IRELAND

Southland Times, Issue 18857, 24 June 1920, Page 5

IRELAND

CIVIL WAR AT LONDONDERRY. TROOPS USE BALL CARTRIDGE. PITCHED BATTLES IN THE STREETS. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) j (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, June 22. { At Londonderry large bodies of Sinn j Fciners intercepted Unionist shipyard work- j ors who were mercilessly beaten. A num- j ber of prominent Unionists were wounded by bullets when walking the streets. The situation became so serious that troops dispersed the Sinn Feiners with a volley of ball cartridges, causing the Sinn Feiners to fly, but they concentrated later in another quarter of the city and organ- | ised fresh attacks on Unionists, j Masked parties of Unionists carrying | rifles and fixed bayonets took possession ot Carlisle Square, thus covering the ingresand egress of Londqnderry. Lying on the ground they kept up a rapid fire into Bridge Street, whence the Nationalists replied from strategic points with revolvers and service rifles. Troops and an armoured car hurried to Ike scene, but were unable to prevent rioting breaking out in other places. Riot--1 ers dashing into side streets eluded the i troops. The situation resembled civil war. It is difficult to estimate the casualties, but they are numerous. Shooting was renewed at Londonderry early this morning, three men being shot, two seriously. Sniping continues at the waterside. An atrocious crime was committed during Monday’s fighting at Londonderry. A party of armed men seized and bound McKay, a young soldier, who had served in France. He had arrived on a holiday visit j and was proceeding to his father’s house on I the outskirts of the j Sinn Feiners shot McKay dead. The | body was placed on a passing hearse, and I the 'driver was ordered to convey it to the father’s residence. Sinn Feiners at Glenhatan ambushed a a party of soldiers, wounding (hree and taking prisoner several others. They declared that they will hoid the prisoners as hostages and exchange them for Sinn Feiners who were captured last week. . A party of armed men concealed behind, the railway piers at Beresford Place, Dublin, fired upon a motor car containing Mr Roberts, Assistant Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and three constables. Two bombs were also thrown into the car, which drove into safety. The occupants returned the fire. Mr Robson was shot in the head and the driver through both legs. It is believed that neither is in a dangerous condition. THE LONDONDERRY’ CASUALTIES. NINE CIVILIANS KILLED. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, June 22. (Received June 23, 8.15 p.m.) In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law stated that the county inspector at I Londonderry reported that nine civilians 1 had been killed and fifteen to twenty wounI ded Brigadier-General Arthm Campbell, I commanding the district, had gone to Lonj donderry with full discretion to deal with ! the situation. i The Chief Secretay stated that the force | at Londonderry was reported to be acleI quatc. but General Campbell had been inI si rue led to ask for whalctcr force he might j think necessary. j MILITARY’ OCCUPATION OF THE j CITY. | CLOSING OF IRISH RAILWAYS. 1 A DUBLIN RUMOUR. j | LONDON, June 22. j (Received June 23, 8.50 p.m.) I Soldiers wearing full equipment slept in ■ the streets of Londonderry last night, sen- | tries with fixed bayonets marching up and I down. Military reinforcements have been i despatched from Belfast to assist in bread I and milk deliveries at Londonderry, t It is announced at Dublin that the GovI ernment is about to close down all the Irish j railways. . | A railwayman at Londonderry, in a dying 1 declaration, said he was held against a wall j and shot, I A large party ambushed a police cyclist j patrol at Bantry. They shot one constable I dead, while two others were wounded and ! arc now in a precarious condition. The ! patrol surrendered. The raiders permitted I n constable to go for an ambulance. | The Londonderry magistrates adopted a 1 resolution urging the Government to pro- ] claim maitial law and send sufficient troops j to enforce it. 1 In his presidential address at tae bearborough Labour Conference, Mr Hutchison demanded the unconditional withdrawal of troops from Ireland, and declared that ihe Empire could not be held together by force. j THE POLITICAL PROBLEM. ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, June 22. (Received June 24, 12.5. am.) The Pall Mall Gazette states that Lord Monteagle, after collaborating with Sir Horace Plunkett, will introduce in the House of Lords a Bill proposing the establishment of a Dominion I arhament for Ire I [and. The chief clauses will provide for an i Irish Constituent Assembly, with power to j formulate an Irish constitution on domin- | ion lines.