CIVIL WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1920, Page 5

CIVIL WAR.

I FIGHTING IN LONDONDERRY. 0 FIERCE NIGHT BATTLE, WOMEN TERRORISED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, June 23. Fierce night fighting over a, wide area occurred in Londonderry. St. Columba's Catholic College was attacked by rifle fire and there were numerous casualties. A Catholic named McKenna was shot . dead in Bishop's Street and lay in the bullet-swept street until a priest went out and administered the last rites. At 9.30 this morning Unionist and Nationalist volunteers erected barricades surmounted by sandbags over which they continued fighting fiercely, while troops were less than one hundred yards away to prevent individuals venturing into the danger area. Looting was indulged in extensively during the night, particularly in publichouses. A renewed attack on St. Columba's College was repulsed, while the Irish volunteers retaliated vigorously by attacking the Unionist districts, from which women and children fled.—Aus.N.Z. CaCble Assn. DEAD ON THE STREETS. POLICE FORCE POWERLESS. REINFORCEMENTS BEING SENT. Received June 24, 8.30 p.m. London, June 23. Despite official assurances that quiet reigns in Londonderry, correspondents re- ! port that many dead and wounded are lying in the streets as a result of fierce fighting, which has been raging since ! midnight. Hotels in the neutral area near the Guildhall are crowded with refugees. Elsewhere the city consists of a patch--1 work of Sinn Fein and Orange areas, in which man hunts are of frequent occurrence. A hundred policemen on duty, realising their powerlessness, seldom appear in the . streets. Young soldiers remain coolly in the streets, but their orders are only to fire in extreme circumstances. They . watch the man hunt 3 unmoved from , doorways, while rival parties are shootin* j Reinforcements, including cavalry, are ; being, sent by sea with a view to avoid- , ing delays, which are likely if the raili ways are used, i Lord French and Sir Nevil Macßeady conferred with Mr. Lloyd George at i Downing Street.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES. EEAR OF RIOTING SPREADING. I MACHINE GUNS IN ACTION. Received June 24, 5.45 p.m. London, June 24. Hundreds of Derry refugees are arriving at Tyrone and Donegal- They were forced to leave their homes by bands of armed men. There is a movement in other northern towns to join if the Derry riots continue. Machine guns are now in action in the streets of Derry, where another night of terror is certain. A destroyer conveying marines has reached Lough Foyle.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. [The mention of Londonderry and Derry in the cables should not be read to indicate (two separate centres. It is the same Ulster town, and either name may be used. Lough Foyle is four miles ftom Londonderry.] EXTENSION OF FIGHTING." FOOD SUPPLY ENDANGERED. _____ CITIZENS DESERT THE TOWN. Received June 24, 8-5 p.m. London, June 23. " The Londonderry fighting has extended to new areas. A hundred casualties are reported. The firing is increasing, and snipers are busy from house-tops. Serious fighting is in progress at Waterside (a suburb on the east side of ,the River Foyle, opposite the city). Unionists "hold the Carlisle bridge, and food supplies in the city are running out. Milk and other commodities that reach Londonderry ara being commandeered by the fighters. Magistrates have requested that destroyers should be sent. Many citizens are leaving the town. Vigorous action is expected in Londonderry when reinforcements arrive.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. --——- ■'■. V GOVERNMENT TO ACT. <%■ RIOTERS TO BE DISARMED. Received June 24, 10.10 p.m; j London, June 24. ' It is understood the Government has decided to surround and disarm the Lou-1 donderry rioters.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. j . NEGOTIATIONS DESIRED. j Received June 24, 8,5 p.m. London, June 23. Mr. Arthur Griffiths, acting Sinn Fein' President, interviewed, said that if Mr. Lloyd George's statement that he is willing to discuss the situation means private conversations, that is useless, but !i accredited representatives of Britain aw prepared to meet accredited representatives of the Irish Government, the proposal will be acceptable.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ,