IRELAND

Southland Times, Issue 18836, 1 June 1920, Page 5

IRELAND

SITUATION BECOMING GRAVER. BOYCOTT OF TROOP TRAINS. IMPORTANT DECISIONS PENDING. (By Telegraph.—Frees Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 31. (Received May 31, 7.40 p.m.) Armed men entered the (own of Louth, near Dundalk, Ireland, while the residents were at church, and destroyed the police barracks and church house. When the residents came out of church they were compelled to fetch and carry for the raiders. The burning barracks ignited and destroyed a row of houses.

Jurors summoned for inquests on the ivlma’loek victims absented themselves through fear of victimisation.

Michael Toole, a farm hand, refused to quit the service of an obnoxious farmer at Ballyglas.-, County Mayo. He was waylaid by unrecognisable persons and beaten to death.

The situation arising out of the transport workers’ refusal to move soldiers or military stores is becoming serious. Drivers in the south refused to drive troop trains for the troops, who are arriving in considerable numbers at Queenstown. The position is considered disquieting.

The Daily Chronicle states that an important meeting of the Cabinet has been summoned for to-day to discuss the situation in Ireland. Don! trench. Sir Ilamar Greenwood, and Sir Nevil Macready will attend. The Cabinet will, if necessary, provide means for moving troops and supplies for them. It is estimated that there are now 50,000 troops in Ireland. Several other battalions have been ordered to proceed there from England. The Dailv Chronicle says- editorially that it is high time the Sinn Fein conspirators were frankly treated ns rebels. RISING BELIEVED TO BE IMMINENT. REPORTED NAVAL PRECAUTIONS. LONDON. May 30. The National News states that several warships are being lilted out at Sheerness to proceed to Ireland where the situation is regarded as more serious than reports indicate. It is believed an attempt at rebellion is imminent. "A DISCREDITED POLITICIAN.” LORD FRENCH DEPRIVED OF DERRY’S FREEDOM. LONDON, May 29. The Londonderry Corporation by 19 to 18 votes removed Lord French’s name from the freemen’s roll, the Mayor describing him as a discredited politician.