The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-06-06
Troops Bombarded With
out Provocation, Z Killed
and 16 Captured.
ULSTER ACCUSES SOUTH
Officially Charges Free Staters
With Shooting at Troops
and Boats.

DUBLIN. June ASSOCIATED Press) -
Michael Collins, head of the Provisional
Government, takes most serious
view of the British Smelling of Pettigoe
in Free State territory and has de-
manded from the British authorities
full inquiry into the circumstances.
1t has been supposed that the Irish
troops at Pettigoe were irregulars, but
an official communique issued tonight
from headquarters of the irish, Re
publican army. declares that there
were no Irish troops in that district
except those of the regular Republican
army. 1t is denied in the communicate
that the British troops were at any
time fired on.
According to the statement, one Brit
ish shell was fired while the people We're
at mass and eight others without warn
ing or provocation Immediately after
ward. Seven of the Irish troops were
killed and several captured. The Brit,
ish at present occupy the hill and van
tage points for two miles on the Donegal
side, and all roads are traversed by
British armored cars.
BELFAST. June 5 ASSOCIATED Press) -
The correspondent of the Belfast Tele-
graph estimates the death list In the re-
cent fighting as thigh as thirty. The
Pettigoe District where several more
bodies have been found, is still held en-
tirely by the British soldiers. the con-
stabularly and Ulster specials being
kept in the rear.
The following official statement con-
corning the occupation of Pettigoe by
British troops was issued to-day:
"As a result of continued aggression
on the part of the so-called Free State
troops In what is known as the Pettigoe
salient, which resulted in three casual
ties to the military, during the week
end, it was decided that the Pettigoe
salient be occupied by imperial troops
The operations conducted over Sat
urday and Sunday by land and water
resulted, the salient being now in the
hands OF the military for distance of
about one mile from the frontier in or
der to secure the high ground which
covers the Great Northern Railway
going through Pettigoe.
THE operations were entirely sue
cessful, and no damage was done to
non-combatants or buildings other than
by stray bullets. One Crown soldier was
killed and seven Republicans are known
TO have been killed and sixteen taken
prisoner including a commandant.
at was found necessary. in order to
dislodge snipers in the hills to fire half
a dozen rounds of high explosive shells.
rSaturday nights operation by water
consisted of crossing Tough Erne by
two companies from Portnoe Point to
Boa Island and thence to Waterfront
House. Free State troops fired at these
boats. although they were moving in
Northern territory, thereby adding to
the provocation. Waterfront House is in
Northern territory.
1.-THE operations by boat were very
successful The man killed was driver
OF a Crossley car. taking no actual part
in the operations. He was shot dead in
Ulster territory. half a mile behind the
border line. Free State troops opened
fire on the troops advancing on both
flanks of the village, and entrance was
not made until the high ground had been
secured"