South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-02-06
IRISH OFFICER
DENIES RUMOR
ABOUT TROOPS
Says Maj. Gen. Strickland's
Statement About Soldier
Morale is Untrue.

1CONIINCED FROM PAGE ONE)
British government" lie did not
say whether the direction OF the
republican army was in the hands
OF one man or a committee.
Col. y Tells story.
Col. X began.
The Irish republican army dots
the entire country. Our plan is to
account for every district either BY
battaliOns or companies: every foot
OF ground is being surveyed and
studied with reference 10 the most
promising spots for amhushes and
with regard to the dispositions Of
the crown forces The size Of our
forces varies according to the ma
ture OF the country and the num-
Der and character OF the inhabi-
tants. County Meath. for instance.
is sparsely settled, and the. terrain
is tlat, making conditions for fight
ing unfavora BILE.
we are slowly but steadily car
rying out our plans. 1t should be
understood. however, that we must
organize and train men for the
work while we are engaged in fight
ing"
The unit OF the organization. ac-
cording 10 the officer. is the COM
pany. whose full strength normally
is 100 men. each company being
tactfully self-contained and furnish
ing its own siSnallers, engineers and
machine guns.
Small Units.
THE tendency, though" he con-
tinued. lis TO operate in smaller
units in areas like Ulster. where
certain districts are either too
thinly Ieopled or the population is
hostile. In some areas. where con-
ditions are wholly favorable. the
companies are formed into battal-
ions and brigades. This is our reg
ular army. The men on the run
are somewhat similarly organized.
but i'm small units They work in
are kept well armed. clothed and
equipped, but the vast bulk OF our
men are not on the run: some are
available for operations in the day
time, others at night"
Col Y asserted that the organi-
cation was growing rapidly and
that il was easy TO obtain recruits
No pay is given to the members Of
the organization, except instructors.
Regarding the maintenance Of
supplies, arms and ammunition,
Col. Y said:
No Danger.
There is no danger Of any short
ge Besides what is captured in at
lacks. the usual supply continues TO
trickle I'm from the outside Our
methods of hghting. short. sharp
enga gements economic ammuni-
ton 10 the utmost"
The Irish republican army is not
hampered by lack OF funds. a large
part of which, Col Y declared
comes from America in subscrip-
tons 20 the republican loan
Asked why individual policemen
were shot down. he said that no
policeman was picked OF because
he happened 10 be an officer, as
sorting. mo attack is made unless
some one is wrong with the police
mans record. such as engaging in
Intelligence work"
Discussing the republican army's
methods OF warfare. he explained:
Guerilla lighting is not SO futile
as many people may believe. Our
people i'm 9S came out in masses
against the British and were moved
down i'm one summers campaign.
We would he quickly snnihilated.
TOO. 1T We attempted 10 oppose the
military in bulk But we hit them
without being hit We have kept
on for a year. and the boys are still
full OF ginger and eager 10 con-
tinue.
Undermining Morale.
"Our methods are undermining
the morale OF all the crown forces
Take the auXiharies for example.
Al first the auxiliaries were a dash
ing lot and handy with their guns.
But now. since they have been fore
ed 90 take refuge in armor plated
cars covered with netting. their
prestige is gone. We no longer
fear them.
we are also undermining Eng
land economically. The cost 20
England we estimate is a million
pounds weekly 70 maintain armed
forces in Ire and. and II will be
necessary 10 Increase the forces ire
mend0usly before they can make
Roadway against us Furthermore.
We are undermining England's rep
utation abroad