The Washington herald., 1921-06-27
Deserter from British
Draft May Make
Peace Terms.
LEADS ADVOCATES
OF FULL FREEDOM
De Valera Believed to Fa-
v0r Policy of Com
promise.

Especial Gable to The Warrington Herald
LONDON. June 26-Faced by the
prospect of forced service under a
flag he hated, a London clerk five
years ago fed from the British CAPT.
tai.
He disappeared on the eve of the
day he was due to be drafted. The
name of Michael Collins was listed
as a deserter. A price was put on
his head.
Within the next few weeks that
same clerk probably will return to
London. He will return with the
power to end one of the bloodiest
struggles that ever has occurred
inside the British Empire.
Peace or War in His Hands.
Upon the Sim Fein minister OF
finance and the commander-in-c chief
Of the Irish republican army. Brit
ish statesmen admit, hangs the bal
ance of peace or continued and
bloodier warfare in Erin.
Lloyd Georges written offer to
Eamonn de Valera, Sim Fein presi-
dent. to meet him for an open dis
cussion of the Irish question spe-
cihcally mentions "anv of his coll
leagues"
This leaves the Irish chieftair
free to guarantee immunity to Col
Inns, and 1t is a practical certainty
that he will come to London If the
offer is accepted.
Has Proved Formidable Foe.
Collins has shown his motives for
deserting from the British draft.
He has proved one of the most for
midable foes Great Britain ever has
encountered. He has outwitted
some of the best military experts
of the British army.
He is considered in England to
repfesent the extremist Sinn Fein
sentiment. The prevalent opinion
in England Is that De Valera is
ready to give up Erin's demands for
absolute freedom II a proper corr
promise can be reached. Concern
ing Collins such hopes are not held
forth.
The former London postoffice clerk
has become a man With whose name
Irish patriotism is stirred to the
depths. Collins, not De Valera, to-
day is considered the inheritor OF
the traditions of the Geraldines, OF
Emmet, of Tone. and of Parnell.
Compromise May Fail.
The situation has therefor,
reached a point toward which bott
the government and the less rad.
ella Sim Fein elements have beer
working for an entire year.
There are three possibilities. De
Valera may refuse to negotiate. He
may negotiate only to arrive al
no satisfactory compromise. Or the
question may be settled on the ba.
sis of increased powers for a self.
governing Ireland-notably great
er financial power and control OF
the constitution of the Southern
senate.
The first possibility is considered
negligible. Sim Fein has always
professed itself to be waiting fol
what Lloyd George has now done
after years of hesitation. The sec
ond is more probable 1t is rem.
dered doubtful by Sim Fein's knowl.
edge that the government has been
sending thousands of troops into
Ireland during the past month and
that it is holding thousands more
in readiness.
Opens Way for Mailed Fist.
The third possibility stands. then
as the most promising of fulfillment
If, however, negotiation fails ano
military force takes it's place, Lloyd
George has at least removed al
grounds for opposition to the mail
ed fist program on the part of the
radicals.
1t is probable that Sir Hamai
Greenwood. reputed author of the
iron glove policy. viii play but a
minor part in the conference.
1t is pointed out, therefore, that
although England is the real nego-
tiator with Ireland, the men who
Will talk business are not English
men. Greenwood is Canadian
Lloyd George Is a Welshman. Craig
is Scotchc Irish; and De Valera him
self is a Spanish Irishman borr
in America.
II this latest drive for unity and
harmony succeeds, it will mean that
Tor the first time since the act OF
union in 1901, the name United
Kingdom" will justify itself.