The Washington herald., 1922-03-07
Trenches Cut Across
Roads Near Clones,
Halt Vehicle Traffic.
SITUATION ACUTE
ALL ALONG BORDER
Republican Detachment
Being Uniformed and
Equipped at Dublin.

DUBLIN. March 6.-The tension
Is increasing all along the Ulster
border and the situation is becom-
ing acute in the vicinity of Clones.
Recent fighting occurred here be-
tween detachments of the Irish re-
publican army and the northern
constabulary.
The forces Of the northern govern
ment have dug trenches across all
roads from Clones to the north.
stopping all vehicular traffic. Some
time ago the northerners warned a
baker supplying County Fermanagh
not to send his delivery wagons
across the border. When he per-
sisted two OF his drivers were shot
and wounded. The normal rela-
tions and exchanges between the
opposing neighbors nave ceased
along a considerable part OF the
border. Reports here state that
Catholics across the border arc
afraid to send their children to
school.
Conference mt Clones.
Eoin o'Dufry. chief of staff OF the
Irish republican army. spent all of
Sunday at Clones discussing the sit
uation with Irish officers there. A
detachment OF $50 men OF the Irish
republican army from Clones arc
being uniformed and equipped here
and will return to Clones on Tues
day.
Members Of the Irish republican
army supporting Eamonn De Valera
and the republic continues In pos
session OF the three largest hotels
in Limerick which they seized Sun
day night and. in addition. they
have occupied the Royal St. George
Hotel and vacant wing Of the
Mental Hospital. Additional forces
OF these irregular troops are ex-
pectcd to strengthen the forces de-
flying the provisional government,
The British garrison at Ilmerick
is not taking part in the situation.
The armored automobile which pa
trolled the streets Sunday has been
withdrawn and the British policy
seems to be hands OF and let the
Irish fight II out
Occupy Limerick Barracks.
A company of the Irish repub-
lican army has been sent from Dub
lin to occupy the barracks In
Limerick after Commandant Ford
of the Mid-Limerick brigade re-
fused to recognize anyone con-
nected with the Limerick govern
ment. The irreCulars arrested
Brigade Quartermaster Surley, who
was loyal to the Free State, but
they later released him.
Ean1onn De Valera spoke at Linn
erick some weeks ago, but the
Bishop of Limerick in Lenten
pastoral asked the support Of the
provisional government. Stephen
OMeara. the mayor of Limerick, is
Tor the second Irish republican loan
In the United States and had head
quarters at Chicago.
Copyright, lsaa)
LONDON. March Ga heated
scene resulting in the withdrawal
of the Ulster members from the
house of commons occurred late to-
night during the closing stages OF
the committee proceedings on the
Irish Free State bill. The Ulster
members complained bitterly that
they had been treated with the
grossest discourtesy when the gov
ernment moved closure and r. Nc
Neil declared the government had
acted like n bully.
Lord Welmer. a young Irish peer
whose mother is an Ulster woman.
backed up the Ulsterite protests
and drew a rebuke from the chair.
man by describing the debate as q
disgusting farce" England" he
declared. "is not governed by Par
Lament, but by secret Junkers IN
consort with rebels. assassins OF
other self appointed people Of
Downing Street"