WAR ON IRELAND.

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1922, Page 5

WAR ON IRELAND.

BY BRITISH ARMY AND NAVY. HEAVY ARTILLERY USED. LONDON, June 5. There is considerable naval activity at Chatham. Several ships are under orders for an unknown destination, presumably Ireland. Aeroplanes are now patrolling Louth-Armagh border. The “Belfast Telegraph’s” Enniskillen correspondent states: Pettigo was taken at the bayonet point. At least 30 of the Republican troops were killed. When the British Army entered Pettigo, some Republicans machine gunned them. The British replied with artillery. After the first shell some of the Republicans fled, but the machine gunners continued until they were wiped out. Four shells fell behind the village amidst a party of fleeing Republicans, inflicting heavy losses. British troops secretly landed on Boa Island and were transferred to the mainland at night time. They caught the retreating Republicans in the rear, like rats in a trap? One hundred remained to defend the village from a barricade at the end of the bridge. The British rushed the barricade with bayonets and captured the snipers. The artillery then joined in. THE BRITISH OFFICIAL VERSION. FEW CASUALTIES. LONDON, June 5. A military communique issued from Enniskillen states: In consequence of the so-called Free State troops’ continual aggression in the Pettigo salient, it was decided that the Imperial troops should occupy the same. Operations, continued on Saturday and Sunday by land and water, resulted in the military occupying the salient for about a mile from the frontier, in order to secure the high ground . The military lost one killed. The other side is known to have lost seven killed and

16 were taken prisoners. In order to I dislodge the snipers from the hills, it was necessary to lire six round of high explosive shells. The actual fighting lasted from 11 to 4 on Sunday. FURTHER BRITISH REPORT. LONDON. June 5. When the Irish force fired at the British from a wood in the Pettigo district the artillery shelled the wood. The shell killed six. Three more were killed in the attack on Pettigo village. The first six-pound-er fired into Pettigo Wood caused the Irish to retreat. Four more shells were fired. Now the countryside is swarming with British soldiers accompanied by whippet tanks. The American steamer Seattle Spirit was held up at Tralee. A British sloop reported that a large quantity of ammunition aboard was seized. At Pettigo, female sympathisers with the rebels entered the local drapers, helped themselves and paraded the streets in the stolen finery. When the British took possession of the salient, farmhouses displayed the Union Jack. SOUTHERN IRISH AGREEMENT. CAUSE OF BRITISH ATTACKS. LONDON, June 5. Mr Collins and Mr De Valera had | an hour’s conference at Dublin Mansion House, and then issued a joint statement that the coalition agreement had been unanimously accepted by the Dail Eireann and Ardfheis, because it was considered co-operation was the best means of ensuring peaceable, ordered government and the securing of the nation against dangers which threaten it from without. People must

remember that the country is still in a transitional state, and it is impossible to. act as if stable conditions were reached. ATTEMPT TO DISCOUNT RESULTS. BY ENGLISH PRESS WRITER. (Reccievd June 6, 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 6. The London “Daily Chronicle’s” Dublin correspondent states: Tuesday will be nomination day for the elections for the Irish Constituent Assembly. The correspondent goes on to declare: “If there is a free election, it is certain that nine-tenths of the country would vote pro-treaty, and that. Mr De Valera and the intransigant Republicans will be obliterated. It is to be a grossly jerry ma ml (‘red election. The De Valeraitcs ar.- assured of strength. It will be grotesquely disproportionate to their real influence in the country. The reason for so flagrant, unexampled an affront to the basic principe of democracy is revealed when it is said an affront to the basic, principle of deno election, as the mutinous Republican Army would not permit it, as a bomb or revolver would intervene. In short, Ireland is saddled with an armed force which acts as a sort of Preatoriau Guard. The fate of the country lies in the hands of half-a-dozen fanatic army chiefs. From humane motives, Mr Collins chose a path of compromise, little realising, for he is so young and inexperienced in politics, into what entanglements it might lead him. However, the Independent candidates are

coming forward on behalf of Labour, the Farmers' Unions, and the Ratepayers’ Associations. Seventeen Independents are contesting the 28 large constituencies, into which Southern Ireland is dividend, under proportional representation. Many other candidates would come forward, but silent terrorism is being exercised.” ‘‘A saving clause is that the Irish Pact says: ‘lf the Coalition disagrees, there shall be another general election on manhood suffrage. The Coalition is fairly certain to disagree, so the Irish electorate may yet be permitted to speak. ’ ’