The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-17
GlOOmiest st. Patrick'S Day Ire
land Has Ever Seen.
British Troops Swarm in Effort
to Prevent Riots.
Even Some of British Troops
Wear Green Today.
Drive for Peace Is Started in
England.

Dublin. March 17.-Tossing of
bombs ushered in ST. Patrick's day to-
day.
Irishmen were awakened by the re-
verberations of explosions, echoing
thru the streets. Three military motor
lorries were attacked but were un-
damaged. The rifle fire of the troops
wounded eight civilians.
Large gatherings were barred in
Dublin, but many persons appeared in
the streets wearing the ancient Gaelic
costume. talking Gaelic.
Cardinal Logue. primate of Ireland
requested that the special services to-
day include prayers for peace.
Peace Drive Launched.
AT the same time, a peace drive was
launched in England where the arch
bishop of Canterbury had appealed
for special prayers to mark the day
St Patrick's day found British
army of sixty thousand men scattered
| thru the isle. Opposing this force was
a Sim Fein army of five times thai
many men.
Despite the numerical superiority
there was little talk in Irish gatherings
of driving the British out. The su-
perior equipment of the military, the
| fact it is modified at all times and
| that it could count on speedy rein,
forcement were recognized.
Marks Turning Point.
British soldiers were noticed with
| shamrocks on their jackets. Unof-
| ficially. an effort was made to have
| the day mark the turning point to.
ward peace.
| Word reached Sim Fein leader.
that Great Britain is ready to recog
; nize the Irish parliament as compris
ing the duly elected representative.
of the Irish people. The recognition
will be based, it was said. on the fac
| that the Dali Eireann is composed O
| men elected to the British house O
commons but refusing to serve.
With that fairly definite assurance
lreland's peace leaders hoped for tn,
aid of the churches today to arous
a peace sentiment.
| Shamrock Is FIaunted.
The Irish shamrock, was flaunte,
before the military today in Dublil
as well as other sections of the coun
| try. Special services were to be hell
In churches everywhere.
Despite the semi-religious nature o
the observances, there was fear of al
outbreak and soldiers. except for
few patrols. were kept in barracks IL
the hope of avoiding trouble
The day was the elimination o
Irish week. In the seven days jus
preceding, Sim Feiners endeavored t
speak only Gaelic and to purchas
Irish-made goods.
Efforts were made to distribute tn
shamrock thru Ireland and laborite
and liberals were urged to stage dem
onstrations which might hasten tn
British government into peace nego
tiations.
Several Shootings
Several serious shooting affrays oc
Cured in this city last night and
number of persons were injured in en-
counters between military forces an
police and civilians.
A number of soldiers riding in a mo
tor lorry were proceeding along Red
mondS Hills street on the north sid
of the city last evening when a bonn
was thrown at the machine. The sol
diers returned the fire and wounds
two persons.
Anothe. lorry was bombed and fire
upon from windows of houses alon
Camden street, and three civilian
were wounded when d bomb explode
in Aungier street. During a mele
near Ship street barracks many shot
were fired and three persons wer
wounded.
For the first time since disord er
broke out in Ireland identified ito
discs were given to the troops las
night.