New-York tribune., 1920-09-01
Nineteenth Day of Hunger
Strike Leaves Mayor
''Still Weaker'; King
Refuses to Interfere
Belfast Patrolled
By Armored Cars
Martial Law Considered
as Next Step If Riot.
ing Should Be Renewed
By Frank Getty

LONUON, Aug. 81. - With Belfast
quieter tonight than for several days.
interest in Irish affairs focuses once
more on Terence MacSwiney, Lord
Mayor of Cork. in Brixton prison, who
is reported "still weaker" but still
keeping his grasp on life despite his
nineteen days of hunger striking. Ac-
cording to his wife, MacSwiney is as
determined as ever to go on to the
finish.
So many appeals have been made to
King George for clcmency that the posi-
tion of the sovereign was set forth
definitely to-day in a letter which
points out that it would be unconstitu-
tional for the King to take any step
to release MacSwiney in the face of
the ministerial opposition.
"Also," the letter adds. "the country
at large might regard the price paid as
too high for the object obtained and
blame his majesty for creating grave
political crisis at a time of special
national stress and anxiety"
AS matter of fact, the country at
large feels that a political crisis of
the first magnitude would be averted
and not created by the release of Mac
Swiney. Grave developments are an
ticipated in the event of his death,
while it is suggested that clemency
would not aggravate the situation even
if it embarrassed the government.
Martial Law Considered
The sectaran warfare in Belfast
reached its highest pitch last night;
To-day, for the moment at least, it had
considerably died down. Fresh troops
are pouring into The city, more than
100 armored cars are patroling the
streets and the new curfew regulation
closes all places of entertainment at
$3.50 o'clock. The imposition af martial
law will be the next move made by
tha authorities unless the rioting
ceases. During the early hours to-day
fifty incendiary fires in different parts
of the city.
BELFAST, Aug. 31.-Nine persons
are dead as result of yesterdays
rioting in this city, another man being
killed last night and two of those
wounded in yesterdays disorders dy-
ing. Revised reports as to casualties
show that since the rioting began last
and about two hundred wounded.
Knots of soldiers held strategic
points in the affected areas during the
night, and it was said this morning
that troops occupy virtually all the
police barracks in the city.
Never in the history of Belfast were
there such disorders as prevailed yes
terday. Mobs fought with wild fury
in different sections Of the town. wom-
melees that developed wherever the op-
posing factions met. Girl workers
fought like wildcats in one clash yes
tcrday morning, parties attacking each
other as they were going to work.
Unionist women charged on number
of Nationalist girls in Cork Street,
while the Nationalists made an at
district.
An unidentified man was shot and
killed by a military patrol during cur
few hours tonight. The shooting oc-
CURED during the looting of a saloon
in Bankmore Street.
soldier was accidentally shot dead
by military patrol on Lingfeld Road
during the night.
Outlook Is Still Ominous
Ominous signs of further trouble
ushcred in the new day in rot-torn
Belfast. The only actual outbreak re-
ported early this forenoon was the
stoning of employees of Mackie's
foundry, in the notorious Kashmir
Road district, but groups of men col
lccted at many corners along Falls
Road, King Street and Royal Avenue,
giving unmistakablc indications that
trouble might come.
The campaign of incendiarsm against
Nationalist saloons in various sections
was continued by Unionist youths.
Mid afternoon arrived with the city
comparatively calm, however, except
for these attacks.
Some of the military posts were
withdrawn from the Falls and Shan
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