BELFAST BATTLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16455, 17 June 1921, Page 7

BELFAST BATTLE.

SINN FEINERS ENTRENCHED. FIRING FROM HOUSE TOPS REBEL POSITIONS STORMED. By Telecrraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 17, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, June 16. There was a storm centre at Belfast throughout the night on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tho city resembled a battlefield Largo numbers of Sinn Feiners entrenched themselves behind sandbag barricades in the streets, firing on the police. Others took up positions on the roofs and kept up a continuous fire on the police and military. The Crown forces had to storm Sinn Fein positions, the defenders evacuating directly there was any danger o‘ capture, though they returned and reoccupied the entrenchments when th« Crown forces passed. There were not enough police and soldiers to deal with tho Sinn Feiners. The killed included William Frazer, a boy of twelve, who went out to look for his sister. Frazer’s two brother* were previously drowned trying to save a boy.

MURDER AND ARSON RIFE. OUTRAGES THROUGHOUT COUNTRY. Bv Te'.«graph—Pt“«b Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 17. 9.50 a.m.) I/ON DON. Juno 16. While Sinn Feiners were converting Belfast into a temporary battlefield there were many outrages elsewhere. A farmer’s house was destroyed at Athbov and his wilt* and children were burned to death. A R.I.C. pensioner was murdered at Listowel: Boyle, a Protestant farmer at Muliinahone. wag killed ; and an aged Civil servant was shot near Cashel, all as alleged spies. Four hundred armed men attacked and destroyed Corea! House. Athlone. SkeVanish House, Innishannon, the residence of Colonel Peacock, who was recently murdered, and Coolmaine Castle, Kilbrittain, were both destroyed.

A party of rebels attacked a train preceding to Limerick. The soldiers returned the' fire, killing two.