DAY’S BATTLE DESCRIBES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11250, 30 June 1922, Page 5

DAY’S BATTLE DESCRIBES

ATTACK OPENS IN EARLY MORNING. FREE STATE FORCES STRENGTHENED. LONDON, June 28. The attack on the Four Courts opened at 4 o’clock this morning. The din of the firing awakened the populace, and thousands risked the flying bullets and hastened to occupy vantage points to watch the fight. The first victim among the Government troope 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 it increased in violence at 9 o’clock. Red Cross ambulances were stationed near the Castle gates in readiness for their grim work. The rattle of rifle and machine-gun fire was occasionally punctuated by the heavy concussion of high explosives. The Free State troops at the outset were about 800 strong, and were using at least one 12-pounder gun, mounted on an armoured car. General Ennis is commander of the investing forces. THE CASUALTIES. The besiegers’ fire has slackened, possibly because they are conserving their ammunition. Fourteen casualties are reported among the Free State forces. During the attack on the Fowler Memorial Hall rumours were current that Rory O’Connor was wounded. It is reported that some trouble occurred with a number of Free Staters, who refused to fire on their brother Irishmen. These men were placed under arrest. The rebels seized Barry’B Hotel and the Women's Trade Union Club and the Orange Hall. The regulars invested both places. The fire brigade did excellent work when the Fowler Memorial Hall caught fire at noon, and managed to quell the outbreak. Free State reinforcements are arriving in the city steadily. 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. ULTIMATUM TO REBELS. The Free State troops have issued an ultimatum to the defenders of the Four Courts, giving a time-limit of an hour. Eighteen-pounders have been placed in position, and Free State troops occupy all the surrounding buildings. The military controlled the telegraphs and telephones in Southern Ireland early this morning. There was intense excitement when a thousand Free' State troops attacked the Four Courts and the Fowler Memorial Hall. The irregulars, expecting the attack, had dug trenches across the quays. Ambulances_are dashing in all directions, 'lne neighbourhood is cut off, and civilians are not permitted to pass the cordon. Hundreds _of spectators line the quays and streets adjacent to the affected area, and business is suspended. Passengers arriving by trains are carefully searched by troops at the various termini. STATEMENT IN COMMONS. Referring to the conflict, Mr Winston Churchill, in the House of Commons, said the Provisional Government was solely responsible for the operations now proceeding in Dublin. They had declined all assistance 7 from the Imperial forces, except as far as equipment was concerned. T-here was no trustworthy information in regard to casualties. No definite result had yet been achieved, and heavy fighting was in progress. INCIDENT AT A GARAGE. Reuter’s Telneram. (Received June 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 28. Irregulars took possession of a Belfast firm’s garage in Dublin, and commandeered fourteen motor-care, which were driven off and damaged. Free State troops, in armoured cars, surrounded the garage, and demanded the surrender of the irregulars and the return of the cars before 6 o’clock. The door was opened a few minutes before 6 o’clock and the Free Staters marched in.