LAMO OF CHAOS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1922, Page 5

LAMO OF CHAOS.

DISTRESS OF THE IRISH. TERRORISM OF GUNMEN. •LOYALISTS STARVING. AN ARMISTICE REJECTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright. Received July 29, 5.5 p.m. London, July 29. An Irishman from Mayo writes to the ' Star: ‘We complained of and fought the I ‘black and tans’ under British rule, but we are suffering under de Valera’s green tans’ much greater. A train whistle has not been heard in Connaught for three weeks, and there is no telegraphic or telephonic communication. The postal ser- ; vices have been suspended. Newspapers are not allowed from outside, and the local newspapers are controlled by the extremists. ‘The roads are made impassable by felled trees, trenches and barricades, which the population, under threat of murder, are compelled to construct. All motors, trucks, petrol oil. bicycles and even spades ■ have been commandeered. Shops have been looted and thus the irregulars have t amassed food, clothing, and other stores, leaving the population partially famined. “Nine-tenths of the people are opposed to de Valera’s gunmen, but the gunmen alone ' possess guns. It is impossible to overthrow bis dictatorship until the regulars gradually liberate the oppressed counties. Fairs and markets have ceased, and our new masters have proclaimed martial law and the curfew. The plain truth is that these forces have degenerated into gangs of robbers." The Free State Government rejected the irregulars’ armistice proposals, demanding unconditional surrender. TIPPERARY’S PLIGHT. PEOPLE FACE STARVATION. RELIEF ANXIOUSLY AWAITED. Received July 29, 5.5 p.m. London, July 29. Messages state that people in the town of Tipperary are in a terrible plight. Irregulars control the town, and all the railways. The telegraphs and telephones have been cut for weeks, and the bridges destroyed. Newspapers have been suspended and factories are closing. Unemployment is increasing daily. There is no coal or gas, and the people are on the brink of starvation, as food supplies are running short. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Free State troops, who have hitherto been unable to penetrate the irregulars’ lines. PEOPLE TIRED OF WAR GOVERNMENT EXPECT SUCCESS. Received July 29, 53 p.m. London. July 29. Nationalist a have captured Glenveagh Caade, in Donegal, containing looted goods, arms, ammunition, and a printing plant which was used io print the irregulars’ war bulletins. The Daily Telegraph's Dublin correspond- ' ent states the masses of the Irish people ! are sick of bloodshed and disorder, and welcome the Free State Government’s de- ! cison to reject the Cork irregulars’ armistice proposals. The Government is confident of success against the rebels. It announces the Dail will not be postponed beyond August 12. The Government is planning the establishment of a commission to deal with all compensation matters arising from the civil war, including the reconstruction of Dublin. REBELS IN LEITRIM CAMPAIGN OF DESTRUCTION. Received July 29. 5 5 pm. London. July 29. Irregulars are tearing up the railway lines and cutting the telegraphs in Leitrim. They are also stopping railway traffic, and armed gangs are preventing railwaymen repairing the damage. REBELS BEING REPELLED. London. July 28. The Irish Government publicity department has issued a statement that the rapid progress of the Nationals in the west and in Munster raises the hope that the raustaace of the Irregulars will be so broken within a fortnight that a further postponement of Parliament will be imnecesnary. Five members of the Ministry and 16 other members of Dail Eireann are actively engaged in the suppression of disorder.