The Washington times., 1922-08-26

IS NEAR
BIER Of
COLLINS
MuIcahy Prepares for Sunday
Attack as de Valera Musters
Irregular Forces.
BY DANIEL O'C0NNELL,
International News Service.

DUBLIN, Aug. 26.-while
hundreds of mourners were pass
ing before the bier Of Michael
Collins in the city hall a battle
between irregulars and Free State
troops broke out here today.
The attack was opened by
irregulars in the vicinity of the
city hall. Firing continued sew
.eral hours.
Free State troops in Limerick
have arrested seven irregular
leaders. One of them later was
killed while trying to escape.
Two Free State soldiers were
killed in an ambuscade near
Tralee.
De Valera Not In South.
Officials of the Irish provisional
government have formally advised
International News Service that re-
ports that De Valera, commander-in-
chief Of the irregulars, Is in County
Louth are untrue.
Severe fighting was reported from
Sligo. with the Free Staters vic.
torious.
Richard Mulcahy, successor of
Michael Collins as commander-in-
chief of the Irish Free State army,
massed troops all around Dublin to-
day to cope with demonstrations In
connection with Collins funeral and
prevent any attack upon the city by
irregulars.
All Roads Under Patrol.
All the roads leading In and out
of Dublin were under military patrol.
News was received from the south
and west that the followers of DE
Valera were cutting telephone and
telegraph wires and were burning
whole editions of newspapers to pre-
vent news of Collins death from
reaching the people in the interior.
The exact whereabouts of Eamon
de Valera, while probably known 10
the Free State military authorities,
are still a mystery to the general
public. According to one report, De
Valera has made his way into the
Carlingford mountains, where he is
attempting to rally 500 rebels who
have taken refuge there.
Less Active In Dublin.
Since the body Of Michael Collins
was brought to Dublin, the rebels
have been less active in the city. The
cabinet has been considering the
policy of sterner action toward the
irregulars. but an attitude of greater
leniency has been adopted toward
the women in the rebel ranks.
One woman who was captured
while in the act Of posting anti-Free
State propaganda sheets was quickly
released. Another woman. who was
firing upon pedestrians with a rifle,
was captured close by. The woman
sliper was released also.
Fighting continues in most of the
western and southwestern counties.
Numerous ambuscades--now the
favorite form Of rebel attack--were
reported.
Two Killed By Bombs.
Two men were killed and two 9th.
ers wounded In the accidental ex.
plosion of a bomb in the Free State
garrison at Ballymullen.
General Mckeon, blacksmith. OF
Ballinallee, Is reported to have taken
command of the regulars in County
Iouth. He was one of the closest
friends the late Michael Collins had,
and Is reported to be burning TO
avenge "Mick's'' death. He sent
word that IL De Valera is In County
Louth, he is anxious to meet him.
Large crowds continue TO file past
the bier Of Collins In the city hall.
The whole city is In mourning,
many shops have been closnd Until
after the funeral, flags are Mt half.
mast, and public demonstrations OF
grief are common.
De vaiera's whereabouts Puzsie.
LONDON, Aug. 2s.--Mystery de-
veloped today regarding the where
abouts Of Eamon de Valera, who
was reported yesterday I'm County
Louth rallying his followers for an
attempt TO seize the Irish Free
State.