ROUNDING UP THE REBELS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17498, 5 July 1922, Page 9

ROUNDING UP THE REBELS.

OPERATIONS IN DUBLIN. MANY PRISONERS TAKEN. I IRREGULARS' STRONGHOLDS ! SURROUNDED. fßy Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received July 4th, 8.30 p.ny LONDON, July 4 (7.20 a.m.). The latest Government communique from Dublin reports: "The Dublin Guards' enveloping movement is tearing completion. They have driven out the irregulars from Earl street, and are surrounding the Gresham Hbtel. Thov have captured the Catholic Club opposite, taking 32 prisoners. (Received July 4th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. The Government troops, by an encircling movement, have succeeded in narrowing tho area held by tho rebels to the east side of Upper O'Connell street. There was a lull during the early hours of this morning, but at nine o'block a machine-gun "barrage" started. There was sharp fighting in Sackvillo street. Tho Government troops, operating from O'Connell bridge and the Parnell monument, swept the street with machine-gun fire, mainly against irregulars remaining in their defences. The latter feebly replied. Tho Government troops stormed Cassidy's Hotel, off Parnell street, and ton rebels surrendered. Erskine Childers, in command of a party of irregulars is entrenching in the Dublin mountains. Tho Free State Government has instituted a rigorous, censorship. Business in Dublin io very restricted, hut the provision shops outside of the O'Connell street area are open. No trains or trams are running, and tho newspapers are being published in reduced size. A later Dublin message says: On Monday evening, by means of "pinching" movements,, carefully planned ana courageously executed, fhe'Free State troops gradually penned the main body of the rebels into a very limited area around Sackville street, though enormous difficulties were encountered owing to the number of strong points which the'rebels had created. The Dublin Guards, many of whom saw active service in the war, and were traineld in street fighting, are playing a prominent part in the attack. They are using rifle grenades and machinegun barrages, and under this hail of varied lire, the small rebel garrisons are retiring to tunnels, by means of which, it has' been discovered, in eoms cases the Republicans have escaped. Apart from the machine-gun fire and the grenade bombardment, armoured cars dashed up and down the wide streets sweeping the windows and doorways of the rebel defences with ma-chine-gun fire, and driving ±he Reupblican snipers from their posts. Late this afternoon the Republicans were driven from the Swan publichouse, the Painters' Hall, the Unitarian Church, St. Stephen's Green, and other positions, where considerable captures of arms were made. A Provisional C}bvernment communique states:—"Tho national forces hi Dublin continue to close around the irregulars and cut off all communications between the irregulars in the various hotels. Our troops captured Bridgeman's shop in Parnell square. During the operations last night we captured «i large number of prisoners, many with arms and ammunition, and some in possession of hand grenades." PEACE PARLEYS REFUSED. UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER DEMANDED. (Received July 4th. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. Thus far there have been 250 casualties, including 50 killed, but the Government is guided by a desire to avoid loss of life and preserve Dublin fjrom worse damage. .In this warfare brother is fighting against brother and fathei against son, and the Southern Government may be excused for treating tho Republicans with what English minds may regard as undue leniency. Mr de Valera to-day endeavoured to secure a peace pact from the Provisional Government, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr L. O'Neill, acting as intermediary, but the. Government replied that it would accept only unconditional surrender, as it is determined that the extremists shall be crushed once and for all. The Lord Mayor sayt> he risked his life every time he went to the rebel stronghold, but his desire was to save the beautiful city from destruction. The Republican leaders were willing to evacuate their positions and go to their homes, but on terms to which the Government would not consent. The Provisional Government has stopped the importation of all English newspapers into Southern Ireland, and also the circulation of Jrish newspapers which have not been submitted to the censors of the Free State Army. Dublin is still without postal facilities. REBELS IN THE COUNTIES. FIGHTING IN DONEGAL, (Received July 4th, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. There has been heavy fighting between Freo State troops and rebels in East Donegal. The rebel garrison at Castlefinn has surrendered. • Constant fighting is in progress in Drogheda, where both sides occupy -strong positions. Several hundred irregulars in South Tipperary are concentrated in a largo military barracks at t „umel, which they have fortified. They have also mined the approaches. They possess large quantities of food, and every motor-car in the district, as well as vWO gallons of petrol, has been commandeered. The main line of railway between Cork and Dublin lias been cut in sevexsd, jolaoea.