Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-26
Sim FE|N LEADER
UNCOMPROM|S|NG
Army Chief Won't Deal With
Premier, Except as Author
lied Agent Of Republic
HIS FIRST PRESS INTERVIEW

Carl w. Alderman. In the following
dispatch reprinted from totlay's Pub.
Tic Ledger. reports the first interview
ever granted by Michael Collins,
leader OF the Irish republican army.
For more than two years the British
Government has searched for Collins.
Today every policeman and officer In
ireland carries MS photograph and
description and has orders to arrest
him mt sight on the general charge
Of directing assassinations and raids
on COVE nment ofhees. Copyright.
1920. by Public Ledger Co.
Dublin. Aug. 26.-Prcmer Lloyd
George ~aid in Parliament he would
discuss peace with Ireland IL hc could
get into touch with the Sim Fein
leaders "who can deliver the goods. 4"
Yesterday had an exclusive and au
thorized interview with Michael Collins.
leader Of the ''mcn who can deliver
the goods" He stated emphatically
that "there will be no compromise and
no negotiations on the terms laid down
by Mr.. Lloyd George. There will be
no COMPROMISE and We will have no
negotiations with an. British Govern
ment. except ms authorized representa-
tives of the Irish Government. "
When told Mr.. Collins of the great
power attributed to him bv the British
authorities. he merely said
II do not agree with their opinion
Of me. AS matter of fact. individuals
as leaders are of very little inheritance
IN our movement. 1t is unlike other
movements, because in ireland il is the
bulk Of the people who have decided.
1reland's welfare is matter for all
the people to know exactly what they
want and how they propose to get it,
IL Is they who have decided and they
who act. Neither | nor any other man
II as powerful as your British friends
say I am"
There Will BE No Compromise
For I50 years Ireland has fought
for her freedom and independence. ac-
cepted compromises and always has
been defeated and disappointed, be
added. This time we are not going to
yield until we establish our claims to
recognition throughout TIE world. Ire
land today has an existing government.
We have our cabinet. our parliament,
our treasury, our army, our consular
service and our courts. and this year
we shall begin to collect income taxes
that have hitherto been paid to the
British Government. Details have al
ready been worked out and are to be
put before the country in due course.
One half of the Income taxes of Ire
land will be paid to our government in
a year or two. Last year we asked for
loan of f250.000 from the Irish
people for our treasury. We raised
f4OO,OO OF this sum. we loet only
EDO, which was taken by the British
authorities from one of our collectors.
Expects to See Ireland Free
"a government which is carrying on as
the Irish Republic is today cannot talk
eompromise," Mr.. Collins continued
I've may not see the realization of Ire .
land as a free nation, but our children
will" And then he added with a smile
land ! think we will too Meanwhile
We are busy establishing the machinery
necessary to our existence and the
smooth running of a modern state.
ave are described as revolutionary
The Irish republican army is called n