WAR IN DUBLIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18130, 30 June 1922, Page 7

WAR IN DUBLIN.

f HOLD OUT. BATTLE STILL RAGING. ARTILLERY IN ACTION. I , FOUR COUETS BOMBAEDED. EXTENSIVE SNIPING. 'AMBUSHES IN STREETS. FREE STATERS BOMBED. By Telegraph—Prose Association—Copyrixhi CReeoivcd 10.5 p.m.) & and N.?;. LONDON. Jim* 29.. The battle, for possession of the Four Courts. Ihiblin, which began at dawn yesterday, continues. There was heavy firing *throughont the niglit. The latest message received in London at 10.50 this morning Irtates that the rebels under General Rory O'Connor are still holding out against the Free State forces. Colonel Mondenville and Captain Vaughan, officers of the Free State Army, -were attacked from ambush m Dublin this morning and fr.tally wounded. The attack began at four o'clock yesterday morning. "Mr. Michael Collins sent an ultimatum to General O'Connor giving I .him an hour in which to surrender 'Major General O'Connell, assistant chief of staff to ihe Free S<ate Army, who was kid- j napped as a hostage by the rebels the previous day. The first shot was fired bv rebels at a Free State armoured car. ' This was the siignal for the beginning of hostilities. Rebel Garrison Entrenched. Eighteen pounders were placed in position, and Free State troops occupied all surrounding buildings. The military took control of the telegraphs and telephone* m Southern Ireland early in the morning. The rebek>, expecting the attack, had i dug trenches across the quays. I When the din of firing awakened the populace, thousands, risking flying bnllets, j hastened to occupy vantage points to watch the fight. The first victim among j the Government trooiss was Private Long, ' ' who was shot in Chancery Street One onlooker, a woman, was also killed by • a . stray bullet The intensity of the firing varied in the early hours, but increased in violence at nine o'clock. j The rattle of rifles and machine-guns, was occasionaaly punctuated by the neavy concussion of high explosives. The Free' State troops at the outset were about 900 strong, and were using at least one 12-pounder, mounted on an armoured car. General Ennis is commander of the investing farces. The fire "of the besieged men later slackened, and it was thought that j ihey wiire conserving their ammunition. J

Towler Han Set On Tire. It is reported that some trouble occurred with a number of Free State troops who refused to fire on their brother Irishmen, but these were placed under arrest. In an attack on the Fowler Memorial Hall, which had also been occupied by the rebels, the Free State troops are reported to have suffered 14 casualties. Later the rebels evacuated the Fowler Hall after setting fire to it, and occupied Hughes' Hotel, in Lower Gardner Street, thus creating another danger zone in the heart of the city. The fire brigade did y excellent work in quelling the fire at the Fowler HalL The rebels also seized Barry's Hotel and the Women's Trade Union Club and tiie Orange Hall, and Free State troops have invested all the places. Free State troops occupy the roof of ffce Bank of Ireland. The National Bank, anmnanding one of the entrances to Farnetl Square, has also been seized, but whether by Free State troops or rebels is not kaown. The rebels, however, occupied the Clarence Hotel, opposite the Four Courts.

High Explosive Shells Used. '£ big gun was in action ©very 15 minutes. The death roll at two o'clock was estimated at 15. The number of wounded is not known, many having been injured In far distant spots by stray bullets. The artillery fired at 200 yds. range, osine high-explosive to reduce the risk of fire, as the Courts contain priceless legal documents. The main entrance to the Foot Courts b now blown down and the walls of the main building are badly smashed by artillery, moM of which was brought into action as the day advanced. It is reported that a priest was shot dead at the gates. A motor-car from Kildare with four yebels ran into the zone of action, and opened fire on the Free State troops, who replied, fatally wounding one. Rebels Fire On Wounded. Although the fighting was mainly confined to the Four Courts area yesterday, sniping became general throughout the centre of the city, through which the rebels seem to be scattered There were several attacks from ambush on Free State troops as they passed through the streets oil open lorries. Men in civilian clothes waited at corners with rifles and bandoliers, and fired whenever ttwy got a chance. One lorry carrying wounded wa3 fired on, but arrived at the hospital. None of the occupants were hit, bat a civilian was shot dead. A lorry containing Free State officers was bombed a~)d smashed in Leeson Street, all the occupants being badly wounded. Two are not likely to recover. As the day wore on the Free State troops were reinforced, and more field guns were brought up. Ten lorries laden with trcops arrived from Germanstown. It is believed that several hundred rebels are trying to get to Dublin to reinforce General O'Connor, but the are guarded and all stations are being watched. Passengers arriving by train are carefully searched by troops at the various termini. An urgent message has been issued to the Republican forces to rally to the dofence of their various positions. Danger of an Explosion. During the fighting a force of British troops in full kit passed through the city unconcernedly on the way to their camp at Phoenix Park. Ambulances wore dashing about the streets in all directions during the day. At midnight the Four Courts and other buildings were still in the occupation of the rebels, and fighting was proceeding in many districts, snipers, machine-guns, and field-guns operating intermittently. Residents in the battle area were removed early in the day, but many huddled | in the basements of tenement houses terrified by the noise cf battle. Great tears are felt fos the safety of civilians ,

Irving m the Pour Courts area, as the strongaold is known to contain a huge quantity of gelignite, which the shells may explode at any moment. ! The Daily Chronicle's special correspondent travelled by aeroplane to and from Dublin. He understands that republican regiments in County Dublin are mobilising for the purpose of relieving tie *our Courts garrison. The task of the I'ree State forces of reducing the fortress demands much artillery. Only two guns are available, and, thus the task will take them a long time. General O Connor somehow contrives to issue inflaming bulletins describing the fight and appealing to passion. It ia recognised that the Government's authority depends on to-night's events Anxiety centies in the Free State trbops, who are loyal and courageous, but lack "experience. * It is believed that General,O'Connor will not surrender until the Four Courts are battered and demolished.

FREE STATE MANIFESTO BREAKING A TYRANNY. A FIGHT FOR LIBERTY. Australian and N Z. Cable Association. (B*cd. 8.5 parj .) LONDON. June 28. The Irish Provisional Government has issued a statement dealing with the action taken to protect and secure the Irish people against further molestation and interference with their liberty. It says: "Against a direct challenge to its authority the Government ordered the army to take action." The manifesto declares that on Saturday last two Dublin firms reoeived demands in the name of the leader of the irregular forces to pay certain moneys by Tuesday. Forty-eight hours later the Government received the news of a raid by the same forces on a motor garage and arrested the culprits. Then came the kidnapping of Brigadier-General O'Connell.

The manifesto concludes: ,r None but Irish forces, with the co-operation of citizens, ire engaged in putting down the disorderly elements that, are attempting to tyrannise over the people and defy their will"

ANSWER FROM REBELS. FOR REPUBLIC TO THE END. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 28. General Rory O'Connor has issued the following message : " I received the Government's demaiid to surrender at 4 a.m., when it declared that it would attack with rifles, machine guns and field pieces. The boys are glorious and will fight for the republic to the end. How long will our misguided fonner comrades outside attack those who stand for Ireland alone? We have had three slight casualties so far. Fathers! Allxjrt and Dominic are with us. Our love to all comrades outside and to the brave boys of the Dublin Brigade."

BE VALERA'S ATTITUDE. ENGLISH THREATS BLAMED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. CRecd. 6.6 p.m.) LONDON. June 2a Mr. de Valera has issued Che following statement: "At the last meeting bf the Dail an agreement was ratified which, if faithfully observed, would have given an opportunity of working for internal peace to make the nation strong against the only enemy it has to fear, the enemy outside. That agreement has been broken at the bidding of the English. Irishmen to-day are shooting in the streets of the capital brother Irishmen, old comrades in arms and comoanions in the struggle for Ireland's indep adence and its embodiment in a republic. English propaganda will strive to blame Irishmen for this war. The world outside must not be deceived. In the face of England's threat some of our countrymen yielded. The men now attacked by the forces of the Provisional Government refused to yield, preferring to die. They are the best and bravest of the nation. They are unwilling that Irish independence shall be abandoned under the lash of an alien Government."

NO BRITISH ASSISTANCE. IRISH RESPONSIBILITY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Eecd. 7.5 p.m.) LONDON. Juno 28. In the House of Commons Mr. Winston Churchill declared that the attack or the Four Courts in no way arose out of the Irish debate or in consequence of the Imperial Government's declarations. It arose as a result of further action by General Rory O'Connor and the insurgents. The Provisional Government was solely responsible for the operations now proceeding. It had declined all assistance from the Imperial forces, except in so far as equipment was concerned. He had no trustworthy information in regard to casualties, but no definite result had yet been achieved. Heavy fighting ha progress. i . .