THE HEXT PHASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1922, Page 5

THE HEXT PHASE.

NEW ATTACK PENDING. F-~ n M REBELS FORTIFY POSITIONS, LULL WILL BE SHORT. Received July 2, 5.3 p.ni. London, July 1. Telegraphic communication with Dublin has been restored. The captured Republican leaders appealed to the Republicans in other buildings to surrender, but so far this has produced no result. The explosion in the Four Courts is reported to be due to the fact that while Free State troops were passing an empty room in the Record Office, one of them accidentally kicked a mine fuse. An official Free State bulletin states the leader of the irregulars admitted that the Four Courts mine was deliberately exploded, and he expressed surprise that the casualties were not greater. The total Free State casualties were three killed and five officers and 20 others wounded.

The irregulars shot dead a man wearing the distinctive badge of a first-aid detachment, and another who was driving an ambulance. In consequence of these and other acts of treachery, as well as the looting of certain premises by persons wearing the garb of Red Cross workers, all such were shot on sight. Over 50 more irregulars stationed in Capel Street surrendered during the morning. The rebels stationed in Moran’s Hotel, Talbot Street, their present headquarters, fired on an armored car containing national troops. Immediately afterwards the car ran over a land mine in the centre of the roadway, and a terrific explosion followed. Several occupants of the car were wounded. All approaches to the hotel were subsequently barricaded in preparation for an attack. Sniping is proceeding in many streets, which were rapidly deserted. Dail troops are being reorganised for the next offensive. Irregulars this morning seized lorries, carts, bread vans and other vehicles in the centre of Dublin and proceeded to erect barricades. They also visited the vegetable market and took commodities.

The Minister for Defence has issued the following manifesto to the Dublin, command: “You have fought and suffered, and dared death, to make safe for Ireland what she has just regained, and in the hour of victory your soldierly restraint in the face of almost intolerable provocation is a shining example. It is said British troops cooperated with you. The nation spurns this calumny.”

The Sunday Express’ correspondent states the rebels have seized and fortified 20 buildings since the fall of the Four Courts, and the present lull in fighting will be short. De Valera is directing operations from the Gresham Hotel, where until recently Mr. Collins lodged. Communication between the buildings and the Gresham Hotel was established by breaking down the inside walls. The rebels also hold the tramway offices in Sackville Street. The irregulars have been ordered to vacate their positions in Capel Street, where the next battle is expected.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FIGHTING ELSEWHERE. REBELS DEFEATED IN RAID. A SURPRISE ATTACK. Received July 2, 5.5 p.m. London, July 1. The Ulster Association states it has now ascertained that the British officers who were kidnapped at Macroom were hanged from a tree by the IJJ.A. Free Staters seized the railway station at Drogheda, where severe fighting is in full swing. Railway communication is cut off. The Daily Express’ Belfast correspondent states County Donegal, which has been infested with Republicans for months, was I practically cleared by a surprising swoop ; yesterday, and large numbers of irregulars were taken prisoner by Free State troops. McKeon, the blacksmith of Ballina, interrupted his honeymoon to take charge of i the operations. He surrounded the Sinn | Fein camp at dawn, and when the Republi- ' cans awoke they found themselves hemmed in by a ring of steel. Escape was impos- ’ sible, and they were given an hour to surrender, but they refused; so McKeon, after a two hours’ fight, took the camp at the point of the bayonet. Two Republicans were killed and ten wounded.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

GOVERNMENT MANIFESTO. DUBLIN’S PLIGHT. London, June 30. The Irish Government has issued a manifesto to the people as follows: — “You are faced witty a conspiracy the calculated end of which is to destroy the Treaty signed by your representatives and endorsed by yourselves. You are asked to reject this and engage in a hopeless and unnecessary war with Britain. The people in the Four Courts say they are fighting for a Republic; in reality they are fighting to bring the British back- Liberty will be secured to all under constitutional guarantees, but there will be constitutional liberty. No man shall be permitted to do violence to the views of his neighbor or the will of the majority.” The Free Staters are rounding up the rebel strongholds in the country. Their latest activities ar£ directed towards Letterkenny, Buncrana and other centres in Donegal. Troops attacked Ballymacool House in Letterkenny with bombs, mach-ine-guns and rifles. The rebel occupants surrendered and were taken prisoner after lively exchanges, together with arms, munitions and stolen motor-cars. Irregulars at Buncrana surrendered without a fight and handed over a large quantity of ammunition. Free Staters are occupying the telephone exchanges, post offices and railway stations. The casualties are unknown, but are believed to be slight. Commandant Barry, one of the signatories to the rebels’ proclamation, was captured when trying to enter the Four Courts disguised as a nurse. He was accompanied by a woman find sought admittance on the ground of humanity. Several mines were found inside and outside after the tig assault, which occurred during a heavy rain storm. The meeting of the Provisional Parliament has been postponed till July 7.