DESPERATE BATTLE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11253, 4 July 1922, Page 5

DESPERATE BATTLE

DE VALERA REFUSES TO SURRENDER. HEADQUARTERS BOMBARDED. LONDON, July 2. A “Daily Express” correspondent, reporting by wireless from a steamer in Dublin harbour on Sunday evening, says that a desperate (battle is developing. Archbishop Byrne and the Lord Mayor visited Mr Do Valera at the Gresham Hotel on Sunday morning and asked -him to surrender. Mr De Valera refused, and accordingly Mr Collins ordered that the attack on the Sackville street area should be recommenced. A heavy artillery bombardment followed. There is fierce fighting in the centre of the city, where a block of building protected by a barricade of vehicles extends for three-quarters of a mile. Windows are filled with mattresses. The various (buildings are connected by tunnels. Rifle fire is continuous, and many land -mines have been exploded. Mr De Valera’s headquarters, the Gresham Hotel, is -being bombarded. (Received , July 3, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 3The Free Staters surrounded and attempted to storm the (building in which Messrs De Valera and Brugho and Countess Markievicz are lodged. A LATER REPORT SAOKVILLE STREET STRONGHOLDS SURRENDER. LONDON, July 2. The battle is proceeding fiercely. The rebels evacuated their strongholds in Sackville street, and five hundred were captured. „ „ _ , Bishop O'Reilly urged Mr De Valera to join a peace conference at the Shelbourne Hotel, but he sent no reply.