The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-02-06
IRISH RECRUITING
ARMY STEADILY,
COLONEL INSISTS
Ample Funds From Amer
lea Keep Guerrillas Well
Fed and Clothed.
METHODS EXPLAINED
Army Units Dot Entire
Country, Chiefly of For
mler Soldiers.
COMPANIES NUMBER 100.
Each Unit Self-Contained and
Has Signallers and
Engineers.
EXPLAINED
COMPANIES NUMBER 100

DUBLIN, Feb. 5.-A high officer of
the Irish Republican army has given
to the Associated Press a lengthy
statement on the army and its opera
TONS This is the first authorized
statement thus made public, but the
identity of the officer and the circum-
stances of the interview cannot be dis
closed, nor is the correspondent per-
mitted to publish the statistical infor-
nation supplied regarding the total
number Of forces, both regular and
irregular" as the flying columns COM
posed of men on the run are termed.
The officer who will be designated in
the interview as Col. X" spoke freely,
answering unhesitatingly every ques-
ton propounded, but he enjoined non
publication of various statements,
which, he said, might give informa-
ton to the enemy"
Morale Unfmpaired.
He emphatically denied the recent
declaration Of MajorAGen. Strickland
in command of the British troops, that
the Irish Republican Army organiza-
ton was dismembered, and he repudi-
ated the suggestion that the remark
able activity in the last fortnight was
demonstration TO dsprove the asser-
lions that the morale of the Volunteers
was impaired.
THE recent increase in the number
OF attacks on the Crown forces" said
Col. Y, was only natural develop
ment due to the perfecting Of our or
ganization. From now on there will be
further extension and intensification
Of our operations in all parts Of the
country"
He lntimated that the Republican
Army would soon begin the issuance Of
military communique, probably week
~. and added: Our system of COM
muncation is not yet very rapid, but
it Is certain"
He smiled at a reference called to his
attention that Michael Collins was head
Of the Republican Army. saying: That
ir delusiop persisted in not only by the
public but by the British Government
lac did not say whether the direction Of
tne Republican Army was In the hands
of one man or a committee There Is
q large reward outstanding for the
arrest Of Collins.
Dots Entire Country.
Col. X began: 1.-THE Irish Republican
Army dots the entire country. Our
plan Is to account for every district
either BIZ battalions or companies. Every
foot of ground is being surveyed and
studied with reference to the most prom
ising spots for anbushcs and with re-
gard to the dispositions Of the Crown
forces The size of our forces varies
according to the nature of the country
and the number and character OF the
inhabitants County Meath, for instance.
is sparseIy inhabited. and the terrain Is
fiat making conditions for fighting un-
favorable.
I'VE are slowly but steadily carry
ing out our plans. 1t should be under
stood, however, that we must organize
and train men for the work while we
are engaged In fighting."
The unit of the organization, accord
ing to the officer. Is the company. whose
full strength normally Is 100 men. each
company being tactically self-con-
tanned and furnishing It's own signal
iers. engineers and machine guns.
THE tendency, though" he continued.
.is to operate In smaller units in areas
like Ulster. where certain districts are
either too thlnly peopled or the popula-
ton Is hostile. We have only small
groups engaged in reconnaissance and
intelligence work. In some areas where
conditions are wholly favorable. the
companies are formed into battalions
and brigades. This is our regular army.
The men on the run arc somewhat SINH
larly organized. but in small units. They
work in conjunction with the regulars
and are kept well armed. clothed and
equipped. But the vast bulk OF our men
are not on the run. they are available
for operations In the daytime. others at
night"
Directing the Attacks.
Questioned regarding who directed the
attacks, Col. X replied: "If IL be an
attack on barracks, or other major
operation requiring large number OF
men. the officers In the district must
satisfy us at headquarters that II won't
mean throwing away men or ammuni-
ton. In small operations. however. such
as an attack on one or two lorres. or the
seizure Of military supplies on trains or
roads or raids on mails. the men act
on their own initiative. Col X asserted
that the organization was growing
rapidly and 1t was easy to obtain re-
cruIts.
"of course" he explained. I'VE do not
take every applicant. In order TO join
man must have good standing. This
is easy to determine In the country. In
the cities he must be vouchcd for. a
good proportion of the Republican Army
is composed of ex-soldiers, OF whom
only the best are taken. They are par
ticularly useful In machine gun work.
No pay In given 10 any OF the MEM
bers OF the organization except TO IN
structors. Martial law has thus far not
affected the operations Of the Republi-
can Army. said Col. y. Since martial
law has been proclaimed In the south
the comma N Sers of ALL brigades and dis