BRIGHTER IRISH OUTLOOK

Evening Star, Issue 18051, 19 August 1922, Page 3

BRIGHTER IRISH OUTLOOK

THE REPUBLICAN DEBACLE. FREE STATERS TAKE DUNDALK. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, August 17. The Nationals have recaptured Dundalk (seaport of County Louth, on the east coast). Many rebels were taken prisoner, but the majority retreated to the mountains. They wrecked the post offices and mined the street before leaving. The rebels also evacuated Carlingford and Greenore (adjoining Dundalk on tho north). The Nationals used aeroplanes and an armored train in the recapture of Dundalk. The aviators circled over the town, observed the disposition of the rebels, and, dropped leaflets directing the inhabitants to remain indoors. Three different forces took part in the attack. One came from Drogheda in an armored train and the others from Garridem across and from Cavan. They crept from their cover and turned the machine guns on to rebel strongholds, and' finally the town was taken at the bayonet point. About 300 prisoners were taken. The welcomed tire Free Staters with the wildest enthusiasm. The rebels are retreating without offering to fight. CLEARING COUNTY CORK, DE VALERA A FUGITIVE. SOUTHERN FEELING WITH FREE * STATERS. LONDON, August 17. Along the whole Southern front the rebels are falling back on the bogs and the hills. Mr De Valera, now the rebel Com-mander-in-chief, has fled to Kilpadder, where he is reported to be lying ill in a farmhouse, a broken man. His more moderate friends assert that he never wanted the Irregulars to fight, bub Mr Rory O’Connor forced his hand. Mr Lynch, who accompanies Dir De Valera, is expected to make a last stand on a twenty-mile front along the River Blackwater, from Millstreet to Mallow (about twenty-five miles north-west of Cork). The rebels’ only alternative to fight to the end is to surrender. All the roads are strongly held by the Free Staters. Miss Mary M'Swiney (sister of a former Lord Mayor of Cork, who starved himself to death in gaol) is with the rebels, who are holding Waterfall Village, in County Cork. The chief indication of the downfall of the rebellion is the recruitment for the National army, to which many thousands are flocking. _ Evidence of the changed" Irish feeling in the Irish country districts is also afforded by an incident which occurred during the flight of the Irregulars from the Mallow district. Dir Erskine Childers's detachment essayed to destroy a bridge on the road of retreat, hut the people of the district, headed by the parish priest and a Protestant rector, watched day and night, and prevented the bridge being injured. The Free Staters have 'reoccupied the Olifden wireless station (in Galway, on the west coast). AN APPEAL FROM THE DEAD. “STAND FIRM BY THE TREATY.” LONDON, August 18. (Received August 19, at 8.55 a.m.) The following message was attached to the will made by the late Dir Griffith before going to Sligo to speak in spite of the Irregulars’ prohibition:—“ Tell the Irish nation to stand firm by the treaty. It is their national need and economic solution. ” —Reuter.