MARTIAL LAW

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1920, Page 5

MARTIAL LAW

PROPOSED FOR IRELAND. REIGN OF TERRORISM CONTINUES, GRAVE THREAT TO TRAINS'. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrlibt. Received July 1.8, 11.5 p.m. London, July 17. It is understood that Cabinet, during the coming week, will discuss the question of proclaiming martial law in the affected districts of Ireland, where each day brings a fresh crop of disorders. It is reported that Sir Hamar Greenwood (Chief Secretary for Ireland) opposes martial law. He believes there is a growing disgust at the Sinn Fein extremists, and the police are receiving secret offers of assistance in several districts. Sinn Feiners Sontinue to warn drivers that theV will be shot if trains carry troops, and consequently the train serI vices suffer dislocation. A hundred armed men stopped the mail train between Belfast and Londonderry. They covered the driver, the fireman, and the guard with revolvers, seized official correspondence, and then decamped. Another gang stopped a passenger train on the Dundalk-Enniskillen line. They kidnapped the driver and the fireman, leaving the train stranded. Dublin Castle has authorised the police to invoke military aid in suppressing and arresting Irish volunteers assembling •in order to undertake self-assumed police functions. Constable while motoring homeward, was shot dead near Limfcrick. Forty special jurymen attended a meeting called * anonymously at Cork, and decided to boycott the Assizers. Recent encounters with Sinn Feiners resulted in" the police killing fifty and arresting thirty. Many successful raids for arms we're effected.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EARLY MORNING BATTLE. VARIED LIST OF CRIMES, i

Received July ,18, 5.5 p.m. London, July 17. A battle lasting an hour raged in the village of Ballylanders, in County Limerick, before dawn. Sixty police and soldiers carrying tout a raid search for arms arrived in motor lorries and were greeted with Shots from windows and chimneys, and from behind fences. Sinn Feiners continued, the fusillade until the troops, promptly taking cover, energetically replied to the attack and gained the upper hand, capturing eight Sinn Feiners, one badly wounded. It was announced at the Roscommon Assizes that a constable was shot dead on his way to the Assizes, and .the Judge said: "It shows the deplorable condition of the country that a man should bo assassinated for coming to do his duty;" Sinn Feiners burned the Bunchana Courthouse, "in County Donegal. A Sinn Fein court at Thurles ordered the deportation of four deserters from English - regiments, who had « brief career as highwaymen. They stole bicycles, and held up and robbed several travellers. Sinß Feiners escorted the prisoners on board a steamer bound for England,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.