MURDER OF V.C.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5537, 20 July 1920, Page 5

MURDER OF V.C.

COLD-BLOODED WORK IN IRELAND.

DASTARDLY DEED IN COUNTY CHUB. BRAVE SOLDIER RIDDLED WITH BULLETS.

United Press Association— O-nyrmht-LONDON; July 18.

Fourteen armed, disguised men rushed the smoking room of the County Club, Cork. The leader of the gang asked, /‘Where is he?” whereupon a follower jointed out a Victoria Cross ! winner, Smyth, Divisional Commander of Constabulary in Munster; Revolvers were instantly levelled at Smyth's head, which was riddled. Inspector Craig, who was conversing with him, was seriously wounded in the leg. The assailants escaped. The murder of Smyth was in revenge for a speech circulated by Sinn Feiners, in which he was said to have urged the police , to adopt methods of terrorism and murder the innocent and guilty, promising the immunity and support of the troops. Smyth, who lost his left leg in the war, had repudiated the Sinn Fein report.—A. and N.Z.C.A. (Received July 19, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. The Cork County Club outrage caused a sensation. Some masked raiders covered the hall porter with revolvers while the rest rushed the smoking room, where there were four men, including Captain Smyth and Inspector Craig. The raiders for the moment could not see Captain Smyth, who was sitting on a lounge. Then someone pointed him out, aiul a shot was fired. Captain Smyth sprang to his feet and ran to the door, the raiders firing five or six shots until he collapsed in the passage. The other occupants of the room were paralysed with horror. The raiders, pocketing their weapons, left the building and scattered. The whole occurrence was over in thirty seconds.—-A. and N.Z.C.A.

SEQUEL TO THE MURDER

FIGHTING IN THE STREETS

THREE SOLDIERS REPORTED KILLED.

(Received July 19. 11.40 p.m.) LONDON. July 19

The County Club is au exclusive institution in the heart of the city of Coik. It is the Carlton Club of Munster. ,\ft;er the murder there was much military activity. Some ex-soldiers came into conflict with troops, and one exsoldier died after receiving a bayonet thrust, apparently because he lailed to answer a challenge. Sinn Fern volunteers then intervened and six persons were seriously wounded m street fightIt is reported that three soldiers v. ere shot dead. An armored car assisted the militui,,. —A. and N.Z.C.A.

“COMPARABLE TO BOLSHEVIK RUSSIA.

THE STATE OF IRELAND

THREAT'S AND VIOLENCE

\ distressing description of_ the state of Ireland is contained m a letter written by a Dublin doctor t 0 a . resident in Christchurch. Hie letter is dated May 13, and. contains the following: — l . » . , ‘‘•'This country is going from end to worse. The last three months have made a great change. It has never been so bad as now. Ihe uovernment have a lot to answer foi ana even now do not appear to be m earnest —and the people know it. There are long lists of murders and. outrages every day. In the west it is oulv comparable to Bolshevik Russia. " They are now making landlords give up their property with revolvers pointed at their heads I was talking to a gentleman from Galway the- other day who had been over to London on a deputation to beg for protection. He had been threatened, and his grave dug, and a tombstone put over it with his name on it, outside Ins door. His house has been fired at repeatedly, and he has been condemned to death unless lie at once hands over liis land to the tenants . It is much worse in Kerry and Clare and Roscommon. It is o-raduallv creeping towards Dublin.

“Any nmoiint of people are leaving tlie country, and vc may all have to go if they pass this Home Hole Bill, which practically means the setting up of a Republic in the south and west. No jury will convict anyone of murder, no matter what the evidence, and anyone who dares to give evidence is shot at once. All these chaps hunger-striking in orison are instigators or actual murderers, of whose guilt th.enj is moral certainty, hut who cannot be convicted because witnesses are afraid to come forward and give evidence against them.

“The. other day a gentleman in r. tram in Dublin was foolish enough to talk openly about the hungerstrikers, saying that if they wouldn’t take the food provided they should be let. die. When be got out a man who was sitting near him followed him, tapped him on the shoulder, and said, ‘FI give you a week ito clear out of Ireland. If you don’t go you will bo shot!” They are talking now of a. general strike unless the troops are all withdrawn from Ireland.”