The New York herald., 1922-07-06
Bombed HANNA ms Hotel.

1
long delay the inevitable end.
Bombed Hammam ms Hotel.
The final attack by the Free State
troops commenced at midday. after u
lul during which the firing slackened
greatly. The regulars then adopted the
desperate plan Of bombing the insur-
gents out. A bomb was hurled into Ham
mans Hotel and soon faint wisps Of
smoke crept through the shattered win
dows and suddenly burst of flame in
front, followed by dense volumes of
smoke. The flames spread with incred-
ible swiftness and the fire brigade hur-
ried to the scene.
But a fusillade from the irregulars in
the Granville Hotel compelled them to
retreat The fire attacked the shops ad-
joining the Hammam and in less than
two hours the roofs had collapsed. Three
buildings were completely destroyed,
their ruin being FASTENED through the
flames reaching stores of bombs and
ammunition. causing numerous explo-
sions and throwing up great clouds of
smoke.
Still the battle RACED the irregulars
firing fusillades from the windows Of
both the Gresham and the Granville,
while the National riflemen replied Wig
orously from their positions opposite and
from armored cars.
Shortly after one o'clock an arrnored
car took up a position opposite the
Gresham and poured hurricane of
machine gun fire into the hotel windows.
Smoke belched forth. quickly followed
by muffled explosion and tongues of
flame from the windows. and within
half an hour the front Of the building
was a flaming furnace. The firemen
played water on the premises between
the Gresham and the Hammam and
saved them in part. but the fate Of the
Gresham was certain.
Garrison of Five Comes out.
Even while the lower floors of this
hotel were burning, the irregulars con-
tinued to fire from the upper windows,
but by 3 o'clock the remnant of the
garrison-five men-weary eyed and
blackened. emerged from the rear Of
the building under the white flag and
surrendered.
Other irregulars driven from place to
place by the flames took up a position
in the Granville. and from points of
vantage they directed a brisk fire
against the Nationals. Their number
appeared to be greatly reduced. But they
displayed reckless courage. On two &C.
casions one of their number appeared
fully exposed at a window and fired on
the National troops near the Nelson Pill
lar Rebels also fired from the Crown
Hotel
Fire broke out opposite in the store
next door to the Edinburg Hotel. Pres
emily white flag was seen protrudng
from the door of the Edinburg, and a
man stepped forth. holding the flag in
one hand and dress suitcase in the
other Behind him walked a curious
and pitiful procession OF between twenty
and thirty persons, mostly women, a
white haired woman Of 70 bringing up
the rear. all carrying small quantities
of luggage.
They explained that they had been
living in the Edinburg whole week,
chiefly taking refuge in the cellars, but
were forced to leave by the flames in
the adjacent store. These unfortunate
civilians were escorted to a place Of
safety by members of the Red Cross
1t is believed that capture Of the Re-
publican strongholds here will have a
great effect upon the irregulars in the
provinces. 1t was reported tonight that
the Free State forces have cleared the
towns of Rapoe, Convoy and Castle Fine
of irregulars. Until communications are
fully restored. however. little will be
known of what is taking place in the
provincial districts.
National Call to Arms.
During the past week the Free State
Government has received hundreds OF
applications from young men who are
anxious to assist in the campaign against
the irregulars. Up to the present the
operations have been conducted entirely
by regulars and volunteers who were
already enrolled in the Irish Republican
army. The statement made to-day that
the Provisional Government has decided
to issue national call to arms to-mor-
row has been welcomed by citizens who
have been seeking to enroll in its forces.
Dublin's food supplies have been we'll
maintained during the fighting and am
pie precautions in this respect have been
taken by the Government. Over the
greater part of the city life is now al
most normal. Postal deliveries have
been resumed and the banks are ex-
pected to reopen tomorrow.
Among those arrested to-day was
Donald Buckley, member of the last Dali
Eireann.