IRISH TRAGEDY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17109, 2 April 1921, Page 9

IRISH TRAGEDY.

POLICE BARRACKS. DESTROYED. A DESPERATE FIGHT. (B_v Cable—Press Association—CoprrvrM.) (Australian aud-N.Z. Cab!»j Association.) ■LONDON', March 31. _ A large forco of armed mt?n blew up the Ross Carbery (Cork)® police barracks. The attack opened at 2 o'clock in the morning, when bombs and explosives demolished the front wall, and lasted for several hours. TJiero "-vras heavy and continuous rifle fire. The garrison, numbering 22, held the barracks until the last room took fire, and then six escaped, from an upper ■window Five police wero killed, 12 ■wounded, and two are missing. The explosions were heard 30 miles distant. Reinforcements were despatched'to the scone, but, as motor tiaffic was impossible, owing to'the destruction of the bridges, they were obliged to walk. When they arrived, the attackers had disappeared, taking tji r- equipment from the destroyed barracks. • stated that the rebels lost heavily. Hk- police captured a Lewis gun, a German aeroplane gun, and 5000 rounds of ammunition in a Stable in Harcourt street, Dublin. "William Lattimer, a farmer living near Mohill did not respond to a demand to go outside, whereupon a bomb was thrown through a window. Lattinier went outside and was shot dead. (Received April Ist, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 1. Tlio latest report soys that ten policemen arc dewd at Ross Carbery. A tragic story is told of the defenders' fight amid' the flames until they wero driven from their last refuge in a small upper room, whence thoy leaped to the ground, landing amid barbed wire defences. Tliev thus became the target for the attackers' concentrated fire. Onlv thrpe roli°emen escaped. .They reached Clonakiity. It is believed that most of the casulties were due to the explosion of the store of bombs and other ammunition.

CONDITIONS IN IRELAND

STATEMENT ISSUED JN AMERICA,

(Received April Ist, 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 31. Tho British Embassy has issued a. statement commenting upon the Commission's report on Ireland, which charges the Crown forces wrfch perpetrntinV atrocities. The' statement says these reports are entitled to exactly the same amount of weight which should be given' to anv judgment based entirely on ex parte evidence. The report is biased and wholly misleading both as to its general conclusions and in matters of detail. . ~ J _ , , . The statement denies that Ireland is a devastated country, and asserts that it is one of the most prosperous parts of Europe, that tlie deposits in the joint stock banlfcs have increased by £53,000.000 since 1914, and that the Sinn Fein votes cast at the 1918 election were loss than 500,000 out, of 2 000 000. The Commission's report admits that it did not receive-any evidence from British sources. The British Embassy further states tihat misapprehension appears to exist regarding the necessity, for raising fund* in America for Irish relief wonc. Statistics show that Irelaud was never more prosperous than now, . In ail cases, the distress and destitution, aside from unemployment, due to normal trade depression, and normal poverty, are"due directly to the Sinn Fern rebellion ; The Sinn Fein regions .refuse to accept..funds raised m the-United Kingdom .for their aid, but appeal .to America for charity. Tho British- Government, while not agreeing that there is any need for American charity, wih. not place unnecessary obstacles in the way of anv* charitable organisation constituted on a strictly non-political basis.

THE SOUTHERN UNIONISTS.

LONDON, March 31'

Cardinal Logue received a deputation of southern Unionists. It'is understood that tho deputation had lefererice to opening negotiations between the Datl Eireann and the Government. THE CASE OF ESMOND.

(Received April Ist, 9.55 p.mV) VANCOUVER, March 31

Esmonde, having undertaken to embark without delay for England, lias been permitted to cross Canada under! surveillance. ,

THE MELBOURNE INCIDENT.

MELBOURNE, April 1. The Prime Minister, Mr Hughes, referring to the document found on ono of tho men charged with forcibly removing tho Union Jack from' the St. Patrick's Day procession, said the question was whether the document ■ was genuine. . Amongst the names mentioned in_ it was that of a member of the British Parliament. The probability was that the nariies and designations' used wero not to be regarded too seriously. If they turned out to be genuine, the necessary steps would be taken. Peopio could not come to Australia and iise it as a vantage ground for tho propagation of sedition against the Empire.. The police are investigating whether, as the document alleges, a branch of the Irish Republican Army actually exists in Australia.