The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-07-30
TWO COLONIES
 AND MEN KILLED
 BY |RREGULARS
Free State Troop Report Ex- aggerated-With Aid From British They Caused Some
 EvaCuations
By Associated Press

Dublin, July 2D.--Tyvo coione1s
 and five soldiers of the govern
 ment forces were killed and sev-
 en others wounded near Mary
 boro last night by irregulars. The
 .coloneis met death during sn
 ambush by the irreguIars, while
 the other Free State troops were
 killed when armored car in which
 they vera proceeding to remove
 n mine was blown up.
 The Irish republican forces still are holding the south of Ireland solidly the capture of Waterford and Limerick by the Free State troops not having affected the strength of the defensive lines, 1t was declared in message from republican head quarters in Cork sent on July 2S to the editor of the Irish World here. The message, signed by Sean Ua Tuama (John Toomey), chairman of the press committee of sent by direc- ton of Liam Lynch, republican chief of staff.
 Reports Discounted
 The military situation has not materially altered since the last mes- sage fJuly 20). The bombastic re- ports sent by the Free State authori- ties should be largely discounted in she United States. Fresh supplies Of British artillery and armored cars have enabled the Free State forces tc cause the evacuation of some towns on the main routes, but the republican garrisons occupying these towns automa tically form mobile columns and carry on guerilla war fare in front and rear of the Free State army, cutting and harassing communications Tn this type of war fare the Free state army is alto getaer outmatched by the repub- licans.
 The solid south. viz: Cork. Kerry. Waterford. West Limerick and South Tipperary. Is still Intact and unaf- fected by the loss, through artillery bombardment of Waterford and Linn e-ick, the cities at either extreme of the southern frontier. Both Wa tcrford and Limerick were skill fully evacuated under a devastating rain of shells from Churchiil's guns.
 No Free State progress resulted from the evacuation of these two cities.
 Tn the west of Ireland republican control continues to predominate, tho only inpof tant feature since the last message being the Free State artii- lery advance into Mayo and North Galway. taking towns on the main line. The republican garrisons which held these towns have now formed flying columns.
 Tn the midiands and east condi- tions are fundamentally similar to those in the west The towns are under control of Free State forces. but guerilla operations continue in the county districts. In Dub lin city the republicans have resumed active attacks as in the former war against the British.
 Tn Rathmines the telephone ex- change was captured with its garri- son and arms. 50 that there is a com gtant leakage of information from Free State headquarters. The Free State army men are refusing to fight and ex-British soldiers are being re- cruited in their stead. Part of tho Mount Joy troops mutinied. refusing to fire on republican prisoners. Other mutinous Free State troops arc con fined in Mullingsar and Wellington barracks.
 Three hundred men deserted at the Curragh and 10 officers signed a statement saying they were misled into joining the Free State army.
 "Commandant General Aiken's let tor from prison reveals the truth about the supposed capture of 200 re- publicans at Dundalk on July l6. The troops captured were neutral troops. General Aiken was negotiat- ing with Mulcahy for withdrawal when by gross treschery the bar racks were surrounded and Aiken and his men were made prisoners and treated as criminals.