The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-06-28
HEAVY
Continued from Page one.)

by loud explosion and a number of
rifle shots in quick succession and it
was evident that O'Connor's strong
hold was being attacked.
Forces Prepared
Eager preparations were made by
O'Connor's forces yesterday and last
night to strengthen their defenses in
anticipation of the attack. which their
leader boosted that he desired and did
not fear. He has held the building
since the middle of April and has
turned it into fortress by piling sand
bags lawbooks and furniture against
the windows. barring several of the
doors and guarding the remaining ap-
proaches with barbed wire.
The garrison is believed to be par
ticularly well equipped with rifles and
ammunition, while machine guns are
posted on the roof The number of
the defenders is unknown, but 1t is
said many have deserted since the
early days of the occupation.
Nevertheless, it is believed some
hundreds are still within and we'll pro-
visioned against seige.
Bombs Explode
Determination Of the provisional
government to recapture the Four
Courts is ascribed entirely to the in
surgents' act in Selling Lieut.. Gen.
! O'Connell, assistant chief of staff of
the regular forces, and not to Colon
ial Secretary ChurchilIs warning in
the house of commons.
About 700 men were engaged on the
/ government side and the rattle of ri
| file and machine gun fire was punctu-
ated by the explosions of bombs and
the occasional booming of 12-pounder
artillery.
Orange hall, taken over by the in
surgents as refuge for Belfast Cath
olics," also was attacked.
! Newspapermen were not allowed to
| approach the scenes of operations, the
surrounding streets being cordoned
with troops; consequently authentic
details were difficult to obtain.
BELFAST, June 2S.-Wireless re-
ports from Dublin at 1870 o'clock
were to the effect that the fighting
was still proceeding. Despite the
heavy firing, thousands of rounds be-
| ing discharged from rifles and ma
chine guns, it was believed there had
! been only one casualty, a member of
| the Free state FORCES.
| Dublin was isolated from Belfast so
far as telephone communication was
| concerned, Dundalk being the nearest
place possible to reach by telephone.
| 1t is understood the provisional gov
! eminent in Dublin has occupied the
! telephone exchange, replacing the
girls with men.
! Telegraphic communication with the
southern capital, however, is proceed
! ing as usual.
Buildings Closed.
| The Royal Dublin Society's build
| ings, which had been chosen by the
provisional government as the meet
| ing place for the new southern Irish
parliament next Saturday have been
tightly clcsed and the gates barred
as precaution against an attack by
the irregulars.
/ The fusillade around the four courts
was punctuated at intervals by the
sound of bursting shells, and it was
ascertained that two Is Founders were
in action. Machine guns were being
| freely used by both sides.
The entire city was awakened by
the din, even to the remote suburbs.
! Soon after five o'clock this morning
| SS6HlSQ u De d SidChSAlliS III the
| intensity of the firing, but it revived
soon afterward, and the sound of the
exploding shells made it evident that
the conflict was still in progress.
The first casualty reported was
among the provisional government
Troops. Private Long was wounded
while on duty in Chancery street.
Demand Surrender.
The arrangements for the invest
ment of the insurgents were in charge
of Gen. Ennis, the officer command
ing the Eastern division. These hav
ling been completed, message was
sent to the garrison in the Foul
Courts at $50 o'clock demanding the
surrender of the building within an
hour So far as can be learned, nc
reply was returned
Shortly after o'clock an armore6
car passed up the quay in front of the
building and is declared by the Free
Staters to have been fired upon BY
the garrison. Immediately an Il
FOUNDER mounted on the armored cal
sent shell crashing against the
masonry of the Four Courts. There
was a fierce reply with rifle fire from
within the building.
Almost Immediately a continuou!
exchange of fire between the two
forrnS uae in hot nro0ro-u