The Washington herald., 1922-06-29

COS were still holding the Four
Courts early Thursday sfter
nearly "a hour Of fierce fight
ing.
Casualty estimates were con-
nteting. the number Of desrns
reported ranging from seven 20
twenty, with st least a score
wounded Numerous civilian.
were among the dead and in
tured.
DUBLIN. June 2s-The fate Of
the Irish treaty and irish provision
al government. and OF the present
British government are bound up
in the sudden outbreak Of renewed
open warfare which now holds
Dublin in its grasp as the Free
State forces OF Michael Collins are
hammering at the doors Of the
beautiful -Four Courts building in
effort to dislodEe the Insurgents
Late reports were that the Free
State forces had captured most OF
the buildings surrounding -Four
Courts. and had entered Fowler
Hall The insurgents were report
cd as taking refuge in the basement
OF Four Courts as the walls Of the
ediice were being knocked down
about their heads.
The battle has spread over the
whole city. and the insurgents are
firing from seven different strong
holds set up in hotels and halls in
various parts OF Dublin.
Commandsnt Barry. OF the Insult
gent forces at Cork. is on his way
here 20 help O'Connor. News Of the
hghtinC here has aroused conster-
nation in Cork, according TO advlces
received
Heavy Guns On Action.
Heavy guns are in action in the
streets. Trench mortars are throw
ms their devastating missiles
against the walls OF what has been
made a rebel stronghold Domes.
cornices and doors have crumpIsd
before the fire Of Irishmen direct
ed against other Irish.
The hchtinE. which broke out
early Wednesday and brings a re-
turn Of the sanCuinaFy days ot
1916, now sees surviving leaders Of
the forces which formerly opposed
British troops arrsyed against each
other. with British soldiers stand
ing by as onlookers.
May Precipitate Election.
Should the Free State forces be
defeated. the irregular would nearly
take complete control, and such q
result would certainly force a gem
eral election. in which the Llo,-i
George ministry would have TO tiCht
for its political life.
Up TO a late hour tonight at least
twenty persons had been killed and
many wounded in the fighting which
continued throughout the day. The
Free State forces were apparently
in complete control. despite ugly
rumors Of possible uprisings in the
rural districts.
Fighting was sporadic This was
due to hesitsncy on the part Of the
Collins men % annihilate their for
mer brothers in arms. and also a
desire to avoid destroying the val
liable official records stored in the
buildings which the Free state
troops were forced to attack The,
stubborn defense Of the -Four Courts
by the insurgents, however. Eradu-
ally brought the attack 70 a cIt-
max. During the late afternoon the
beautiful building. heretofore un-
scathed. was subjected TO a steady.
precise and shattering bombard-
ment OF 3-inch guns. The heavy
gates fell. Then cornices and the
columns OF the huge building be-
gan crumbling.
Collins Acts swiftly.
Collins acted swiftly after the
kidnapping OF. Lieut.. Gen. O'Conneu
by the rebel forces Throughout
yesterday Free State troops were
concentrated in Dublin. At mid
night the insurgents began en-
street facing the low stone walls
p2relleling the front Of the -Four
Courts building. Half an hour be-
fore dawn the Free state forces sent
an ultimatum to the rebels demand
ing that they evacuate immediately.
There was no response. Meantime,
Free State troops surrounded the
building, seizing adjacent houses
The day dawned cold and grey.
There was a drizzle Of rain. A
Free State armored car passed the
Four Courts building. and 4 rattle
Of rifle fre greeted Il. Then the
boyish Free State soldiers began
their attack. Rifles, pistols. raa-
chine guns and an occasional shot
from an s-pounder reused Dub
lin from its slumbers. II was the
beginning of the FIRST open fighting
IN NuIce years o. lhe AHlSu NAFs
Dublin was soon out of bed.
Crowds poured toward the -Four
Courts. Troops established lines
beyond which the watchers could
not pass. but despite the fact that
the fighting was kept within the
-Four Courts area there were many
casualties among the spectators
And in spite Of this. the crowds
remained.
Ambush supply Trucks-
Late In the day insurgents. clad
in civilian clothes began TO am
bush Free State supply trucks
throughout Dublin. Ambulances
were also fired on. One big truck,
loaded with Free State officers.t
was bombed and every man on
Cortinsed on Poos Toe.