FREE AGAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1920, Page 5

FREE AGAIN.

ESCAPE FROM SINN FEIN. GENERAL'S ADVENTURE. o By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Dublin, July 30. Brigadier-General Lucas, who was a prisoner of the Sinn Fein, has escaped. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received August 1, 5.5 p.m. London, July 30. The full story of General Lucas' escape is not yet available, but reports atate that the prisoner managed to remove the bars guarding the window of his room. He escaped in the darkness and wandered for hours about the countryside until nine o'clock in the morning, when the General, who was wearing civilian clothes, saw and hailed a military lorry passing along the main road from Limerick to Limerick junction. The soldiers were immensely surprised, and were at first incredulous, 1-ut they speedily realised the stranger's identity, and took him on board. They had proceeded as far as the village of Oola, where their progress was blocked by a tree felled across the rjnd | The lorry was pulled up, whereupon a volley of shots rang out. The soldiers jumped to the ground and returned the fire, and a desperate battle followed. While it was in programs a second party arrived from Limerick, followed l)y Jialf-a-dozen armed police from Oola, where the firing had bien heard. The reinforcements were subjected to heavy fire, but eventually the raiders retreated, and the lorries, carrying (he General and the soldiers, three wounded men, and the bodies of two comrades killed in the encounter, proceeded to Limerick. General Lucas had a slight scratch on the face; otherwise he is in robust health. The Oola battle lasted tin hour, and when the news reached Limerick there was great military activity. Armored cars and large forces of troops proceeded to the scene, and scoured the countryside. General Lucas' father was at the news. He says letters have been arriving regularly from the General, staling the Sinn Foiners throughout treated him extremely well. Genera! Lucas refused an offer of freedom on condition he gave parole, and promistd not to disclose the place of his captivity. It is believed three or more republicans were shot in the fight.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received August 1, 11.5 p.m. London, July 31. The military refuse all information regarding General Lucas' escape.—Ans.N.Z. Cable Assn.