Evening star., 1922-07-02
BY HENRY ". BUM.
T HE following is brief summary OF the
most important news of the world for
the seven days ended July l.:

Irelnnd.-The murder of Sir Henry Wilson
hastened the unexpected general debate in
the commons on the Irish situation and the
Irish policy of the British government which
debate took place on Monday. The commons
fulfilled the expectations of Justice Taft and
were calm. The debate was on general lines
and the murder, though deplored and con-
demned, was not unduly emphasized. More
over, the home secretary stated that he had
no evidence that the murders had any con-
nection whatever with Ireland" There is. E-A
deed, fantastic explanation going about that
the murderers (known to be soldiers) are
pacifsts and by their manner of dealing with
Sir Henry elegantly intimated their disap-
proval of "strong-arm" methods.
The house gave the government big vote
of confidence. The debate was chiefly remark
able for warnings addressed to the Free State
Winston Churchill. Now that the elections
had shown the Irish people to be overwhelm,
that, despite itself. the provisional govern
ment had been greatly strengthened by elec-
dates (defeating Sim Fein anti-treaty candi-
dates), it was up to the provisional govern
eapaety saa to shs des
of government in projecting ii1e ana prop
erty" Winston Churchill said the same thihs ing
in brusauer language and added that the
provincial government was expected to clean
out quickly that nest OF anarchy ana trSa1 trea1
held by Rory OConnor and his "dissidents"
Gin plain language. mutineer soldiers).
X X X
The warnings had not been uttered when
already Michael Collins was taking the first
steps toward restoring the normal life of
Ireland, insuring public safety and securing
ireland for the Irish people," Rory OConnor
had gone too far. had committed one outrage
too many. Michael Collins demanded the sur
render of the -Four Courts The demand was
ignored and at 4 am. Wednesday Collins
opened fire the massive group or build
ings The chief advantage of the Free State
troops was in their possession OF some
eighteen Founders
The bombardment continued throughout
Wednesday and Thursday About s,sy am csm on
themselves) made a practicable breach and
entered the Four Courts. The defenders
fought at close quarters. About noon the
garrison detonated some ground mines OF nlgh
explosive beneath the part of the building held
among the latter but was the garrisons un-
doing, because it started fire which made
the citadel untenable. About om Rory
OConnor surrendered Internationally with
number of officers, including Liam Fellowes
The capture of Rory oConnor and the
stronghold of the Dublin "dissidents' was of
course. important. but more so in the moral
than the military sense. Probably not more
than 500 "irregulars' tas the Free State com
muniaues call them) were engaged. The
Dublin brigade of irregulars numbers about
4.0OO who Except those killed or captured at
Four Courtsl are scattered about the city
During the affair of Four Courts they carried
on a nasty warfare of ambuscade and sniping
and they have seized strong buildings During
the slow process of dislodgement they will be
making a propaganda dangerous than
bullets. Indeed. though the immediate psyche
logical effect of the Four Courts episode is to
hearten the friends of the Free State and to
relieve the great mass of the Ireland popula-
eonceivably 9ns b be Something hG different
OF the situation in South ireland outside
Dublin we have little authentc @ I3tI Information. M ton
ting down the forces of disorder in County
Donegal But for the rest of the country