Evening star., 1922-06-11


The British Empire.-Ulster fears an IN
vasion in force from Free State territory. The
British government is pledged to defend Ulster
against such an invasion: That the British
government shares the fear of one IS SHOWN
by its dispatch of considerable reinforcefnents
to Ulster. That which above ALL keeps Ulster
on edge is fear of cooperation OF elements
within Ulster with invaders from Free State
territory.
On June British troops in Ulster attacked
and captured or drove into Free State terri
tory the "dissident' troops OF the irish re-
publican army who had estabshea h nsat, ehdn eIs-
ts1ct of County Fermanagh. The British loss
nil, that of the southerners three killed.
The affair came about through firing. on June
3 and the morning of June 4. by southerners
ON British columns moving about on Ulster
territory. one Briton being killed. tIhls ac-
cording to British report)
A communique issued from headquarters OF
above noted action of British forces and de-
mands thorough Investigation thereof by the
Irish troops in the Pettigoe district are not
irregulars or "dissidcnts' but regular Free
reprisals by first firing the British that
the British fired without warning or provoca-
turning the fire. one Briton was killed: that
the British pushed into Free State territory
look pettigoe, through which town the
boundary between Free State and Ulster ter
rltory
X 4 X
1t is understood that the British government
authorized employment of British troops along
the Fermanagh border for the precise
that they were expected to resist the tempta-
tion Ca dangerous to the Ulster
stabulary) to carry a counter invasion into
Free State territory. OF course. II regular
Free State troops invaded Ulster territory. from
the point of view OF the angels Irish head
quarters should keep quiet. but equally. of
course. If British troops have invaded Free
State territory. whatever the justification. the
that their own troops started it.
On June the British troops cleared out
salient of County F'ermanagh after an hours
brisk artillery, machine gun ma and rifle fire. The
Free State territory unless they should be
fired on while moving on Ulster territory.
British report. Military necessity compelled
the British 10 penetrate a short distance into
british casualties. one man slightly wound
ed, but its reverberations may prove i'm
portant
There seems to have been some subsistence
of disorder and outrage in Belfast during the
past week.
The conferences in London between mem
bers of the British government and Irish lead
ers committed to the London agreement con-
tinue.
1t is said that the chief criticism by the
British government of the draft of the con-
stitution of the Free State prepared by the
Irish provisional government goes to a clause
which would give to the Irish court of ap-
peals final decision in interpretations of the
constitution Such final decision to the
constitutions of other associated nations of
the British commonwealth of nations
with the judicial committee of the English
privy council.
1t is expected that the lockout in the Brit
ish engineering industry will end within
few days, employers and employees having
composed their differences.
x x X
France.-The eminent bankers who, at the
request of the reparations commission, have