Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1920-12-29
some MYSTERY
ABOUT VALERA
His Failure to Come Out of
SecluSion Mysti6eS Even
His Secretary
NOT SEEN IN u. S.
SINCE DEC. 10

NEW YORK, Dec 29-Eamonn he
Valera has not been seen since De-
cember 80 by any OF the rank and
file OF his followers, who have been
told by Harry Boland. his secretary,
mat he is near here, resting" He
had not been seen by reporters for at
least a week before December 10,
which was the day the president Of
the Irish republic" checked out Of
the Waldorf-Astoria.
Even Frank p. Walsh. who is sup
posed 70 be very close to DE Valera,
had to confess two weeks ago that he
had not seen him for two weeks and
mat ne had some papers TO go over
With him
Bolands attitude OF making a mys-
terry OF his chiefs Whereabouts has
caused rumors in the Irish Organiza-
lions. Although stoutly denying any
such motive, he has concealed De
Nalera's whereabouts and each day
adds TO the curiosity as 10 what 10 all
means, If 10 means anything
4 reporter made the rounds during
The last two days Of sources OF ru-
m0rs and opinions on Irish matters,
and from all these gathered two Opin-
ions.
Tic first is that De Valera is Sc
cluded near the city, where he Is re-
ceiNing communication from the Irish
Parliament and preparing for some
move looking TO a settlement. The
second Is that De Valera is on Irish
soil, summoned bv the Irish parlia-
ment To prevent a split in the rank,
at home, due 10 the evident fact that
the higher prclates in ireland have got
a frmer hold on the Sim Fem move
ment than they have had for two or
three years This opinion comes from
TWO sources and Is both preiudiced
and the opposite.
One source is members Of the
Friends Of Irish Freedom. the Cola
ian-DevOy organization. which was re-
pudiated by De Valera and the Irish
Parliament. and recently has demand
ed that he give up some OF the mil
lions raised in this country for the
immediate relief Of Irish sufferers
They have also demanded that ne gel
out OF the country. The other source
Is members Of De Nalera's loyal fol
lowers. Neither is official.
only one thing is certain-thdi
neither the rank and lnle Of his fol
lowers nor some OF those supposed
10 be very close to him have seen hin
, face TO face since December TO-. some
time ago Mr. Boland told reporter.
ne Valera would be In the city after
1 Christmas 20 resume his reorganiza-
ton campaign which was I'm ful
swing mp 10 the time Mrs. MacSwine,
came here. De Valera was kept Il
his rooms during that period by a Sc.
we're cold and was frequently seen b,
reporters. But as soon as he checked
out OF the WaldOrf-AstOr.a. which
was shortly after Mrs. MacSwiney
went 10 Washington De Valera
Whereabouts was made a mystery o.
by the very attitude OF officials abOu
him.
Frank p Walsh, his personal coun
sci, is in Washington. At his office il
this city IL was said yesterday that M
would be back today and without
doubt would put an end Do the mysti
icati0n Of De Valera. Before he wen
10 Washington Mr. Walsh told a re
fpOrier that ne had not seen De Naler
in person for two weeks. that he die
not know where he was at that time
that he doubted rumOrs Of his beinl
on the way TO Ireland, though tina
was quite possible, and that M
4 thought De Nalena might want TO q
over some papers with him befOr
taking such a step.
Mr.. Walsh promised 90 have th
To newspapers definitely informed OF hi
whereabouts, though not necessaril
for the purpose OF Interviewing ID
Valera. II he were in need of rest,
was Judged right that he should no
be disturbed. but Mr. Walsh did agre
4 that there was no practical good il
making "a mystery OF bic matter il d
Valera were In the country as %
b thought ne was, though having moth
ing definite on which 10 base hi
opinions
BOland when asked where his chic
is, invariably replies that hes al
right, not far away from here" etc
but for some reason known 10 him
self. refuses 10 divulge his dwellin
place or let any one look into IN
face OF his chief. His attitude is a
the more mystfying even 10 follow
ers Of De Valera because they profes
10 see no practical advantage 10 an
one in making a secret OF de Valera
Whereabouts
B0land was 10 have been az IN
WOlcOu last night but did not arriv
there. lie was in Worcester Sunda
and left there yesterday afternoon
telling reporters that he was on IN
way 10 see De Valera in New York.