Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-19
COVERNOROF
IRELAND HAS
'ACLOSE CALL
Fired Upon From Ambush
While Driving in Mo-
tor Near Dublin.

Dublin, ireland, Dec. 19.-Ar at
tempt was made at o'clock today
to assassinate viscount French, the
lord lieutenant of Ireland
, Lord French was driving be-
tween the Ashtowne gate of Phoe-
mix park and the vice regal lodge
when shot was fired. A civilian
nearby was struck and instantly
killed by the bullet. A policeman
was wounded at the same time.
Lord French, however, escaped
the fate intended for him.
Engage in Fusillade.
Several shots are said to have
been fired by Lord French's assail-
ants. The military present prompt
ly returned the fire and one of the
assailants was shot dead. His body
lay by the roadside.
Ambulances were Immediately
rushed to the spot. The most ex-
citement prevailed when two tanks
passed through the streets at about
A number of men were. hiding in
a field beside the road when Lord
French motored past. The first
shot fell in front Of the vice regal
car. but the second entered the side
Of the car and another pierced its
back. A cyclist policeman. acting
as escort, was hit in the foot.
Bombs Exploded.
One bomb exploded and dug a
hole in the road near the Ashtowne
corner. Portions Of another bomb
were found.
The attacking party Is believed
to have numbered five or six per-
sons.
The civilian who was killed is
declared to have had bombs in his
possession.
Escort Behind.
The military escort which met
Abrd French at the Ashtowne sta
<tion, was some distance behind
when the attack occurred, but
quickly galloped to the scene, be-
ing summoned by a woman who
was driving car containing Lord
French's baggage. She turned
back Immediately upon hearing the
firing. The attack on Lord French
was made 200 yards from the Ash
towne station.
Policeman Loughlin was talking
with a civilian as Lord French
passed. Loughlin was killed dur
ing the shooting. The civilian
with whom he had been talking
fred at Lord French and another
policeman killed him. The attack
ing party fed across the fields in
the direction Of Dublin. None Of
Lord French's assailants was
caught.
An automobile which was follow
ing that containing Lord French,
bearing other members of the
/ party, was shattered by the firing
and its driver was injured.
Comes at Critical Period.
The attempt upon the life Of Wis
count French in Dublin comes in
the midst of the most serious and
threatening political upheaval that
Ireland has experienced In many
years. The development Of the
Sim Fein movement In ireland has
been rapid within the last year, re-
sulting In an overwhelming tri-
umph for that organization at the
last general elections and develop
ing the Organization Of separatist
government, headed by Eamonn de
Valera, with an Irish Republican
parliament claiming the authority
to legislate for Ireland, but put un-
der the strictest Of bans by the
British authorities.
Disorders Frequent.
Meanwhile, throughout large sec.
tions of the island there have been
frequent disorders, together with
counter action by the authorities
in the way Of repressive measures
such as the suppression of the Sim
Fem and kindred Irish organiza.
tions by proclamation, arrests o.
numerous Sim Feiners, and many
raids for the seizure of documents
and suspects. and searches for hid.
den arms. In dealing with the sit
uation the government has beer
employing large military forces, al
Official statement in October declar
ing that $1,000 troops were in Ire
land.
+. French An Irishman.
Field Marshal Viscount French
Of Yypres, who himself is an Irish
man. was appointed lord lieutenan
in May. 1918. after having servet
as commander Of the British hom,
forces since his retirement as com
mander-.n-chief Of the British arm,
in France, when he was relieved b,
General Haig. late in 1915.
As typifying British authorit,
over Ireland the lord lieutenan
stands a conspicuous figure, ant
presumably has been we'll guarded
in his travels in that country. Tn,
attack upon him today, in tn,
- a