SINN FEIN OUTRAGE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18285, 22 December 1919, Page 7

SINN FEIN OUTRAGE.

ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE LORD FRENCH. PHOENIX PARK SENSATION. By Telegraph—Pros# Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Gablo AssociationLONDON, December 19. A determined attempt was made to kill Viscount French while ho was passing through Phoenix Park. A civilian was killed and tho Viceroy’s assailant was killed. Lord French was not injured. Several Sinn Feiners were engaged in the affair. They fired a number of bullets, of which two passed through Viscount French’s motor car, one wounding a cyclist policeman who was escorting tlio Viceroy. Tho military escort returned the firo, and shot ono of the attackers who was carrying a bomb. . There is intense excitement in Dublin. In the House of Commons Mr J. I. Macpherson announced that four bombs were thrown at Lord French. Two detectives were injured. Tho assailants, who fired a number of shots, escaped, except one, who was killed in Broadway.

(This attempt recalls the outrage of May 6, 1882, when Lord Frederick Cavendish, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and Thomas Henry Burke, Permanent Under Secretary, were murdered in the Phoenix Park in broad daylight. Tho weapons were amputating knives, imported for the purpose. Tho assassins drove rapidly away; no ono, not even those who saw tho deed from a dis>tance, knew what had been done. A Dublin tradesman named Field, was attacked by the samo gang and stabbed in many places. He escaped with his life, and it was the identification of tho man who drove his assailants’ car that afterwards led to the discovery of a conspiracy to wipe out all tho Dublin Castle officials, and tho arrest of tho conspirators.) A NARROW ESCAPE. 'The Times” Service. (Received December 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Decembor 19. The> fusilado against Lord French resembled a pitched battle. Many bullets glanced off the armour-plated cars. Tho assailants expected that Lord French would be in tho second car, which was bombed and shattered. The Viceroy escaped in tho foremost car owing to its high speed. SUSPENSION. OF POPULAR ' OFFICIAL. (Received December 21, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 21. It is stated in official circles that the Irish Government has provisionally arranged to suspend Gencial Bvrno, tho popular head of the Irish Constabulary, who is opposed to some recent measures emanating from the ruling faction at Dublin Castle. The constabulary strongly resent his removal. SUPPRESSION OF “FREEMAN’S JOURNAL.” Neuter’s Telegrams. (Received December 21, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 19. The “Daily Herald’s” Dublin correspondent states that “Freeman’s Journal” was suppressed because it stated that the ’ Government allowed certain criminals immunity. The correspondent adds: “It is firmly believed in Dublin that of the murderers of Detectives Downing and Barton one man or woman, known to Dublin Castle, was left untouched because the Castle wants the murders attributed to tlie Sinn Fein. ANOTHER DARING RAID. CORK RAILWAY STATION LOOTED. Australian and N. Z. Cable Association. (Received December 21, 5.6 p.m.) • LONDON, December 18. Two hundred Sinn Feiners raided the Cork railway station suddenly. . A whittle was blown, and the porters, signalmen, drivers and clerks were surlounded by masked men, who covered them with revolvers. The whole stair was locked un with an armod guard over them, while tlie Sinn Feiners looted nil the firearms in the stores. . There are police barracks in the vicinity, where hundreds of police were asleep, but none heard of the outraga till three hours afterwards, when a second whistle was blown and tlie masked metn disappeared.