MORE HUNGER STRIKES

Gisborne Times, Volume LII, Issue 5464, 27 April 1920, Page 5

MORE HUNGER STRIKES

150 IRISH PRISONERS AT WORMWOOD SCRUBS. SEVERAL REPORTED REACHING STATE OF COLLAPSE, MOUNT JOY DEMONSTRATIONS REPEATED IN LONDON. United Press Association—Copyright. (Received April 26, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON. April 25. One hundred and fifty Irish prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs prison demand release. The majority arc hunger-striking since Wednesday. Though exempted by his comrades owing to physical condition ono prisoner has been already released and sent to a nursing home owing to heart trouble. Others are reported to be reaching a state of collapse. Members of the Irish Self Determination League of Great Britain decided to repeat the scenes outside Mountjoy prison at Wormwood Scrubs and 7000 sympathisers, representing eighteen branches, assembled with three bands of Irish pipers carrying Republican flags. A priest recited the Rosary in Irish. The crowd cheered when handkerchiefs were waved from the windows, which were answered by cheers from inside. Later flames were seen inside the prison and it was rumored that the Sinn Feinfcrs were setting fire to their blankets.

Every head in the crowd was uncovered when Irish pipers played “God Save Ireland.” The prisoners inside joined in singing “The Wearing of‘the Green.” There is no disorder. SINN FEIN FIGHTERS NUMBER 200,000. FARMERS LEAVING REBEL DISTRICTS. ALLEGED INTIMIDATION. LONDON. April 25. The Sunday Times says that the Sinn Fein now controls about 200,000 fighters. They are believed to be increasing. Guerilla warlare will wear down the Government resistance. The success of the Irish executive’s experiment of a milder regime is doubtful, as the rebel movement is beyond control of the more moderate Sinn Fciners or even the church. The Observer’s Belfast correspondent says that owing to agrarian terrorism hundreds of southern and western farmers are seeking farms in the north of Ireland. Many others are going to England. It is. alleged that some farmers are relinquishing their properties under threats of death. —United Service. TWO CONSTABLES MURDERED. ATTACK BY LARGE PARTY OF ARMED MEN. (Received April 26. 7.15 p.m.) LONDON. April 25. A large party of armed men at Innishannon (Cork) ambushed three constables on patrol duty. They fireu a volley without warning, shooting Sergeant Crean in the heart and blowino- off part of Constable McGolclriek’s head. The third constable escaped.—A. and N.Z. Cable Assn. LONDON. April 25. Constable Swanton was wounded while proceeding homewards at itnnis Countv Clare, on Saturday nio-ht One bullet passed through the left thigh, and another passed along the breast of his tunic but inflicted no wound. Three men were arrested.—United Service.