Morning journal and courier., 1881-02-14
THE OLD WORLD.
Ireland.

EDenounsing Coerc1on-A Great Mass Meeting i'm Hyde Park-FIyins Col
 umns and their Dut1es-UnpIeasan Work for the Military.
 LONDON, Feb. 13.-An immense mass meet ling of Radicals and Iris hmen was held at Hyde Park to-day. Six platforms were erect ed, and crowd surged around each to listen Ito the remarks of the speakers. Resolutions were passed condemning coercion in any form, Michael Davitt's arrest and the action of the Speaker of the House of Commons.
 The supposed murder of Lieutenant Roper, . of the Royal engineers of Chatham, excited great interest He was shot in the foot while ascending a stairway in the barracks.
 When the coercion bill comes into opera &tion next to the arrests nothing will attract more attention than the operations of what are known in military parlance as the flying columns" In 1867 flying columns were first organized in Ireland to combat the isolated risings in the south and west. Those who accompanied the troops recount anything but pleasant experiences. On the present occa- sion it is expected in military circles that the columns will receive orders to march imme- diately on the passage of the coercion bill, and the 20th of this month has been named 'in high quarters as the probable date Ow-
 
 the introduction of fresh regiments into the country unusual pressure has been put upon the military authorities. Rarely has so much activity prevailed in the various departments Every available regiment has been drafted into the country, there being at this moment not less than 27 ,OO0 well drilled soldiers, com prising LOGO cavalry, 2,400 artillery, 20, 800 Infantry with 40, 800 horses and 70 guns. The force is principally distributed through 8out the provinces of Munster, Leinster and 7Connaueht. The difficulty of securing suita- kle accommodations for such a formidable number of men may easily be imagined. Jails, warehouses and burned into temporary barracks. Dub hin is bristling with bayonets and now boasts of it's garrison, comprising splendid divi- sion of 6. GOO men, chledy belonging to Eng &lish and Scotch regiments. This includes 1.-Two hattalions of the famous foot guards < Their uniforms are conspicuous on every thorouehfare But notwithstanding their history they are very unpopular in the Irish metropolis On the occasion of their last visit, during the Fenian rising of 1867, they made themselves obnoxious. This is keenly remembered against the stalwart Englishmen and Scotchmen. Consequently numerous unpleasant encounters occur after nightfall in unfrequented thoroughfares between the N'.Chuckies," as they are called, and the roughs of the city. In order to increase the deficiency and mobility of the army in Ireland .the flying coldmns, nine in number, have beer 7organized Two are assembled in Dublin, two in the curragh camp, one in Belfast, one ir Cork, one in Fermoy, one in Limerick and lone in Athlone. The wagons which are te accompany the columns have been packed
 the troops are ready to move at an hours notice. Each column is composed of ons 4troop of cavalry, one division of Royal hoFSi Hartillery, with two guns, and foul *companies Of infantry, each consisting Hof 200 non-commissioned officers apt