The New York herald., 1922-06-29
Free State Troops in
Streets and Nearby
Buildings Keep ~
Up Fighting.
IL
USE FIELD AR1'ILLERYT
Machine Guns, ylortars and
Rifles Also Employed
by Besiegers.
MANY CIVILIANS ARE HIT,
Irregulars, Driven From Hall.
Flee to Hotel and
Fortify 1t.
MANY CIVILIANS ARE HIT
view York Herald Bureau,
Dublin. June 20 (Thursday).
Special Gable 10 THE NEw YORK HERALD
Copyright, fsf7- By THE NEW YORK HERALD.

Special Gable 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD
Copyright, 1884, by THE NEW YoRK HEpLp.
! New York Herald Bureau,
! Dublin. June 20 Thursday.
Civil war in Ireland. which broke
out at dawn yesterday morning, was
still raging at midnight. with the situ-
alton not favoring either the Repub-
licans. who hold the Four Courts. or
the Free State troops, who are be-
sieging them there because the pro-
visional Government decided to assert
its authority after it had been openly
CHALLENGED by Rory O'Connor, leader
Of the irregulars.
The knc D casualties, are eight dead
and more an a score wounded. ex-
elusive of the losses of the rebels in
the Four Courts, which, one of the
handsomest buildings in Dublin, is
practically ruined. The rebels under
OConnor are doggedly withstanding
the siege. and there is promiscuous
firing along the banks of the Liffey.
opposite. and sniping in the streets in
other quarters of the city. The Free
State forces surround the Four
Courts and are expected to launch a
big attack at dawn.
The Free State forces have many
emplacements OF field pieces and ma.
chine guns. most of which ceased
firing early this morning, but sniping
is still active.
No Panic in City.
| Dublin is in the throes of the ut
most excitement, but the people are
disciplined to shot and shell. There
is no sign of panic or symptom of
terrorism. and most persons have
gone to bed. Probably the majority
have fallen asleep by this time, but
their attitude is such that they feel
that this strange battle which has
| broken out in their civilized COM
munity WILL in few hours, determine
the whole future of their beloved
country.
All day they have listened to the roar
OF field pieces and mortars. and the
crackle of rifles and machine guns. They
have been curious. even bold, as they
lodged in and out of the fighting zone.
spurred on by Irish curiosity But they
have no doubts of the seriousness OF
the crisis. and they accept 1t as a battle
for and against the Free State treaty
and the supremacy OF the Provisional
| Government under Michael Collins and
Arthur Griffith.
Dublin. in all its history OF violence
and bloodshed. had never seen a day
like yesterday. Six years ago the
Easter rebellion was started when
British guns rained shells upon the
city; but these are Irish guns fired by
Irishmen and directed against Irishmen.
And II is a fight TO the finish between
Collins and o'Connor, tragic and pitt
full, but they are determined to stand
oi fall by their principles.
Building Much Damaged.
The Free Staters. during the eighteen
hour siege, have shown remarkable re-
straint. in avoiding any unnecessary
damage. and as result their fire has
been concentrated In a comparatively
small area. The Four Courts building
IS doomed. the gates and main entrance
is blown down. and great breach is
torn In the wall OF che main building.
The green dome has been punctured
and has partly fallen in. and II ap-
pears that the entire edifice is ruined.
But the insurgents are concealing them
selves in the basement, firing from
points Of vantage with machine guns.
At midnight they showed no inclina-
tion TO surrender. According to reports
leaking out. they have suffered only
few minor casualties. They are pre-
pared to battle until death for the
principle OF a republic or nothing for
Ireland. With them are Father Domi-
nick and Father Albert both long ,asso-
ciated with the extremists
Fowler Masonic Hall. the secondary
evacuated and ignited by the rebels.
but saved by the regulars. Tonight
the regulars seem 10 be strengthening
their position. Avowedly, they do not
wish to kill anybody. but they insist
upon unconditional surrender.
Their plans are TO impress the rebels
into surrender by cutting off food. water
and supplies. Thus far less than 1000
Free State soldiers have been engaged.
but strong reserves in the city and the
neighborhood are awaiting orders TO
come with aid II the urgency arrives.
In the ranks there is every indication OF
ioyalist morale.
II is estimated that 400 rebels are
holding off in strongly defended posi-
tions with supply OF ammunition which
will last some days. IL Is, therefore not
Anticipated that the battle will end for
many hours, but among the civilians the
issue is not doubted
Collins AZ laet has cast the die, and
staked his entire military and political