New-York tribune., 1921-12-06
Irish Struggle a Story of
700 Years Bloodshed

Era From Easter Week Rer0lt
in 1916 to Truce This Year
Depressed the Entire World
Seven hundred years of protest on
the part of the Irish people against the
inclusion of Ireland within the United
Kingdom lie back of the Irish settle
ment just reported reached in London.
From century to century, almost from
generation to generation, certain fac
tions IN ireland. political or religious.
have contested British rule. Among the
early rebellions were those of 1888,
1913 1908, 1s4S and 1867.
With dissension and strife continu-
ing through the years, the Home Rule
act eventually was proposed as So
iotlon OF the age-old problem.
Headed by John Redmond and later
Irish leaders the home rule movement
travelled a hard road up to the begin
ming of the World War, owing to the
strong opposition of the Conservatives
IN England and the Unionists of Ulster.
The Liberals, under Prime Minister
Asquith, succeeded in getting the bill
to the point of adoption with the ap-
rroval of Redmond but on the eve Of
the European conflict Ireland's hope
of home rule was shattered by the
Ulster rebellion.
Sir Edward Carson, at the head of
100000 Protestants defied the British
government to put the 1914 measure
into effect. The Conservatives blocked
immediate action on the bill in Parlia-
nient, and when Germany invaded Bel
giuln it was tabled, to be brought to
issue again seven years later, when the
renewed activity of the Sim Fein and
the policy of repression adopted by the
British government once more forced
another endeavor to heal the ancient
wound.
Dublin Revolt Broke Truce
Ireland remained comparatively quiet
during the first two years of the war.
But the hope of the British leaders
that the situation would continue
quiescent until the war was over under
q promise that home rule would be
put into effect at the close of the
World War struggle was suddenly
blasted by the Easter week rebellion in
Dublin, in April, 1916.
There have been no complete figures
OF the casualties resulting from the
bitter campaign of attack and reprisal
for the period beginning with the Dub
lin revolt, in which $50 civilians were
killed and GA wounded and property
damage estimated at $4,000 caused
But the toll of warfare in Ireland dur
ing 1920 may be taken as an example
OF the death and havoc wrought in the
preceding four years.
According to official reports of the
British government for 1920, 343 per-
sons were killed and 446 wounded, 6s
courthouses and $50 police barracks de-
stroyed and 2,8o1 places raided for
arms. Cable advices from Ireland since
January /, 1921, indicated that hun
dreds more had been killed and wounded
Frequent disorders occurred through
out Ireland in 1919 In March twenty
Sim Feiners escaped from Montjoy
prison. There followed outbreaks in
many Irish centers, including another
demonstration in Dublin, where the
british flag was burned in the streets.
On December 10, 1919, an attempt was
made to assassinate Viscount French,
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who was
ambushed while travelling along .
country road. He escaped, but one
member Of tpe party was slain and two
others were wounded.
The year 1920 was one of the most
bloody periods of the revolt.
Cork Mayor Assassinated
On March 21 Thomas MacCurtain
Lord Mayor of Cork, was shot to death
and his wife wounded by armed men
who raided their home. AS outbreaks
continued undiminished, the British
forces in Ireland were increased to
$4,000 in June.
1t was on August Is that Terence
MacSwiney, Lord Mayor Of Cork, began
his hunger strike, which resulted in his
death after seventy-four days of suf
Hc Ia
lands greatest martyrs.
Dublin was the scene of anothe,
bloody. incident on November 2i, when
the police in a roundup Of Sim Fein
suspects fired through the throngs nj
a football game at Croke Park. Twenty
SIX persons were killed and seventy
wounded. Sim Fein sympathizers were
charged with starting fires in Liver.
pool, which caused $4,000, 900 damage
on November 2s. The next day fl teen
auxiliary policemen were killed in am.
bush near Kilmichael and many towns
were hurned;sin reprisal.
Cork Swept by Fire
On December 12 fires in Cork de-.
stroyed the City Hall, library and other
public buildings, with loss of more
than $10,0o0,0 900. The fires were started
by bands Of masked men, who wrecked
and looted three hundred homes and
stores. fs
The new government of Ireland act
was passed by the British House OF
Commons on December 81, providing
for northern and southern parliaments
in Ireland and giving both factions
three and one-haf years to accept. In
manifesto de Valera denounced the
plan and demanded complete inde-
pendence or DEATH"
The. early. part of 1921 was marked
by continued disorders, the execution
Of Sim Fein followers, the murder Of
Michael O'Cnllahan, former Mayor al
limerick, who was shot dead in bed by
masked men.
Pope Benedict condemned bloodshed d
inSIreland. axympathizing with the peo-
PIE, while Irish Catholics in London
protested against Cardinal Bourne's
pastoral denouncing Irish outrages.
An important stags was reached on
Nay Ia 1874, when viscount Fitsalan