IRISH WARFARE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1922, Page 5

IRISH WARFARE.

BATTLE-IN PROGRESS. THE POSITION TO-DAY. REBELS MUST BE BROKEN. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, July 20. The Irish Government, giving a statement regarding the general situation following the peace suggestions, recalls the outrages of organised bands, who for many months have flouted the authority of the Government daily. The statement proceeds to say the National forces are supreme in the w r hole twelve counties of Leinster, and in Monaghan, Cavan, Roscommon, Leitrim and Clare. They still have opposition to deal with in Donegal and Sligo, and harder work in Galway, Limerick and Tipperary, while Waterford, Cork, Kerry and Mayo are in subjection to the Irregulars. The term, subjection is used advisedly, for in these counties the people overwhelmingly favor the treaty, and the Irregulars rule there by no other authority than armed force.' The safety and future welfare of the nation depends upon the power of the Irregulars being broken. A peace built upon a compromise with forces which have behaved as the Irregulars have behaved would be a peace too costly for ithe Irish nation. The rails at Raheny station, near 'Dublin, have been torn up, thus severing all communication with Northern Ireland. Fierce fighting has occurred in Limerick and Waterford. The Nationals are closing on the rebel strongholds in Limerick County, where starvation was averted when the Nationals came to the rescue. Artillery fire has been directed against the military barracks and gaol occupied by the rebels at Waterford. The city lies on the south barfk of the river, and the Nationals occupy all the north bank, from which they are raining heavy fire on the mutineer positions. lExcept for the combatants Waterford is deserted. The population has fled for safety to the coast resorts. ATTACK ON WATERFRONT. OPENING OF THE BATTLE. SLAUGHTER BY LAND MINES. Received July 21, 5.5 p.m. London, July 20. The attack on Waterford commenced on Tuesday night. Several columns of Free Staters advanced cautiously from Kilkenny, but were cut off from entrance to the city by the raising of the drawbridge over the ; River Suir. They were thus obliged <0 '. (ake up positions on the Kilkenny side cf the river. The Free Staters, from concealed positions in the woods of Mount Misery, which towers above the railway terminus, are now raining bullets upon the rebel positions in the town. Rebel snipers can oe seen in the church steeples. Sligo reports that 30 Free Staters, riding in three lorries, were blown up by land mines and then fired on by machine-guns. Only one survived. A Dublin message states that in connection with the peace meeting of Parliamentarians, convened by the Labor Party, only 11 Laborites and the Lord Mayor attended, and it was declared abortive. A Free State communique states the irregulars retreated from Tullemore in motors. They burned the barracks, courthouse and gaol before leaving. The communique adds that by the blowing up of the Valahide railway bridge communication has been cut off from Dublin and the towns northwards.

FIGHTING FOR LIMERICK. FALL OF CITY EXPECTED. Received July 21, 8.15 p.m. London, July 21. The latest reports indicate that the fall of Limerick city is imminent. Heavy fighting has been in progress for days, and it is reported that 20 were killed and 50 wounded, including a number of civilians. The Free Staters are using 18-pounders against Waterford. IRISH LEGISLATION. COMMONS MEETING IN AUTUMN. Received July 21, 5.5 p.m. London, July 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Austen Chamberlain said there must be an autumn session for Irish legislation.