IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1922, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

PRIMEVAL BARBARISM. TASK OF GOVERNMENT. WAR COSTS MILLIONS, By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Aug. 4, 5.30 p.m. London, Aug. 3. In the House of Commons, Sir J. G. Butcher (Coalition Unionist) called attention to the grave situation in Ireland, and expressed the opinion that if it were allowed to continue, the country would be reduced to a condition of primeval barbarism. Despite the awful outrages and murders, no one had been brought to justice or executed. Mr. Churchill replied that the dominant fact was that the Provisional Government was engaged Tn suppressing a rebellion which was set on foot against its authority and against- the will of the people, who felt that if they could not establish law and order, the great experiment of Irish self-government would be defeated. Irish opinion was consolidated in support of the Provisional Government. The Imperial Government had nothing to regret in the course events had taken. It is estimated that the civil war has cost Ireland about 70 millions sterling. Dublin claims now a total of seven millions, and the damage in Tipperary is estimated at a million. The Irish Bar is seeking for £30,000 for the destruction of the Four Courts. The Provisional Government has begun paying the compensation awarded by the Commission for damage done during hostilities. There had been no considerable exodus of loyalists, and he did not anticipate a reign of terror as a result of the rebels* action. The Free State troops were being welcomed by the populace, and he believed they would continue to advance with the ever-growing support of the Irish people until the rebels were driven back to the hills. He would not, in the present circumstances, institute a time-limit within which the Provisional Government should restore order in Ireland. Nationals in South Limerick are driving the irregulars towards Clonmel. A Nationalist force clearing the irregulars from County Mayo was ambushed between Ballina and Swinford, and the commandant was among those killed. Nationals have captured Cashel. A SURPRISE MOVE. TROOPS LAND FROM SEA. BLOW STRUCK AT REBELS. Received August 4, 5.5 p.m. London, August 3. National troops carried out a wellplanned surprise landing from the sea at Fenit, County Kerry, and an attempt to frustrate the disembarkation of a large force completely failed. The coup takes the irregulars’ left flank in the rear, and the irregulars are retreating from Limerick, which now is open to both a frontal and rear, attack. It is expected the result will be that a large portion of Kerry will be immediately freed from irregulars. i It was a dramatic blow at the rebels’ ; left flank. A large and specially-trained force was secretly transported by a flotilla of ships from Dublin and was taken 400 miles round Southern Ireland to the lonely station of Fenit. which is in the wilds of Dingle Bay. The rebel contingents opposed, but were unable to prevent the land- ■ ing, which was effected under cover of 1 machine-gun and rifle barrage. Some troops leaped into the water and ■ waded to the beach. The covering five I was most effective, with the result that ' the rebels retreated in disorder. The landing force suffered only three slight ; casualties. Within a short period the Free t Staters were in possession of Fenit and established a position which menaces the rebels’ concentrations. REBELS PUT TO FLIGHT. Received Aug. 4, 10.30 p.m. London, Aug. 3. Erskine Childers is in supreme command of the rebels in the Limerick sector, where there is occasional heavy fighting. A rebel attempt to recapture Bruree, as Bisted by two improved armoured cars fitted with machine-guns, ended in a precipitate flight to Kilmallock.