Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-16
look for Trouble at Sligo

The situation is described as very
serious by the morning newspapers.
General disappointment is expressed
that the peace conference between
representatives of the Free Staters and
republicans adjourned without any sign
Of agreement and this is comm ented on
as bad omen.
\ 1t will be surprise if Sunday passes
in Sligo without trouble. Mr. Griffith S
latest statement was that he was de-
termined to fulfill his promise to speak
there, and there seems to be every rea-
son to expect that if he attempts the
address a clash of the rival parties will
| result.
Many alarming rumors are afloat, one
being that the republicans have laid
plans to seize the heads of the pro
visional Free State government.
Courts Seizure Like 1915
The seizure Friday of the four courts
building was the biggest coup yet af-
fected by the anti-treaty party. Some
300 armed men marching in two forces,
seized the building. formerly the seat
of the national court of justice, and
J the Four Courts hotel nearby. No OPP
| position was encountered. Two or
three constables on duty were arrested
but later were liberated.
The seizure was reminiscent Of
| Easter week, 1916, when the same
buildings were besieged and similarly
| fortified.
Great alarm was caused in Dublin
when the events became known, lasting
until the explanation was vouchsafed
| by the anti-treaty men that the build
| ings had been taken because they were
more fitted for their headquarters than
the present headquarters in Rutland
square.
People Not Reassured
This explanation, however, failed to
| reassure many people who are appre-
hensive that the adjournment of Thurs
days peace conference may prove sig
nificant, especially as it is alleged that
the independents gave no guarantee
that acts of violence would be avoided.
Disavowal by the De Valera party
of Generalissimo Rory OConnor start
! ing another revolution by the seizure
Of the Four courts in Dublin fails to
alay the anxiety of the Daily Chronicle.
The newspaper editorially asks in eff
feet that if the sezing of courts and
turning them into sandbagged fortresses
50 as to prevent the country's judges
| from functioning is not revolution what
is?-"Or does O'Connor mean it is
nothing to what he will do next!'
UnreIIeved Black Outlook
The Daily News says: The out
| look is one Of almost unrelleved black
ness" and the Westminster Gazette
says it can scarcely believe Michael Col
| lins' tolerance will survive this out
rage in the capital of the country tor
whose government he is responsible.
| IF O'Connor's attitude is anywhere
misunderstood it is not his fault. as
he spoke in the plainest terms to m
| Westminter Gazette quotes MN as
saying: -
1--WE have nothing whatever to 40
with politics We are plain men VINO
stand by the republic, all prepared, to
sacrifice our lives rather than allow
the republic to be subverted. 1t pos
sibly may come to fighting, but. it II
does, the responsibility for civil war
will rest upon the shoulders or those
supporting the TREATY"
Civil war in ireland would shock
America and cost Ireland the loss OF
hosts Of sincere friends, says a message
sent by Archbishop Hayes, of New
York, to Archbishop Byrne, of Dublin,
expressing the hope for successtui
outcome of the conference between the
representatives OF CDe EIee olaIc az"
Eamonn de Valera and his followers,
which began Thursday in an endeavor
to bring about tranquility IN Ireland
John D. Ryan, of New York, has
sent the following message to Lord
Mayor O'Neill:
.The feeling is strong here that any
one who is held to be responsible for
any but peaceful methods will forfeit
the support and sympathy Of all Amer
ticans"
Belfast, April 15.-By The Associ-
ated Press) Forces Of the insurgent
faction Of the Irish republican army
are strengthening their hold on Sligo
where Arthur Griffith has announced
he will hold pretreaty meeting Sun.
day. The republicans have extended
their seizure Friday Of the postoffice
to the town hall, guild hall and bar
racks. until now they control virtually
every position Of vantage.
The office of the conservative news
paper Sligo, an independent, has beer
Communicated and armed guards sta
toned there. This position dominates
Castle and Market streets, where the
most office is situated and also com
mands Wine and Knox streets, adjoin
! ing. The streets are being patroled b,
larined purtles Of republicans.