The Mankato free press., 1922-06-30

Ia1e early evacuation OF tHc
stronghold is expected, however,
as the waIer and lights have
been cut o.f.
Dublin, June 29--The battle be-
tween the republicans and the
provincial Free State forces con
tln4Ad arr liis6L ahd f3FiLk FAS
san progressing vigorously today.
Tie bombing OF the Four Courts
continued al irregular intervals
through the hours OF darkness and
morning came with the besieged
republicans still in occupation.
The list of casualties is not yet
availab BILE but is estimated at least
fifty have been killed or wounded.
Rory O'Connor band Of insurgent
Irish republican army men was still
holding out in its Four Courts
stronghold at noon today against
the continuing of the Free State
troopers TO dislodge it.
Firing During Forenoon
Firing was in progress ali the
forenoon and there vas an espec-
tally heavy burst 'at IL o'clock.
Shipping operations were almost in
ncessent with the casualties est
imated this morning at more than
So hourly increasing.
The replies from OConnors men
to the firing ON the four courts were
feeble. The garrison, which is
believed to number about $50, is
said however, to have unlimited
supplies of ammunition and plenty
of provisions.
The prospective was that the
operations at the Four Courts
would increasingly assume tAe
character of an investment. The
building lends itself preliminary
to defensive purposes, and it is
considered unlikely that the Free
State troops will at least for the
present, attempt to take it by as
sault.
The most menacing feature OF
the situation from the provincial
government standpoint is tae fact
that the insurgents are developing
activities along guerilla lines, par
ticularly in the form Of ambushes.
Many of the insurgents wear no
uniforms and the free state sol
diers like the British before tle
truce, are exposed to attack while
rtaversing narrow streets and from
their barracks.
The prevalence of these tactics
makes it seem improbable to the
government side that tle situation
throughout the city will speedily
become much better.
Direct telegraphic communication
between Dublin and the north and
west of ireland is practically at
standstill. number of wires be-
tween Dublin and London were cut
last night near Howthe.
The Irregular Irish forces have
captured seventeen troops of the
provincial government in the Do
minck Street, area according to
report late this afternoon.
In other parts of the country
the provincial government also has
military affairs on its hands. In
Drog Heda, the insurgents who are
occupying the round tower fort on
the hill commanding the town have
hen invested by the free state
troops in the same way as at the
four courts in Dublin From other
narts of Ireland there are many
rImors of insurgent action but the
renorts are difficult of confirmation
as Dublin is completely isolated.
ifieo Tves
Dublin Banks Closed
london, June 29-The banks re-
NAMED closed today in Dublin but
otherwise business continued al
though fewer people were in the
etsrts. In marked contrast to the
,umbers of the curious who wit
nessed the bombardment Of the
Eo1Ir Courts yesterday, scarcely a
sinele person was observable today
in the area surrounding OConnor's
Sretreat