BATTLE IN DUBLIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1922, Page 5

BATTLE IN DUBLIN

FIGHT FOR FOUR COURTS.

FREE STATE MEANS BUSINESS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, June 27. The Irish Provisional Government, is heeding Mr Churchill's warning as regards the rebel occupation of the Four Courts. The garrison, of whom there are 300 ar e building a natural stronghold, elaborately sand-bagged, wired and barricaded, with law books. All approaches are covered by loopholes and by machine-guns placed on the roof. It is not believed the Free State regulars will directly assault the position, but will render the buildings untenable by cutting off the water. The authorities are embarrassed by the fact that the Four Courts contain the national records. The mutineers possess high explosives, and it would not be difficult for them to destroy ■ surrounding buildings. Measures against the Four Courts would inevitably provoke trouble in the Provinces where the main strength of the Republicans lies. The. Government’s task, therefore, is not easy. LONDON. .Time 9.8

Since dawn a fierce battle has been raging in Dublin between Dail troops and irregulars for possession of tl.e Four Courts. Alany casualties are reported. Armoured cau, trench mortars, and machine-guns are in action. The Free State troops have sent an ultimatum to those occupying the Four Courts, giving a time limit of an hour. Eighteen pounders have been placed in position. The Free Staters occupy all the surrounding buildings. The military took control of telegraphs and telephones in Southern Troland early this morning. There was intense excitement when 1000 Free State troops attacked the Four Courts ind the Fowler Memorial Home. The Irregulars expecting an attack had lug trench across the quays. Ambulances are dashing in all directions. The neighbourhood is cut off and civilians are not permitted to enter the mrdon. A loud explosion preceded the firing ibout the Four Courts. The garrison n the Fowler Memorial Hall refused o surrender. The copper dom e of the 7 our Courts was blown in. The bat:lc is expected to last all day. DETAILS OF ATTACK. LONDON, June 28. The attack opened at four in the norning. The din of firing awakened he populace. Thousands, risking the lying bullets, hastened to occupy vanage points to watch the fight. The ,rst victim among Government troops /as Private Long, who was shot in lhancery Street. One onlooker, a wolan was also killed by a stray bullet. The intensity of the firing varied tiring the early hours, but increased n violence at nine o’clock. Red Cross mbulances are stationed near the lastle gates in readiness for their grim ork. The rattle -of fire from machine uns is occasionally punctuated by eavy concussion of high explosives. The Free State troops at the outset rero about 800 strong. They are sing at least one 12-pounder mounted n an armoured car, General Ennis is mimandcr of the investing forces.

MR CHURCHILL’S STATEMENT. LONDON, Juno 28. Mr Churchill, in the Commons, said that the Provisional Government was solely responsible for the operations now proceeding in Dublin. They had declined all assistance from the Imperial forces, except so fqr as equipment was concerned. Ther 0 was no trustworthy information in regard to the casualties, and no definite result had yet been achieved, heavy fighting was progressing. FOWLER HALL ON FIRE. LONDON, Juno 28. Ihe Four Courts fight continues, howler Hall was afire at noon. REBEL LEADER WOUNDED. LONDON, June 28. lhe fight at I’our Courts was raging throughout the morning. Fire broke out in Fowler’s Hall shortly after noon. Snipers are firing from the roofs, but it is difficult to ascertain to which side they belong. Hundreds of spectators line the quays and streets adjacent to the affected area. Business is suspended. Passengers arriving by trains are carefully searched by troops at the various termini. The besieged’s fire is slackening; possibly they are conserving their ammunition. Fourteen casualties are reported among the Free Stater’s during the attack on Fowler’s Hall. Rumours are current that Rory O’Connor was wounded. It is reported that some trouble occurred with a number of Free .Staters who refused to fire on their brother Irishmen. These were placed under arrest. Rebels seized Barry’s Hotel and the Women’s Trade Union Club, Orange Hall. Regulars have invested both places. The Fire Brigade did excellent work when Fowler’s Hall caught fire and managed to quell the outbreak. Free State reinforcements are arriving in the city steadily. During the fighting, a force of British troops in full kit, passed through the city, unconcernedly on the way to their camp at Phoenix Park. GARAGE RAIDED. LONDON, June 27. Irregulars took possession of a Belfast firm’s garage in Dublin and commandeered fourteen motor cars, which were driven off and damaged. Free State troops, in armoured cars, surrounded the garage and demanded the surrender of the Irregulars and return of the cars before six o’clock. The door was opened a few minutes before six, and the Free Staters marched in. GOVERNMENT’S MANIFESTO DUBLIN, June 27. The Irish Provisional Government has issued the following statement’. At the close of the general election the will of the people of Ireland was ascertained. Further grave acts against the security of persons and ol property have been committed in Dublin and in other parts of Ireland., .by persons who- are pretending to act with authority. It is the duty of the Government to which the people have entrusted their defence, and the. con- y duct of their affairs, to protect and secure all law-respecting citizens, without distinction. That duty the Government will resolutely perform. Outrages against the nation and the

Government must cease at once, ant for ever. For months, all classes o business had suffered Beverly* thrbugl a feeling of insecurity, engendered lu reckless, wicked acts which had tar nished the reputation of Irelanc abroad. The Government ‘ were de termined that the country shall nt longer be held up from the pursuit o: its fiormal life and from the establish ment of its free national institutions The Government, therefore, calls upoi citizens to co-operate actively with il in the measures which the Governrnem is taken to ensure public safety and to secure Ireland for the Irish people, Mr Collins announces that he is reserving his remarks on Air Churchill’s recent speech until the assembly of the new Dail Eireann. ARMY CHIEF KIDNAPPED LONDON, June 27. Major-General O’Connell, the Assitant Chief of Staff at Beggars Bush Dublin, has been kidnapped by those in possession of the Four Courts, and has been held as a hostage for release of Commander Henderson. SUSPICIOUS CONTRIBUTION LONDON, June 27. Air Stanton, ALP., is a supporter of a trades union measure designed to prevent union funds being used for other than trade purposes. He informed the “Daily Express” that he had personally seen the balance-sheet of a Welsh Miners’ Union lodged which disclosed a money vote to' a Dublin small arms organisation ”