Evening journal., 1919-03-12
by RALPH r. COUCH
a. press stan Correspondent.

termination OF lftldnu.
Edward De Valera, fugitive President
! Of the revolutionary sim Fem party |
made this prediction 10 me two hours
ago at a secret midnight interview.
"This means something Ike con-
tlnued revolution until lreland's riehis
are recognized" he said. HIS black
eyes flashed when he said y, his DIG
Jaw squared. lie spoke quietly. Never
theless he was emphatic.
De Valera, American born, son OF an
Irish mother and Spanish iather' IS the
soul Of the Irish revolutionary move
ment. British secret police have been
hunting him ever since his romantic
escape eleven days ago from Lincoln
iall on the east coast Of England. ]
am told that only i've persons in the
United Kingdom knew he was hiding
within a few miles OF Dublin. Not far
from where we met there were thous-
ands OF English soldiers. Dublin swarms
with them, as does all ireland. These
troops, tinhatted. fully equipped and
armed, guard every public building and
all bridges, docks and railroad stations.
Their presence has created a tense feel
ing. Many continually fear classes be-
tween soldiers and civilians.
"De Valera Is risking his liberty IN
, permitting this interview" said the
Sim Feiner who arranged II. "But the
chief is willing 10 take the chance IN
the hope that he will be able TO SET
across 20 the American people a mes.
sage from the Irish republican gov
ernment"
De Valera quoted from President VIII
sons fourteen points 20 prove that Ire
land has a right 10 self determination.
No revolutionary action Will be un-
= dertaken in ireland until the peace con-
ference shows conclusively that self
z determination will not be granted. he
u said.
: I'VE hope TO avoid violence" he de-
s clared. 1T means bloodshed, deaths,
J. courts marital and perhaps executions.
y But II we have 10 flght again TO gain
ID our rights, II that is forced on US, we
al shall not hesitate. ireland must have
y complete independence.
e ITS a big Job we've undertaken
l. Gaining complete independence for Ire
II land. In the message I'm TO write for
N YOU I'll try to give the American peo--
y ple the reasons why we feel we musi
y have Il.
4 Were going 70 win. think every
le man in ireland will be Willing 10 back
rs In our demands when we make
20 them. Meanwhile, we have our gov
ernment completely orranized. Wo car
81 take over the administration OF oul
ls country at a moments notice. Tnat
% what the Irish republican government
y was organized for"
n Sim Feln leaders said today that b!
st the time this Is in print in Am'ricl
ry ne Valera will be on a ship bound 10
IN the United States. They plan 70 SINUS
IN gle him out OF Ireland Meanwhile .
ast fits about from hiding place 70 hic
ing place at nisht TO elude the Brlus
1T AGENTS and directs the work OF the sin
he FeIn government. Elaborate preca'
he tions were taken before / was pc
lat mltted 10 see this former professor
old mathematics who was condemned
,ir. death for leading the lighting durii
'ch the Easter rebellion.
ear was. told 10 be waiting at P. NJ.
sed fhe side entrance OF my hotel. IN
tn entrance is in a dark, narrow st-ei
rus precisely. al the hour fixed, closed
lhs fomobile halted at the curb. LeaNii
he the motor running. the chauffeur a
ct proached and whispered my name.
IN. eot In hurriedly The inside OF the N
Iss chine was luxurlously upholstered.
ac- a corner OF the seat was young IRIS
,u- man who was 10 be the guide nc W
one Of the seventy-three oinn'te elhe
ere 'including De Valera, who were elee
mn. ed members OF the BRUSH house
ssn Commons. al the December eiectloI
y, IN his knees he held a thick, nea'
80 80 cane-almost a club. He apoloelIe
"a. then searched me for weapons.
aue "yVe've a two hour drive ahead OF u'
-, no ssld as The automobile moved aw
y ~ - from the hotel. In a few minutes
LOT LOT we're out OF Dublin, turning ana twls
10 ing over country until all sense OF
we rection was lost. We arrived eventua
Ieu in ,he outskirts Of a sleeping ViHal
ur- Thsrs we walked up and down WI
Itl ~ ihe frishman frequently peered al
eri- watch. ,r. 8, q,
~. without llghts-drew up MY gu
Ino ierked nv cap down over my nose
could see nothing, then pushed
~ into This car. For half an hour
ale drove al a rate that seemed very va Ia
sl- We rot out and seused a garase ~
- - 7 was lead across what seemed 70 ~
I.,,- tle courivard. My guard kept urs
'i'i sneed A door slammed ana tet
80, ,gsrn air OF a house. Up a carpe
soS 5.ot stair and through door we went II
3us Now YOU can take the bana'
ing % from your eyes" .,, o.
ms l was surprised 70 tnd nyseH ~
bir room. richly furnished u ulsl 81
snv with thick velvet carpets ana N
velvet curtains, tightly drawn o
I'd windows. A grand piano was IN
R-fors the fireplace. warming
the hands. was a tall man IN pst
OBJ black suit, with black SIX hshos
ices, chief around his throat. instead o.
wit collar. He wore ruhber-soled slpp'
rms, This was De Valera.
,om- He smiled broadly, shook hands s"
" and turned 10 whisper some
'loye rsctions 10 the guide. Then he TAN
ould A maid in trim uniform appeared "
men a tray and silver tea service. betw
the Sins De Valera discussed the chances
.ther a successful revolution against zoo
part soldiers. who he said are occupy
Ireland"
A half hour later was again spt
ing toward Dublin, the cap over
ning, nose. De Valera, was told. VIC
uar- soon be hurrying in another direct
seph De Valers's full statemtnt TO
! es' American people was written by
le by after Couch had left the house. II
Mr.. taken into Dublin by Sim Fein m
real her OF parliament, and handed
Couch at his ho,el. II will be pril
in The Evening Journal tomorrow.