Grand Forks herald., 1919-12-19
Serious Situation Arises In
Midst OF Worst Political
Upheaval Ireland Ha. Ex-
perienced In Years; Much
Disorder Is Reported.

Dublin, Dec. 1s.-An attempt was
made at l o'clock this afternoon to
assassinate Viscount French. the lord
lieutenant of Ireland.
Lord French was driving between
the Ashton gate of Phoenix Park,
and the Viceregal Lodge when a shot
was fired. A civilian nearby was
bullet
A policeman was wounded at the
same time.
London, Dec. 19.-News of the at
tempt to assassinate Viscount French
In Dublin was confirmed this after
noon by the Irish office. A late mes
sage from Dublin said: r.
'Viscount French was alright"
Lord French, however. escaped the
fate evidently intended for him.
.. Several Shots Fired.
Several shots are said to have been
fred by Lord French's assailants
The military present promptly re-
turned the fire and one Of the assail-
ants was shot dead. His body lay by
the roadside.
Ambulances were rushed to the
spot. Information gathered Indicated
that the assassins fired from a field
while the vice regal party was passing
along the road.
The most intense excitement pre-
vailed when two tanks passed through
the streets at about $3.50 p. m.
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 it's back. A
cyclist policeman acting as escort was
hit in the foot.
The military escort which met Lord
French at the Ashtown station was
some distance behind when the at
tack occurred but quickly galloped to
the scene, being summoned by q
woman who was driving a car con-
tanning Lord French's baggage. She
turned back Immediately on hearing
was made 200 yards from the Ash
town station.
Policeman Killed.
Policeman .Loughlin was talking
with a civilian as Lord French passed.
Loughlin was killed during the shoot
Ing. The civilian-with whom he had
been talking fred at Lord French and
another policeman killed him. The
attacking party fed across the fields
in the direction Of Dublin. None Of
Lord French's assailants was caught.
One report said that the attack
WAS made with reYolvers and bombs.
The civilian who was killed is de-
clared to have had bombs in his pos
: session. Two loaded revolvers also
were found on him. He was killed BY
. shot In the head. :. ~ -
One bomb exploded and dug big
hole in the road near the Ashtown
were found.
The attacking party is believed to
have numbered five or six persons.
Situation Is Serious.
The attempt upon the life Of Wis
count French in Dublin comes in the
midst Of the most serious and threat
ening political upheaval that Ireland
has experienced in many years. The
development of the Sim Fein move
ment in Ireland has been rapid within
the last year, resulting in an over-
whelming triumph for that organiza-
ton at the last general elections and
developing the organization OF sep
aratist government, headed by Fam
onn Devalera, with an Irish republi-
can parliament claiming the authorlty
to legislate for Ireland but put under
the strictest of bans by the British
authorities.
Meanwhile throughout large sec
tions. Of the island there have been
disorders, attacks on constables and
minor officials coming with great
frequency. Together with counter
action by the authorities in the way
of repressive measures, such as the
suppression Of the Sim Fein and
kindred Irish organization by procla-
nation, arrests of numerous Sinn
Feiners and many raids for the seiz-
ure of documents and suspects, and
searches for hidden arms. In dealing
with the situation the government has
been employing large military forces,
an official statement in October an
nouncing that $1,000 troops were in
ireland.
Field Marshal Viscount French Of
Ypres. who himself is an Irishman,
was appointed lord lieutenant of Ire-
land in May. 1918. after having
served as commander OF the British
home forces since his retirement as
commander-in-chte OF the British
army in France. when he was re-
iIieved by General Haig late In 1919.
AS typifying British authority over
. ireland, the lord lieutenant stands a
conspicuous figure, and presumably
has been well guarded in his travels
IN that country. The attack upon
him today in the neighborhood of
Phoenix Park recalls the memorable
connection Of that locality with pre-
Hous outbreaks in Ireland. It was in
Phoenix Park, in 1882, that Lord
Frederick Cavendish,, chief secretary
of Ireland, and Thomas III. Burke, the
under secretary, were assasstnated.