Imperial Valley press., 1922-06-28
IRISH BATTLE
IN DUBLIN
STREETS
Free State Troops Attack
Rebels Under Heavy
Gun Fire
CIVIL WAR DECLARED
Collins Captures Leaders
of Insurgents in Day
of BlOOdshed
United Press Leased Wire

DUBLIN, June 2S.-Irish republican
insurgents were driven from parts of
the Four Courts this afternoon by Free
State troops who stormed the rebel
stronghold under cover of heavy ar
tillery fire.
The insurgents under Rory O'Con-
nor were reported clinging desperate
ly to positions in the rear of the law
courts buildings.
The rebels tore up paving blocks
and built barricades behind which they
repulsed wave and wave Of attack by
Free State troops.
An nncOnfirmed report spread that
the insurgent commander, O'Connor
had been wounded. Casualties were
said to be heavy Gil both sides.
Machine Guns Attack
Fourteen Free Staters were taken to
hospitals where two died of wounds
The rebel casualties could not be
estimated.
Free State troops pushed their at
tack against the rebel stronghold with
machine guns, Is Founders, bombs and
hand grenades. Snipers from roofs OF
the Four Courts replied to this fire.
Trench mortars of the Free State
troops completely demolished the cop
per dome of the Four Courts, the pala-
tial structure chosen by the insurgents
rs their headquarters.
High explosive shells from Free
State artillery sent walls and roofs of
the massive buildings crumbling about
the heads of the defenders. The gates
of the -Four Courts were blown off
Huge sections of the structures crash
ed beneath shocks of heavy shell fire
The great copper dome fell in.
Late this afternoon, % Founders
were battering at the rebel defenses
in the great Court buildings, firing at
almost point blank range.
Fight in Burning Building
The insurgents defense was stub
born. Rebel troops, forced from strong
holds in Fowler hall, when that build
ing was burned down, captured two
hotels in lower Gardiner street. They
hastily barricaded doors and windows
creating another danger zone in the
heart of the city.
Insurgents were driven from several
blocks in Dublin which they had seiZ
ed in an attempt to divert attention
from the attack ON the Four Courts.
The deahlist at 4:30 p. m. was esti'
mated at 10.
Fire broke out in Fowler hall this
afternoon. Despite the flames, the reb
els continued fierce defense of the
building. Both the soldiers for the
Free State and the insurgents prepared
feverishly all night for the battle of
Four Courts.
Collins Declares War
The action of Collins in cleaning uT
Dublin came following notice served on
the head of the provisional Irish gov
ernment by Lloyd George that British
troops would occupy Ireland if insur
gents were not curbed
Collins Immediately called a meeting
of his cabinet and issued an ultimatun
that lawlessness in Ireland must cease
His first step was to arrest Com
mandant Henderson who was garrison
ed in Four Courts. Henderson was tax
en- without resistance yesterday. The
insurgents then captured Lieutenant
General O'Connor, assistant chief OF
staff of the Free State army and are
now holding him rs hostage.
British troops, quartered in Dublin
took no part in the fighting but were
held in readiness to assist the Free
State troops of Collins, should he cal
for them.
A British light cruiser and severa
destroyers cruised about off Dublin
and Cork, ready if needed.
Late this afternoon Free State ar
tillery opened fire on Four Courts
with field guns. A huge quantity OF
gelignite was known to be stored IL
the rebels stronghold and disastrous
explosion was feared.
"We will fight to the end for the
republic Rory O'Connor, rebel lead
er, said in comminque issued from
the Four Courts as the battle continued
touioht