Mr. Collins's forces during the week advanced a little nearer
to Cork from the north and the east. A detachment sent by sea landed at Fenit, in County Kerry, and occupied Tralee. On Tuesday other detachments were landed near Cork and at Youghal and Bantry. The barracks in Cork were set on fire. There seems to be very little fighting, according to the Free State bulletins. The so-called " irregulars " decamp after the first shell is fired. But they always contrive to do a great deal of damage before they go, looting the houses and shops, destroying water-mains and burning country mansions as if they were invading Uhlans or Cossacks. Mr. Collins has had, meanwhile, to suppress a new rising in Dublin County. Large bodies of " irregulars " tried last Saturday to block the railways and roads leading out of Dublin, while their accomplices in the city attacked the Free State sentries and patrols. The plan is said to have been foiled, but it is clear that the extreme Republicans in Dublin itself are by no means cowed. The Free State Govern- ment have begun to complain that the " irregulars " are violating the laws of war by firing on the Red Cross, using expanding bullets and the like. The " irregulars " might retort that Mr. Collins and his friends regarded all these malpractices as legitimate little more than a year ago.
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