A FATEFUL GATHERING.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1923, Page 2

A FATEFUL GATHERING.

REPUBLICAN LEADER’S END. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, April 11. Tho death i.s announced front Ireland of Liam I.vnch, tho Republican leader. I.vnch died at tile town oi Clonmel at nine o’clock. The story ot his capture by Free State forces will be told in Irish homes for many year.-: to come.

‘File facts are that the Republican Executive had arranged to hold a meeting near Newcastle at the foot of the Kmtckmeledown Mountains. A 'R"m house in the heart of the country was chosen. The occasion was one of the gravest importum o. J lie purpose ,u the meeting was to take a final decision in connection with the proposal to incite

peace. One by one. the Republican leaders managed to leach the appointed pla.e. and on Tuesday morning nm-t < t the big men in the movement, unhiding Mr lie Valera, were there. Outpost-: were thrown round, lest- lue fatviu! gathering might be disunit'd by inquisitive patrols. Every precaution was taken to keep the dale and place ot the Meeting secret. but. whether by accident nr design. be National troops ipl-eul id "i'll dramatic suddenness. Eire was i pel’ed by some of the Repu'iiii.ni s-ci.i-. who seem to have lost 'heir hem's. Then a pitched battle develop 'd round th farmhouse. The Nation'J line seems to have been outmimne-vil ny *‘-e Republican?, uko subjected th-ft to a prolonged fusilade, in order to cover the retreat of the leaders, xv.n's? lest was to be avoided at an.x trsu A stray shot struck l.i.i.n Lymn. lie Valera and Breen did their utmost to save him. taking bin ‘ half-carrying and half-dragging him. Free State troops were loliowing ><> ( .|,,se that they fored them to abandon their comrade, who litter was removed t.i the hospital, where he died. Every effort to locate the "tliet has failed.

OTHER LEADERS ESC A DELON DON, April IT The other Republican leaders,, including Do Valera ami Han Breen, have escaped. ROUTING THE REBELS. DE VALERA HEMMED IN. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON. April 10. When the Free State troops swooped down towards the house, the Nel.els lied. Before the troops arrived, Liam Lviteli and a few followers quickly oroanisod an ambush in order to cover the retreat of Do Valera and the othe. leaders. After frantic firing Lynch’s party dashed from cover, firing as tln-y went. It was in the course of this running fi.rht across the fields that I.vnch was badly wounded in the stomach and captured. The arrest of Do Valera is only a matter of time. He is hemmed m on all .sides. It is generally believed in Dublin that to-day's events mark the death knell of the rebellion.

Do Valera in a letter captured by the Flee Staters says:—“No matter what are the consequences, the offer ot a truce must he rejected as it would simple amount to letting the I'roc State function. If wo are ever driven to that stage it would be host simply to quit.” An early report stated Do \ a lorn was captured, and while this was confirmed by a United Rress message trnm Dublin Cast!?, a lute cable to the Exchange Telegraph Company reports the Free State officials deny the cap-