DUBLIN FOUR COURTS.

Grey River Argus, 1 July 1922, Page 5

DUBLIN FOUR COURTS.

FALL AFTER STRUGGLE. HEAVY GUNS TELL. REPUBLICANS ’ DETERMINED STAND. The battle in Dublin City for the Four Courts, ■where the Republicans were strongly posted, has .after a great resistance, ended on Friday morning in the Free Staters capturing the stronghold, after which they continued attacks on other republican positions. CONFLICTING REPORTS. REPUBLICANS HOLL) OUT. | A. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, June 29. Tn Dublin many shops are closed, .“nd others shuttered, but doing business. Thus far there is no serious breach in the walls of the Four Courts, and the siege may last a considerable time. The defenders of the Four Courts have retired to the cellars, leaving only a few outposts to guard against surprise rushes. Upwards of 200 shells have already left their mark on the building, and the damage increases hourly. The Fours Courts garrison is said to possess an unlimited supply of ammunition and rations.’ The latest reports suggest the entrance into the struggle against Collins of tin Independent Workers of the World. Members of this organisation occupy several buildings in the city, including Moran’s Hotel. All are armed with revolvers and rifles, and they have laid an electric mine in the centre of the roadwax with the object of ambushing Dail vehicles. Several fatalities have occurred in the shooting in different city areas. The railway line between Kildare and Dublin has been torn up, delaying reinforcements for the rebels. Several northern leaders of the I.R.A. were arrested while proceeding to Dublin. THURSDAY’S OPERATIONS. VERY LITTLE BLOODSHED. A PEER NOT SATISFIED. (Rec. June 30, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. June 29. The sensation of Thursday’s fighting in Dublin was the rebels’ attack on the Bank of Ireland. A force of Free Staters at the bank replied, but were obliged to retreat into the bank. Later reports stated the situation was becoming worse, and that the rebels had planted land mines in some leading thoroughfares, and seized Sackville Club. It was stated street lighting also was becoming more frequent, three civilians being killed. The same day the irregulars occupied the “Herald’’ offices for a time during a street fight. The general post office was closed, also other buildings were shut. Fresh terms were offered to those in possession of the Four Courts, but they refused to surrender, and the tiring was resumed. An early evacuation was then expected, however, as the water and light were cut off. WANTED MORE KILLING. Lord Clancarty, when he arrived at Holyhead from Dublin, said the firing of the attacking Free Staters was very poor and ineffective, being at the rate of one shot every four minutes. FURTHER REPORT. ON THURSDAY’S OPERATIONS. LONDON, June 30. In referring to the Four Courts battle, and telegraphing on Thursday evening, the “Daily Chronicle’s’’ Dublin correspondent states that the situation was then growing worse. Large bodies of republican youths had been mobilized, and seized points of vantage, from which to carry on indiscriminate sniping. The Free State troops have been making little impression, and the cor respondent says one felt they were losing prestige, and that reports say they were losing their ardour also. INTREPID REPUBLICAN WOMEN. News from country at large (says the correspondent) indicated restiveness. Women were singularly absent from the streets of Dublin, though young hussies or daredevils (as the correspondent describes the Cuman ma mßan, who are the Republican women’s organisation) were prominent. Many of these women were acting as despatch riders for Republicans, their sex giving them immunity. The walls of the Four Courts (says the correspondent) are of great thickness, having been laid down in the eighteenth century, when massive masonry was common. (in the south side, the river Liffey acts as a moat, while the typical Dublin slums, on all the other sides, have assisted the defenders of the Courts. Milit: rily speaking (says the correspondent) high explosive shells should be employed, but the Free Staters have no howitzers, and are not trained in the use of them.

REPUBLICANS’ GUERILLA TACTICS. (Received June 30, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 29. Messages received in London at nine o’clock on Thursday evening indicate that it was unlikely that the Free Staters would carry Four Courts by assault, ns the building offered a strong defensive position. Meanwhile guerilla tactics by the Republicans were developing in various quarters of the citv, and this phase was causing considerable anxiety. ifePUBLICANS OUSTED AT DROGHEDA. LONDON, June 29. A rebel force had held Millmount Barracks, Drogheda, for the past two months, but several hundred Free State troops arrived and recaptured the barracks after slight opposition. The Irregulars now occupy Round Tower Hill, overlooking the town, but the position is invested by Free Staters. A Sinn Fein incendiary bomb factory has been discovered in Belfast, and p, large quantity of material seized.

FREE STATE APPEAL. LONDON, June 29. The Dail Minister of Defence, has issued a statement that the country’s prestige is being destroyed, ami social and economic life being reduced to chaos by the disorder invading the country’s life through men seeking to arrogate authority, and to interfere with and destroy the lives and properties of their countrymen. The Minister appeals to the army to stand by and do their duty. FREE STATE MANIFESTO. LONDON, June 29. The Free State Minister of Defence in Dublin, in his message to the' Free State Army, says that, while the Government deny tin 1 right of any but Irishmen to interfere in the national affairs, they also deny the right of any section of Irishmen to bring disorder upon the country. The Fret* State Go\ eminent, in a further proclamation, says that a section of Irish people are devoting themselves to destroying ail the functions of government in a desire to embroil the Irish people once more with the British. Money had been stolen, property confiscated or destroyed, and Irish honour sullied by murderous on defenceless civilians. On these misguided persons alone would rest the responsibility fur any loss of life that might ensue. A WOMAN’S TALE. * NO SHAM FIGHT. LONDON, June 30. A woman told a pressman “people are afraid to go to church, and are praying in their homes for hours for the success of the Free State troops. Many of us Irish are ambitious for a republic and for absolute freedom, but the price may be too heavy. That's what de Valera and Rory O’Connor’s price is. People say. the Dublin fighting is mere camouflage to satisfy the English clamour. Only those who do not know how bitter are the factional hatreds in Dublin would repeat such an absurdity.’’ CHURCHILL HELPING BESIEGERS BUT SAYING NOTHING. LONDON, June 29. The Colonial Secretary, Mr W. Churchill, in the House of Commons, staled he had no fresh information regarding the Irish situation. He added: ‘‘We are confining our assistance to supplying any material which the I' ree Staters may require.” He said the Provisional Government was not reporting to him in any way. CHURCHILL’S PRAISE. FOR FREE STATE ARMY. (Received June 30, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON. June 30. Tn the House of Commons Mr \V. Churchill scouted the idea that the Dublin struggle was anywise unreal. Speaking on the point, he angrily deprecated the suggestion that it was a sham light that was going on in Dublin. He pointed out: —‘‘People do not get killed in a sham fight. The Irish Provisional Government’s troops are loyally carrying out the Treaty, and thev ere suffering. It is true that there has been little organisation on either side, but this is not a time to mock at those who are striking a blow for freedom and order.” ENGLISH MINISTER’S VIEW. PRAISE FOR ANTIREPUBLICANS. (Received June 30, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 29. Rt Hou Mr Worthington Evans, speaking at Colchester, said that seven out of eight Southern Irelanders were loyal. The disloyalists were the desperate murderers who were now gunning. They were as much opposed to the true interests of Ireland as they were against the United Kingdom. He was certain that Messrs Collins and Griffith intended to carry out the terms of the Treaty and overthrow the Republicans, ‘‘but,” he added, ‘‘don’t imagine we are going to have as easy time. It will likely be a long time before the, rebels are completely put down. It is satisfactory that there is a loyal bit of Ireland, prepared, as a part of the Empire, to fight against the rebels in their own country. Hitherto the dirty work has been left to the British Army, but now the cleaning up is left to the Irish Government.” A PRIEST’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, June 30. An Irish priest who has come from Dublin, says: —‘‘I protest vehemently against the depths to which the Irregular Republican troops have fallen. They are placing land mines in streets, which are a terrible danger to civilian population. These mines are laid under cover of darkness. If a pedestrian steps on one, it explodes, or a man tripping over a string fires a mine. It is the duty of the whole Church to

protest against such inhumanities.” FIGHT FOR REPUBLIC. PROCLAMATION ISSUED. LONDON, June 30. Thirteen Republican leaders including Mellow and Rory O’Connor, have issued a broadcast demand for a general rising in support of a republic. (Received June 30, 10.55 p.m.) The following proclamation, addressed to ‘‘Fellow Citizens of the Irish Republic,” has appeared in Dublin: — ‘‘The fateful hour has come. At the dictation of our heriditary enemy, our rightful cause has been treacherously assailed by recreant Irishmen. Gallant soldiers of the Irish Republic, stand rigorously firm in its defence and worthily uphold their noblest traditions! The sacred spirits of, the illustrious dead are with us in this great struggle, death before dishonour being the unchanging principle of our national faith, as of theirs, and it still inspires us to emulate their glorious efforts. Therefore we appeal to all citizens who have withstood unflinchingly the oppression of the enemy during the past six years, to rally to the support of the Republic. We especially appeal to our former comrades to return to that allegiance, and thus guard the nation’s honour from the infamous stigma that her sons have aided in retaining the hateful domination over her.” The appeal is signed “Amy Executive, 1.R.A.”

I FOUR COURTS STILL STAND. REPUBLICANS READY FOR ANY EVENTUALITY. (Rec. June 30, 10 p.m.) LONDON, June 30. Telegrams from Dublin state that the continued bombardment has considerably broached the western side of the Four Courts, but Iho mass of the building is not seriously shaken, and the defenders are safe in the granite basement from everything except - heavy shell tire. It is understood the, defenders have dug tunnels from cellars whereby they hope to escape if forced to evacuate. The besiegers don’t intend to storm the Four Courts, but intend to starve out the defenders. 'The worst trouble of the Free Staters is that they are being sniped from the rear, and live irregulars are creating a reign of terror in other parts of Dublin. DUBLIN AN ARMED CAMP. It is not too much to say that Dublin bristles with rebel forts, while barricades are set up in many places by both the Free State and' the Republican troops. At midnight on Thursday, the machine gun and rifle fire was gravely intensified. FREE STATERS HEAVY ARTILLERY. The heavy detonations or mortars, were then interspersing with the rattle of small arms. 'The bombardment by artillery also increased, giving evidence that the Free Staters had secured heavier cannon. The defenders replied more vigorously as the attack intensified. The Republicans apparently have an abundance of rifle and machine gun ammunition. Dublin people, who at first were inclined to regard the operations as a side show, now realise the grave character of the trouble. Many hundreds are Hoeing to England.

McSWINEY’S CHAPLAIN THERE. Father Domyiic, who has been in the Four Courts with the besieged republicans, was Lord Mayor McSwiney’s chi!plain during his hunger strike in Brixton Prison. INTERRUPTED COMMUNICATIONS. LONDON, June 29. The Irish cables have been cut. (Received June 30, 1045 p.m.) LONDON, June 30 (afternoon). No letters or telegrams can be delivered in Southern Ireland, while the submarine cable has also been cut near Dublin. The only telegraphic and telephonic communication between Ireland and Britain is through Belfast. The newspaper correspondents are compelled to employ aeroplanes to aid the broken news services. FALL OF THE FOUR COURTS. REPORTED CAPTURE. LONDON, June 30. Two of the main portions of the Four Courts, at Dublin have been captured. Mellow and Rory O’Connor have locked themselves in the smaller building. They are being ordered to surrender. Another message states: The Four Courts has been captured, with 22 prisoners, including Commandant Barry. LONDON, June 30. Au unconfirmed report says that the Free State troops have entered the Four Courts. AN ARMISTICE. The Free State Commandant has agreed with Rory O’Connor for an armistice, to enable the removal of the dead and the wounded.. At the conclusion of the armistice, bugles signalled the resumption of hostilities. NOT BEATEN YET. REPU BLIC AN S M USTERTN G. (Received June 30, 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, June 30. The “Daily Chronicle’s’’ correspondent states:—Rebels are entering Dublin from provinces, and are receiving equipment from some hidden arsenal. It is strange, when entering the city by road, to sec the people, who are pursuing the ordinary avocations. The mothers are perambulating their babies. The bakers are delivering bread, while again, there is the tearing echo of shells and the crack of rifles. LATEST NEWS. CAPTURE OF FOUR COURTS (Rec. June 30, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 30. The Free Staters now completely occupy the Four Courts. They are now attacking all other rebel strongholds in Dublin.