IRISH FACTIONS

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 93, 20 April 1920, Page 7

IRISH FACTIONS

CLASH IN LONDONDERRY

VIOLENT ATTACKS ON POLICE

SOLDIERS' CLUB BESIEGED.*

(UNITE* PMSBS ASSOCUTIOS.—COPTRIfIIiT.)

(AUSTRALIAN - NKW ZEALAND CABI.B ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 19th April.

What is described as the most wicked riot ever known in Londonderry began on Saturday night and lasted many hours. It arose as a result of Wednesday's affray, when an attempt was made to rescue prisoners and the- troops fired on the crpwdj thereby arousing fierco indignation. . In some quarters of the town, notices were posted on walls warning soldiers to expect vengeance and warning civilians to discontinue friendly relations with the police.

A band of youths started hostilities at 8 o'clock, attacking two soldiers in RiHge-street, which was the scene of Wednesday's, shooting. The soldiers were roughly handled before they took refuge in the Soldiers' Club in Cai'lisle-street. The crowd smashed the doors and windows with iron bars and a desperate fight took .place inside, chairs and other furniture being used as weapons. Kventually the soldiers won. They expelled 1 the raiders and erected defensive barricades. Meanwhile individual soldiers attempting to reach the club were waylaid and one was removed to hospital.

The local police were quite ■unable to cope with the fight, and large reinforcements were dra.\ra from various quarters of the town. These suddenly appeared on.the scene and were ordered to clear the street. They were momentarily suc.cessful, but the crowd, emboldened, returned to the "fray and rained stones, bolts, and bottles on the police. A number of revolver, shots, apparently from the crowd, caused a temporary panic: The police drew their bayonets and oharged. They drove the mob pell mell down the street, but the shots became so frequent that the police fifed two warning 'volleys in the- 'air. Two fomdred men of the Dorsetshire Regiment arrived and the crowds were then overawed.

Meanwhile a violent faction fight was proceeding at the Ferry Quay Gate, and lasted three .hours. The police made numerous bayonet charges and separated the Unionists and Sinn Feiners.

When the rioting in these areas had been Suppressed a signal light in the sky notified an attack on the Lecky-road barracks. All the police" who could be spared rushed in. that'direction, followed by fifty troops at the double. A number ,of revolver shots were fired at the troops en route. . A sergeant and five constables held the barracks against a determined; well-planned attack. Four" decoy messages failed 'to lore the defenders afield. The attackers freely used revolvers and boulders, but the police, behind sandbags, drove them out of range. All the defenders were slightly wounded Eleven civilians have been-taken to hospital. . . • !