IRISH TRUCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3514, 19 July 1921, Page 24

IRISH TRUCE.

GHASTLY WEEK END CRIMES. PRAYERS FOR PEACE. LONDON, July 10. The Government has stopped recruiting for the Royal Constabulary, which has been very brisk since the demobilisation of the Defence Forces. The order also applied to the auxiliary police. The Dublin correspondent of The Times states that only those living through the past terror can realise the profound relief and thankfulness with which all parties and creeds welcomed a truce. Saturday was a day of thankfulness. The political atmosphere was reflected in the looks and voices of the people, who moved and talked freely and gaily, for the cloud of fear and depression had been lifted. The press is delighted. The Irish Times voices the Southern Unionists’ gratitude for “ The. sudden and blessed change from shadow to sunlight. Our first and best thanks are due to his Majesty for his Belfast speech—one of the greatest services the Throne ever rendered to the State.” Popular interest continues in the peace negotiations. Praying queues are not only

to be seen in Dublin and Cork, but also in the churches of the poor London districts, where humble folk crowded all day on Sunday praying earnestly. RIOTS IN BELFAST. LONDON, July 10. A Belfast communique states that a tender containing a police patrol was fired jon this morning. Constable Conlan was killed and two others were dangerously wounded. The Crown Forces killed Thomas Russell at Inaoh for not halting when challenged. F our men were killed during riots in Belfast last night and this evening. During curfew on Saturday an attack was made on the police in the Sinn Fein district of West Belfast. Several constables were wounded, and one was killed. When the police reinforcements arrived the assailants retreated to their houses, whence they sniped from the housetops. The trouble was continued on Sunday, when tlie Loyalist and Sinn Fein mobs had a collision. During the afternoon an armoured car got between the combatants, and opened fire. A number were killed and wounded, including a boy aged 13, who has not been identified. LONDON, July 11. Sunday was the ghastliest day in Belfast’s history. Unionist mobs burnt down 42 houses (of which 20 belonged to Roman Catholics) in Cupar street alone. The hospital surgeons had continuous work for nine hours. One hospital announced at 7 o’clock in the evening that it could not accommodate further cases, and private hospitals had to be utilised. Catholic refugees from their burnt homes were seeking a spot on which to lay their heads. Sunday afternoon’s bombardment of an area comprising three-eighths of the city was reminiscent of France. For more than three hours nobodv except the Crown Forces went out of doors. It is estimated that 10,000 rounds of ammunition swept the streets in that locality. Fourteen persons are known to be killed, and other dead bodies are believed to have been carried into houses during the firing. July 11. Shots fired at a. policeman's house in Kilcasli killed a 15-year-old girl. Major O'Connor, a retired officer, was taken from his bed at Rochestown (Cork) and shot dead. The bodies of four soldiers, who were kidnapped at Cork on Sunday, were found two miles outside the town. They had been shot. Reports of shocking crimes marked the beginning of the truce. Sinn Feiners shot Eric Stadman. an ex-soldier, at Tullamore. The body was labelled: “Convicted spy. Sooner or later we get them. Beware. 1.R.A.” Two men shot Sergeant King dead at Castlerea while he was walking near the barracks. A private, who was walking unarmed. was shot dead at Doneraile. Armed masked men dragged John Poynton from his bed, and shot him dead* at Portarlington. STNN FEIN DELEGATION. LONDON, July 11. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George announced the receipt of a telegram from Mr De Valera stating that lie will arrive in London on Thursday. The Sinn Fein delegation will consist of Messrs De Valera, Arthur Griffith. Stack, and Barton (all members of the Bail Eireann).