, and flung them through the window into the street, where the crash of glass attracted Free State troops, who trained a machine-gun on to the hank, and surrounded the building. The raiders attempted to leave by the reolr, but three were captured. A fourth, who was carrying the cash escaped, In the Hibernian Bank at Dundalk a lady clerk grappled with a robber who struck her. She held on gamely, but was shaken off. She then followed’the fleeing raider down the street but was outdistanced. The robbers met no opposition in the Dundalk Bank of Ireland, and at the National Bank.

REPUBLICANS LEAVE LIMERICK LONDON, July 22. Among tlie buildings in Limerick that were set on fire by the Iriegulurs, are the ancient Castle of St John the Ordnance building, and the new Infantry Barracks. The flames spread rapidly’ to the adjoining buildings, and the new Infntry Barracks. T. and the whole city was illuminated during the night. The crackling of the burning buildings was punctated by numerous explosions, which were caused by the Ir■regulars’ ammunition dumps taking Before the city fell, the Irregulars offered a serious resistance from the Strand Barracks whence they covered the retirement of the main body, which earlier had contrived to escape through the Free Staters cordon, which was thrown around the town. , . . Lte Thursday night, the remaining Republican garrison, numbering 23, all Limerick men, left the Strand Barracks by means of a tunnel, but they were taken prisoners.

LIMERICK OCCUPIED. LONDON, July 21. Eree Staters have completely occupied Limerick. ___