TROOP TRAIN WRECKED

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 19

TROOP TRAIN WRECKED

MINE USED ON LINE. LONDON, nine 24. Sinn Feiners derailed a train near Dundalk which was conveying troops-'partici-pating in the King’s visit to Belfast. Tne train toppled over an embankment, file rebels exploded a mine, wrecking the rear carriages. It was at lirst reported that 40 persons were killed, but the death roll is now said to be less. Eighty horses were killed. (Received June 26, at 5.5 p.m.) The outrage occurred in the lonely mountainous district just over the Ulster border. The Sinn Feiners exploded a mine, wrecking the rearmost carriages. There were 104 men on board the train, mostly of the 10th Hussars, commanded by Captain Lord William Montagu Scott, who was uninjured. The explosion killed 80 horses, but the death roll is less serious than was at first reported. A number of bodies, including that of the guard, are visible under the wreckage. Two men - seen running away after the explosion were shot dead by tile troops. A military' communique from Dundalk states that three Hussars and tlie guard were killed and 20 Hussars injured. Thirty horses were killed. June 25. There is no doubt as to the authorship of the dastardly crime at Dundalk. A gang of armed rebels during the morning seized a party of workers on the line and imprisoned them in the huts. Then, taking the toevs, they tore up the rails and awaited tha troop train. The mine was laid just before the train passed. r ifteen signal fires were counted on the mountains; evidently their purpose was to communicate tlie location cf the train to those exploding the mine. Fortunately they failed to explode it at the light moment, otherwise many more of the Hussars would have been killed. As it was the engine jumped the gap and the front carriages were saved, though 15 other compartments were smashed up and flung down the steep embankment, a second explosion knocking the tender off the rails. The bottom of the embankment was piled up with appalling wreckage. The cries of the maimed soldiers and the screams of the mutilated horses were heartrending. The soldiers in front of the train rushed up to help, while others sought out the train wre ' Two civilians who were seen rnnnii way and who were killed are still unidentified. A third was wounded. * Meanwhile the scene of the wreckage was terrible in the extreme. Every now and then there was a pistol shot as a horse was put out of its agonv. Some were on their backs amid the wreckage and were kicking violently. Tlie soldiers were almost as infuriated at the horses agonies as at the death of their comrades. One tiny polo pony called Tich, which was the regimental mascot, was terriblymaimed, but the soldiers refused to shoot it. until a last effort had been made to save the animal. Fifty horses were thus killed in addition to 30 killed in the accident. Though the telegraph wires in the vicinity were cut to prevent the getting of help, nevertheless doctors and ambulances quickly arrived APPEAL TO DE VALERA. INVITATION TO CONFERENCE. LONDON, June 25. Lord Fitzaian has summoned the Southern Irish Parliament to meet on Tuesday. Air Lloyd George has written to De Valera that the Government is deepiv anxious to assure him that the King’s appeal for a reconciliation in Ireland is not made in vain. The members of the Government feel that it is incumbent upon them to make a final appeal in the spirit of the King's words for a conference between representatives of the Government and South and North of Ireland: " I invite you as the chosen leader of the great majority in Southern Ireland, firstly, to attend a conference in London in company with Sir James Craig to explore the utmost possibility of a- settlement. Secondly, to bring any colleagues you select. The Government will give safe conduct to all chosen to participate in the conference. IVe make the invitation with a ferventdesire to encl the ruinous conflict which for centuries has divided Ireland and embittered the relations with the peoples of these islands, whose co-operation would mean so much for the Empire and humanity. We ask you to meet us, as we meet you, in a spirit of conciliation, which his Majesty appealed for.” A similar letter has been sent to Sir James C raig. DIS APPOIX TED ] ) FPUT ATT ON. LONDON, June 25. It is stated scmi-oftkially in Dublin that a high Castle official ordered De Valera’s release. The dominion Prime Aiinisters declined to receive a deputation of Irish women who sent each Prime Minister a repot t concerning the sufferings of Irish women and children, reprisals on women, and the treatment of women prisoners.