The New York herald., 1921-06-24
De VALERA SEIZED,
IS FREED BY BRITISH
president of Irish Republic
Taken in Raid on Kings
town Road.
ARREST SEEMS MISTAKE
High Government Officials
Order His Release-RepOrt
Is Withheld.
Special Gable to THE New York HERALD.

Special Gable to THE New York HERALD.
Copyright, 1921. BY THE NEW York HERALD.
DUBLIN, June 23.-Prof. Eamonn de
Valera, President of the Irish Repub-
lic." was arrested by British forces
last night, but to-day unconditional
freedom was given to him under spe-
cial order which came from a high
official source. De Valera was ar
rested "by mistake" He was taken
to the barracks here, but when his
identity was learned headquarters
was informed and steps toward his
release were taken Immediately. II
was authoritatively reported that "the
most hunted man in the world was
treated last night not as other prison
ers but officers food and quarters were
given to him and he ate at the mess
So far as could be learned he was not
molested in any way.
Regular soldiers of the Worcester
regiment carried out a raid on pri-
vate residence on the road to Kings
town last night and met a man of dig
nified manner, who refused to answer
questions to their satisfaction regarding
important documents found in the
house. He was a tall man with a
mustache and side boards. When he
was taken to the barracks for further
questioning he was recognized as the
Sim Tein head, although il was said
he did not look like photographs of DE
Valera.
THE NEW YORK HERALD correspondent
here was informed that the troops on
this raid were not looking for De Va
lera, but that they stumbled on him
by sheer luck, or. it might be called
i'll luck.
1t is perhaps significant of the British
Government policy that a free rein was
given to De Valera because the promo
ton of peace in Ireland Is in his hands
This seems to be indicated by the treat
ment of him by Worcester regiment
troops. who are particularly bitter
against Sim Fein because Of the shoot
ing last Sunday of one of their officers.
Lieut.. Breeze.
Lieut.. Breeze was driving with three
girls when he was fired upon and
wounded in the hip. One Of the girls
then was forced to drive the automo-
bile containing the wounded officer into
was shot to death. The girl, after
making a report of the killing. disap-
peared and has not been found. This
undoubtedly ruffled the temper of the
Worcester regiment men, but so far as
it Is possible to learn now, they did
not start out on their raid last night
after De Valera.
The news of the arrest and the SUBJ
sequent release of the Republican Pres
ident" was not made known publicly
here tonight, both sides apparently
waiting to see what the reaction will be.
No mention was made of It In the official
announcement by Dublin Castle to-day,
and Sim Fein adherents who are In
closest touch with the affairs of their
party. when asked IL there were any
new developments in the British hunt
for their leader, merely replied that the
British were pursuing the hunt with the
same vigor as always.
Apparently both sides are waiting for
an announcement to see how the matter
will be taken. Also there is evidence
of attempts to cover up" the mistake"
What effect the arrest of De Valera
will have on the peace movement 1t is
difficult to say now. For some time
there has been a suspicion here Of laxity
on the part OF high Government officials
In connection with the hunt for De
Valera. but his release to-day seems to
prove that higher Government officials,
and probably Downing Street, do not
want the Republican President jailed,
at least while there Is chance Of talk
ing settlement