New-York tribune., 1922-07-01

The defeat OF the Dublin rebels Is
believed TO foreshadow the end OF
armed resistance in South Ireland TO
Free State authority. Severe fighting
was reported from two or three locali-
ties to-day, chiefly in County Donegal,
where irregular forces attacked the
Free Staters at Buncrana and Letter
kenny with bombs. rifles and machine
guns. The republicans were quickly
surrounded and forced 70 cspitulate.
Those not killed or wounded were
taken prisoner. The provisional gov
ernmcnt troops have a tremendous
superiority in both arms and ammu-
milton and. as they hold all roads and
others means Of communication. II Is
felt that the rebels cannot hold out
long.
Mystery In Explosion
The cause Of the explosion, which oc-
curIed about noon, was not definitely
established. Ore report was that the
Free Staters had mined the building.
Another was that the large supply Of
ammunition which the rebels had ac-
cumulated had been fred by Free State
shells. There also is the possibility,
not now explorable. that the rebels
themselves, hopeless Of longer with
standing the terrific attack from all
quarters, decided 70 blow up their
stronghold because Of the toll that
would take on the attacking forces.
Even before the explosion the build
ing was largely in flames. The Free
Staters had gained a foothold in 1t
before dawn. and at that time the re-
publicans sent out emissarics asking
for terms. These were fatty refused,
and as the battle went on the republi-
cans withdrew into the rear Of the
building. Several subterranean passages
lead out Of the structure, and through
, these some Of the rebels are believed
TO have fed as the Free Staters ad-
vanced
After the explosion temporary
truce was arranged during which the
dead and wounded were removed from
the flaming building. Physicians,
nurses and stretcherbearers appeared
quickly on the scene and evacuated the
fallen. Finally. giving up all hope. the
rebels hoisted the white flag over their
rampant and an order TO cease firing
was given. The surrender was made
by Ernest O'Malley on behalf OF the
rebels and was accepted for the Free
State by General O'Daly. Rory O'Con-
nor and Liam Mellowes. leaders OF the
revolving forces, were among the pris-
oners taken. ,
l Irregular snipers in other parts OF
+ the city, unaware Of the surrender, con
tinued firing, and the Free Staters kept
pedestrians of the streets. The irregu-
| lars seized more buildings near the
/ center Of the city. and there were In
dications that they expected assistance
from the country. Snipers were most
active around Trinity College, Saekviie
/ Street and stephens Green. Several
lorries containing bandsmen Of Brit
( ish regiment bound for England were
fired on while travelling TO Queenstown,
but none was wounded.
Brigadier General O'Connell, assist
ant chief Of staff OF the Free State
forces. whose kidnapping on Tuesday
was one Of the events which deter
mined the provisional government TO
attack the rebels. has Deen releascu
and returned 70 his headquarters.
Documents in the western wing OF
! the Four Courts are believed 10 be safe.
although many records were DESTROYED
BY the explosion. Deeds and similar
records foated like snowfakes in the
sky, falling in various parts OF the city
Those picked up were OF compara-
lively unimportant character. although
some dated back about thirty years:
Crowds collected at .Grattan Bridge
whence the copper dome OF the -Four
Courts was barely visible through the
smoke. Near the Four Courts physi-
clans in white overalls attended to the
wounded, while closely guarded stood
1870 republicans, mostly wearing civil
ian clothes with trench coats. In a
very few minutes the task Of marching
them away began. leaving the Free
Statcrs free 10 fight the fire IN the
courts and the snipers in the rest OF
the city.
De Valera Reported in Battle
The capital of Ireland has been
practically isolated for the last twen.
tv-four hours. although some briei
messages have been sent out BY way
Of Belfast and government wireless.
/ (contnusd on pace thre.)