Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-03-18
IRISH WRANGLE
NOT RELIGIOUS
De VALERA SAYS
Leader, in Interview, Speaks
Bitterly Of "England's
Lack of Principle and
Craftsmanship"

DuDlltl, ddiCh 1 Wy WV ANY
ciated Press. -Eamonn de Valera,
leader of the republicans and
president of the Irish republic
gave a personal interview Wednes-
day to the Associated Press CORE
spondent. This is the first inter
view he has accorded any neWspa-
per representative since his return
from the United States to Ireland,
IF any proof of the eXtraordi-
mary precautions taken by his fol-
lowers to insure his protection
were needed, it was afforded by
the care taken in escorting the cor
respondent to and from his pres
lence. For an hour after leaving,
| the correspondent was under the
closest surveillance not only from
his escort, busas it seemed from
| everybody in Dublin.
Impressions From America.
In the conversation which lasted
| three quarters of an hour Mr.. De
Valera told of the impressions he
| had brought back from America
land remarked:
THE saddest thing there to me
was to see the Irish question treat
ed by so many people as if it were
la religious wrangle. 1t is not a
religious question, even in so far as
the differences here between the
north and south are concerned
He spoke bitterly Of the Eng
lish governments lack of principle
land craftsmanship.
I'VE Must All Die"
England" he said, lis trying to
win by playing on human weak
mess. AS a matter of fact, though
| it does not realize it, England is
lplaying not on the weakest but the
strongest quality of the irish peo-
lple--their spiritual quality. The
lyoung men of Ireland are saying
Ito themselves: AT best the span of
life is only seventy years, We must
Ian die: so why not now in circum-
stances like these? Never per
haps, as by dying in such cause
as Ireland's, could we do so much
for the world
England may try to contend
that men like those executed III
Mount Joy were murderers. she
will find it much harder than she
Iimagines to get the world to &C
cept that view
In Excellent Health.
The Irish leader is in eXcellenI
Health, but his friends in America
would hardly recognize him, for ht
lis on the run and naturally does
mot reveal himself unnecessarily
He looks extremely fit and convey
the impression of being free from
any sense of personal danger.
The volunteer who conducted th'
correspondent to Mr.. De Valera
Iresidehce said that despite the pro
tests of his friends, De Valera per
sisted in working from Z a, m, t.
III D. m. The intensity of his con
centration was shown today by tn
tfervor of his exposition of the lriSl
cause and its righteousness and hi
declaration that ireland is keeping
IaIive the flame of the high princi
pies for which the late war wa
fought.
In De VaIcPa's Presence.
Until fifteen minutes before tn
; interview took place, the CORE
) spondent had no intimation that
would be accorded. A question
nairG for submission TO the pfeSl
dent had been prepared and tn
correspondent was proceeding t
1.-THE rendezvous for that purpos
when suddenly he was invited t
: climb into the side car of motto
t cycle and don goggles whic
> blindfolded him. The car spe
l Through Dublin by an intricat
lroute and after an undetermined
| period the correspondent foun
, himself in a well furnished Twin
E. room and soon in the presence O
= De Valera.
d, Twice after leaving the house tn
/ correspondent was held up and eH
| Iamined, first by members of tn
? Irish republican army within sigh
of the presidents residence and
second, fortuitiously by the mill
tary. -