The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-02-14
No Further Reason for
Existence of the Amer
lean Association For
the Recognition of the
Irish Republic Is View
of President Doheny

OF President Ooheny
Belfast, Feb. 14.-(By the Associat-
ed Press. )-Snipers continued their
grim work in the disturbed sections of
Belfast this morning and by midday
the death roll since Saturday had been
increased to eighteen by the deaths OF
two men who were victims to flying
1 bullets in the streets during the noon
hour The number of wounded at the
same hour had reached the total of
approximately SO.
In the main thoroughfares of the
city, business proceeded apparently
as usual, but in the storm centers the
sniping was frequent and dangerous
Belfast, Feb. 14.-Two men were
shot and seriously wounded this
morning. The police today were again
patrolling the trouble dis riots of the
cities in armored cars to forestall any
serious outbreaks. The majority of
the shops along North Queen street
have been obliged to suspend bust
ness.
Almost State of War
London, Feb. 14.-(By the Associat-
ed Press )-Michael Collins dramatic
disclosure of an alleged republican
plot to overthrow the provisional gov
ernment, the sudden and unexplained
suspension of the British military
evacuation, and the dangerous tension
between the north and south have
combined to produce a serious situa-
tion in Ireland.
Dispatches show that the position
on the frontier is not far removed
from state of war. Indeed, the pros
pect of civil war is being feared in
Belfast and elsewhere in the north.
The dispatches sent by the Belfast
correspondents of the London news
papers represent the temper of the
Uls .ermen as being such that unless
the kidnapped unionists are speedily
released there will certainly follow an
explosion which may lead to war.
Concerning the supposed plot
against the provisional government
nothing is known here beyond what
what Mr.. Collins revealed in his ca
BILE correspondence with Thos. Lyons,
secretary of the American Associa ion
for recognition of the Iqrish republic
and the Dublin correspondents refrain
from even speculating on it.
OF the suspension of troops move
ment although little more is known
here than that fact, it is believed
that it is due to the dangerous state
of affairs on the northern border of
the Free State, although some CORE
spondents refer to certain weekend
happenings in South Ireland" as
contributory cause.
1t is obvious from Mr.. Collins
statements to the reporters in Dublin
last night that he strongly dissents
from the British action in holding up
the evacuation, and will insist that
"the contract shall be carried
through" Last reports were that he
was coming to London today to seek
an explanation.
Dispatches from Ballast show that
the Ulstermen are still skeptical of
the ability of Collins and Griffith to
procure the release of the kidnapped
unionists. They regard the Free State
as in state of anarchy, and faith
in any help the imperial government
might give, is practically non-exist-
ent.
Nevertheless the British govern
ment has promised to increase the
troops in Ulster Iby four battalions,
bringing the total to IA, and to send
more if necessary, and it is assumed
that some of the forces held from en-
/ barking yesterday are destined for
the north. Premier Craig of Ulster
is said to have suggested to the Brit
ish government that the desirability
of posting troops on the south side of
the border, but this was firmly re-
fused.
All available northern police are be-
ing moved to the frontier from the
quiet areas, according to the Daily
Mails Belfast correspondent, and the
boundary will soon be lined with ten
thousand armed and disciplined men.
The difficulty of preventing "the guns
going off of themselves" under these
circumstances is emphasized by the
correspondent who says that at Petit
goe, in County Donagel, the rival
forces are separated only by width of
street, while at Belcoo, and Beleek
in County Fermanagh they are watch
ing each other from the opposite ends
of bridge.
The British government is vitality
concerned over the latest develop
ments and their possible effect on the
house of commons. Many conserva-
tives, who hitherto have supported the
governments Irish policy in the in
terests of peace are said. to be losing
faith in the prospect Of settlement,
and may withhold support of the bill
for Free State when it comes to the
second reading on Thursday.
Lord Carson plans to raise the sub
ject OF the Clones shooting and other
matters concerning Ireland In the
House, OF Lords today.
Shooting Resumed
~ 3at, Feb. I4.--(By the Associat-
If-a 1l4In -chrnff,er hrolkh <s,s& o~osx,