OUTRAGES IN IRELAND.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15247, 21 June 1920, Page 3

OUTRAGES IN IRELAND.

SERIOUS RIOTS AT LONDON-

DERRY

THE INDUSTRIAL PROBLEM,

THREAT TO WRECK TRAINS

Elec. Tel. Copyright— Cnlted press AssnJ .Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, June 18.

Sixteen Sinn, Feiners attacked two young ladies at Castletown; m County Cork, and cut off their hair because they entertained two military officers. The party afterwards attacked the officers, burned their car, and flung the girls' hair into the 'flames.

LONDON, June 19. Serious rioting lasting ail night occurred at Londonderry, Unionist exsoldiers being engaged m a battle with stones with Sinn Feiners. Many women participated oh both sides. There was indiscriminate rifle and revolver shooting, and several casualties occurred. The police are powerless to interfere. The situation improved at midnight on the arrival of the troops. Unionists guarded Carlisle bridge, thus preventing numbers of Sinn Feiners from returning to their homes. Sinn Feiners attempting to cross the river m boats were driven back by rifle bullets and compelled to billet themselves with friends.. The troops m the meantime are diligently searching pedestrians for arms. ,

The Government has informed' the British and Irish railwaymen's deputation that it will take drastic action m the event of further refusals to convey troops and munitions. Strikers will be summarily dismissed, and if^ a general railway strike occurs the Government will run the trains it requires with the military and will shut down ' the remainder.

The Irish delegates frankly told the Minister that m that case certain, sections of Irishmen would deliberately destroy tracks and wreck trains, adding that the inevitable paralysis of Irish industries would result m civil war.

Railwaymen met the Premier and Ministers as previously cabled on* June' 1. Mr. Thomas subsequently stated that the railwaymen proposed that the Government should not send further troops or munitions to Ireland. If the Government agreed the railwaymen would appeal to all sections of the Irish people to suppress crime and violence, and the British and Irish Trade Union Congresses would use the period of truce to seek a solution of the various problems, and also discuss with the Government means of producing a better atmosphere m. Ireland m the hope of settling the Irish problem. Tlie Government replied, refusing to discontinue the despatch of troops and munitions, but stating it would do its-, utmost to prevent provocation, It is willing to meet representatives of all Irish sections, including the Sinn Feiners, but could go no further : than that. Mi Thomas added that the question of dock strikes m Dublin remained unsettled. He desired, m order to prevent misunderstanding, to state that the Government intended to close .the Irish railways m the event of transporters further refusing to carry troops and munitions. He feared . this would lead to incalculable consequences. The Engish and Irish railwaymen would continue to consider the position m the light of the Government's announcement.