SPECTACULAR BATTLE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2168, 6 July 1922, Page 5

SPECTACULAR BATTLE.

CLEARING SNIPERS’ NESTS. ADVANCING BEHIND SMOKE SCREENS. REPRISALS on orphans. [By Electric Cable — Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Wednesday, 8.30 p.nx.) LONDON, July 4. To-day’s battle was highly spectacular. Armoured cars were constantly In action, while a smoke bomb barrage concealed the stormeis, who did good execution with hand grenades. Thus the Free State attackers systematically advanced from Nelson’s pillar along Sackville Street, the tramway office being first captured. The rebels replied with vigorous rifle lire, but as th'j day went on nearly all the sniping posts were carried. The Free Staters stormed the General Post Office, and took thirty prisoners. Late in the evening the Republicans were confined to three hotels, namely, the Gresham, Granville and Crown. These are old brick buildings, and could easily be shattered if the Government chose to do the necessary damage. A Free State communique states the enveloping movement of the Dublin Guards in the O’Connell Street area is nearing completion. All the Irregulars have been driven out of Earl street and Gresham hotel, and the adjoining buildings have been completely surrounded. Mr Churchill in the House of Commons, stated that the Republicans burnt an orphanage for Protestant children at Clifden, County Galway, saying it was done as a reprisal for the inmates’ loyalty. The staff and thirty-two children were rescued and brought in a destroyer to Queenstown. It .s announced in Dubdin that the Millmount Barracks, the stronghold of the Republicans at Drogheda is aflame, and our troops are closing in. Unofficial reports itate that fighting is in progress in Sligo, where the Repub. Hcans wrecks I and burnt t.Te police barracks, did much damage to the railway, and also destroyed the houses of all Protestants at Cooloney.