World: NORTHERN IRELAND: EDGING TOWARD ANARCHY

THE six Ulster counties that form Northern Ireland shuddered on the edge of civil war last week. Nearly every city and town was divided into two armed camps, as fanatic Protestants and rebellious Catholics faced each other down, ready to do street battle with stones, staves and worse. Skillful saboteurs triggered three explosions that cut Belfast's water supply in half. Post offices and a bus station were set aflame by fire bombs; police stations were stoned. Ten-year-olds trotted home from school with extracurricular instructions for making Molotov cocktails. More than 1,000 British soldiers...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!