New-York tribune., 1920-08-02
Irish Disorders
Spread Despite
10000 Troops
Situation Is Growing More
Intense Daily; General
Conflagration Is Feared; I;
More Soldiers Are Sent
Cunmen i'm Dublin Streets
Reprisals ON Villagers for
Harboring Assailants of
Policemen Are Expected


Irish situation, which is daily growing
more tense, may burst into general
conf1agration at any moment are ex-
pressed in responsible quarters here.
At the present there is virtually no
civil law south OF the Boyne River ex-
cept that administered by republican
courts, but it is pointed out that each
day finds the balance between mill
tary and revolutionary rule growing
more equal.
1t is estimated there are between
10000 and $4,000 fully equipped Brit
ish soldiers in Ireland, and they arc
being reinforced daily by men arrv-
ing from across the Channel. AS a
result there are more frequent and
more stubborn battles between the
troops and the republican volunteers,
who for a time had things much their
own way. There have also been more
arrests for carrying arms and seditious
literature, as reports to courts martial
show. 1t is expected the number of
these arrests will increase If the gov
ernment succeeds in carrying it's "dras-
tic measures" in the House of Com
mons next week.
Reprisals by policemen and soldiers
on villages suspected of harboring men
responsible for attacks against the
armed forces of the Crown are also ex-
pected here, the police being partcu-
larly aroused over the attacks made on
their fellow members.
Country Houses Burned
In the meantime the Sim Feiners, in
carrying on their campaign, have Writ
ually cleared the country of barrac cks
They are now turning their attention
to country houses where military forces
might be housed, and a number of
these have been burned during the
last ten days. Attacks on coast guard
stations for the purpose of capturing
explosives have been stopped, it having
been established that this practice was
importing the lives of seamen, who
could not be warned of marine dangers
except by these guards. Homes of
coast guards are not immune, how
ever, and a number of these have
lately received attention. In fact, moth
ing in Ireland is safe at present that
might either be used against the Re-
publican movement or that might as
sst it,
Irish banks which do business with
the Bank of England and necessarily
make periodical shipments of bullion
to the latter institution have called on
the military authorities for armed
guards for the lorries that move the
bullion at night. This has led to re-
ports that bank reserves are being
moved to England.
In Dublin crowds gather on the
streets at night, impeding traffic and
frightening nervous persons on the
slightest provocation, and the police
stand idly by, seemingly realizing that
interference might lead to something
more serious. Just before midnight,
the curfew hour, the orderly elements
stream away to their homes, but LONG
after this there are many stragglers
about the streets. AS result a score
or more are gathered in each night
Tor being out of their homes without
permits. At street corners, night and
day, can be seen numerous gunner
representing both sides of the conflict.
Ihey, are ready for action at mo-
ment's notice. Some of these have
come from the United States and
Canada.
,Brigadier General C. H. T. Lucas.
who escaped from a Sim Fein prison
lhursday night after being kidnaped
and held captive for month. arrived
here from Tipperary Saturday. After
remaining until midnight as the Guest
Of Admiral Sir Reginald Tupper. he
embarked on a destroyer for ENGLAND
London Papers Discuss Ireland
From The T,i5une's European Burecu
Copyright. 1920, New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Aug. ALI the Sunday
newspapers discuss the Irish situation
editorially. Several speculate on the
mesaures the government intends te
enforce in the effort to obtain sem.
blance of law and order. Courts mar
tlal, heavy penalties for possession OF
firearms and deportation for Sim Feir
ofliclals are some of the guesses
j. l.. Garvin, editor of "The Oh.
server" who is an intimate friend OF
Premier Lloyd George, says he is an.
preaching the most critical period OF
his postwar career. He points out
the difficulties of trying to satisfy the
demands of both the Liberals and Con
servatives in the cases of Ireland and
Russia
Garvin indicates that rumors of seri,
GUS dissensions in the Cabinet are not
without foundation. The coming week
in Parliament is expected to be en-
llvened by debate on Ireland though
the governments coercion bill probably
will be hello up until just before the
summer adjournment.