The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-03-01
| HOW SINN FEM
LEADER ESCAPED
C'Ceal|igh Reveals Details in
Paris While London Still
SpeCuIateS on Mystery.
THROUGH SONGS IN GAELIC
De Valera Within Prison Ad-
vised of Comrades Plot
for His Flight.

Gu1lS, MaIcn Ia. y - N'h'N
English newspapers are still specu-
lating over the mysterious escape
from Lincoln prison. in England, OF
Edward de Valera, the Sim Fein
leader, the manner in which he ef-
fected his break from captivity Feb
3, has become known here. 1t was re-
lated to the Associated Press by
Sean O'Cealligh, here asking the
peace conference to recognize the
provisional government of the Irish
republic"
After the midnight arrest of Ed
ward de Valera, near his home in
Greystone," Mr.. OCealligh began;
'he, with twelve comrades, was sent
to Lincoln prison.
"The feeling In Ireland was Intense
because these men, against whom no
charges had been preferred, should
be kept in prison. A committee was
appointed to take charge of the ques-
ton of their release. The first result
of that committees activity was the
escape of De Valera.
"The committee selected a number
OF men for the job. The first task
was to survey the prison and dis
cover the possibilities of forceful
group. just outside the back gate
was small patch of ground on which
the prisoners were allowed to eNer-
else under guard.
Armed Wardens ON Guard.
This place was surrounded by
barbed wire entangemcnts, Several
armed wardens. watched the prisoners
while they were out, and at sunset
force of military was about the
prison.
"The next move was to cCmmuri-
cate with De Valera. One Sim Feiner
started working on garden plot near
the prison. He attracted De Valera $
attention one day by singing Sim
Fein songs in Gaelic, in which he told
the leader an attempt would be made
to rescue him. The warden's suspl-
cions ewre not aroused.
This man appeared again several
days later and again sang ballad IN
which he told de Valera the rear
exit of the prison was the most
feasible for the attempt and asking
De Valera to secure an impression of
the key to the gate.
impression Of Key.
"The impression of the key was
secured. This impression was
wrapped in paper with a stone and
thrown to the singer IN the garden
plot.
while this was going on four Sinn
Feincrs escaped from the usk prison
in Wales. causing the authorities TO
double the guards Of all the jails and
postponed the release to De Valera.
"The sentries about the rear OF the
prison were aN grave menace to the
plans, and the committee tried to
find girls in the neighpornood VINO
could be employed to influence them.
Finally a telegram was sent to Dublin
for two handsome young WOMEN, both
highly cultured university graduates,
who arrayed themselves as shop girls
and crossed the channel.
"The girls deliberately set out to
sirt with the soldiers ana soon came
to know most of the guards. De
Valera was informed by code in
letter that Feb. was set for his
escape.
"On the eve Of Feb. 3 four motor
cars packed with Trishmen were sent
out as decoys for the police. AT
o'clock the prisoners were brought in
from tllelr peIlOu OF tAtitlnc' III '''
dusk. shortly after the girls appeared
and enticed the guards from the rear
of the prison as far as possible, then
two Sim Feiners quickly cut pain
the barhed wire.
AT ) o'clock De Valera, with NC
Garry and Millroy. the two Sim
Feincrs who escaped with De Valera
sauntered to the back gate. Their
friends outside crept up and opened
the gate with the false key while
the sentrics continued their Irritation
with the girls. An automobile was
waiting and De Valera was whisked
away to London, while the police
chased the decoy motors.
where is De Valera now ] cannot
state, but he will be here on time
when he is wanted