The Mankato free press., 1922-06-30


Dublin, June 27. Machine
gun and artillery fire was still
In progress at this hour. The
provincial government has i'm
posed censorship upon teie-
grams.
"The boys are sIohous and
will fight for the republic till
the end" said a communicate
issued this afternoon by Rory
, o'connor, commander OF the
insurgents under attack in the
. Four Courts. He said the only
casualty sustained so far by
the insurgents were three
slightly wounded. q
Dublin, June 2S.-A fierce battle
has been raging since dawn be-
tween. the regular Irish republican
army troops and the Irregulars un-
der Rory oConnor, for the posses
sion Of the four courts, recently
seized by the latter. 1t is believed
the casualties will be large. Ar
mored cars, trench mortars and
machine guns are being used.
AT $3.50 o'clock the battle was
still continuing. The copper dome
on the four courts had been blown
in, ambulances were dashing about
Tin all directions and the scene was
one of indescribable confusion.
The garrisons OF the four courts
and~the Fowler Memorial were re-
plying vigorously to the attackers
fire and refusing all demands to
surrender.
A Dublin dispatch to the London
Evening Standard says that after
some hours of fighting many of the
insurgent' Irish troops under Rory
O'Connor are retreating.
The premises in North Great
Georges street occupied by the COM
munist party and the I. W. WIS as
headquarters was fortified after
courts had begun and government
troops were fired upon from the
newly fortified building.
A rumor that Rory OConnor, the
republican insurgent commandant
had been wounded during the fight.
ing was in circulation this after
noon. No confirmation was obtain
able.
Fowler Hall On Fire
Fire broke out in Fowler Hall,
under attack by the provincial gov
eminent troops, shortly after noon.
At that hour it appeared that the
hA AotdlAS J4C lO0I
had taken refuge in the cellar in
the rear of that structure.
The Irregular Irish republican
army troops who were defending
Fowler Hall, evacuated that place
this afternoon. They proceeded to
large hotel belonging to Alderman
Moran, where they began erecting
defense.
Government Takes Action
The Irish provisional government
took forceful action today against
the insurgents Of the Irish repub.
lican army, investigating the four
courts building where the insur-
gents were opening hot attack
when a demand for surrender was
ignored
The fighting which opened short
ly after four a. m, was still in pro-
gress late this forenoon, the crack
of rifle fire and the rattle OF the
machine guns resounding over Dub
lin above the noise of the city's
traffic, which was being carried on
as usual.
Fowler Hall occupied by Irregu-
lars, also was attacked by Irish
government troops.
The official troops command the
four courts building from all sides
but the nature Of the structure
made an assault difficult and as the
building contains irreplacable doc
uments there was no disposition to
fire the structure as a means OF
ousting the insurgents.
THE number of casualties on
either side was not known definite
ly but fourteen had been reported
up to mid forenoon. Three irregu-
lars we're carried out of the four
courts building by the rear exit at
$50 o'clock They were believed
to be badly wounded and it was ru-
mored two others had been killed.
y Regular Troops Arrive
From the early hours there had
been considerable activity by the
regular troops in all parts of the
city, people both afoot and in We
hicles being held up and searched
for arms. ~
Five hundred regular troops with
armored cars and military ambu-
lances passed through Westmore-
land streets on Sackville street, one
party going into. Henry street, and
another into Abbey street from both
of which the rear of the four courts
can be approached.
Shortly after four O'Clock there
was a heavy burst of firing in the
neighborhood of the four courts fol-
lowed by a loud explosion and q
number of rifle shots in quick sue
cession and it was evident that
0sConnor's stronghold was being at !
tackled. - .--s.-
The garrison is believed to be
well equipped with rifles and am
munition while machine guns are
posted on the roof The number OF
the defenders is unknown but It ls
said many have deserted since the
early days of the occupation. New
ertheless it is believed some hun
dreds are still within. and well PRO.
visioned against siege.
The determination of the provf-
sional government to recapture the
four courts is ascribed entirely to
the insurgents act in seizing o.
Cennor and not to colonize Church
ills warning in the house OF com
mon. About 700 men were engaged
on the government side
Newspapermen were not allowed
to approach the scene of operations
the surrounding streets being cor
doned with troops, consequently
authentic details are difficult to OBJ
tain.
Later Reports of Fighting
An attack begun at dawn today
by Free State troops on the Irish
republican army barricaded In the
Four Courts at Dublin was still in
progress at one o'clock this after.
noon Under heavy fire from
rifles and machine guns and or
hish explosive shells from small
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