The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-26
JOY AND GLOOM
MARK SIGNING
Of IRISH PEACE
Lloyd George Worked, Chamber
lain Smiled, and Collins
Cracked Jokes.

| story of the scenes In No. 10 Downing
Street. Premier Lloyd Georges Of
cicial residence, the night the Irish
peace treaty was signed and how the
premier's personal secretary was
rushed off to Belfast, with the docu-
ment, wearing Lloyd's Georges over
coat, is here given for the first time.
With the strain over, the signing took
place amidst the greatest hilarity.
The account. as given by the Eve.
ming News. follows:
The excitement at Downing street
throughout the crisis was intense
that Is the only word.
1t left officials limp and apathetic
afterward, as II a white-hot fire had
burned them out.
But they were CHEEKY and full Of
nothing but the great campaign and
victory.
The prime minister would not give
in. He passed from group TO group
and man to man, arguing, urging. de-
Tending. He seemed to have had no
luncheon or dinner. only a snack Of
tea. standing up talking as he ate and
drank.
Mr.. Churchill, too, never lost heart.
He lowered his bull-head and drove
home brilliant point after brilliant
point with Interchangeable fortitude.
But, OF course, the climax of the
drama was the last act, when. after
the Sim Fein leaders had sent back
their answer. they returned and com.
muned till 2:3o with our ministers
The scene of the signing was men,
nr IN To nj
unnatural high spirits.
There was a hectic hilarity born Of
weary nerves and faded thoughts.
and everyone chartered and laughed.
Best of all was Mr.. Collins, the re-
doubtable man OF action and practi-
cal negotiator, whose jokes and ever
ready humor sent the prime minister
into peals Of laughter.
He was appealed to about details,
and answered so drolly that the room
shook with amusement time and
again.
But a certain shrewd observer tells
me that the time which gladdened his
heart most was when peace had been
signed and former foes were at long
last wholly friends.
The problem was to get the news
and terms in time to Ulster and To-!
the clock spoke of 2 a. m. and past!
What was to be done to get the
messenger in time tomorrow"
NO, today" said Mr.. Collins, and
everyone roared.
The Sim Feiners and Englishmen
put their heads together for common
action for the first time against the
common enemy Time and devised
means for the instant transmission of
a courier to Belfast.
The ordinary train TO Holyhead
takes. ! believe, six and one-half hours
or more, so a special one primed to do
II in five hours was ordered on the
telephone. aa
through the admiralty to DO in readi-
seas.
But who shall go? The prime
minister pointed roguishly to Mr.. Col
Inns. Mr.. Collins pointed back to the
prime minister, when their eyes fell
upon the devoted red head OF Mr..
Shakespeare, the interchangeable secre-
tary Of No. 10, who had followed
negotiations all night.
Shakespeare. you must co. said
Mr. Lloyd George.
He has no clothes for the
Journey" said some one.
He can have my overcoat," says
the Prime Minister.
And my toothbrush roars an
Irish voice somewhere.
So, otherwise without change OF
garments. Mr.. Shakespeare speeds
off in the prime minister's fur-trim-
med overcoat to brave a nonstop run
along crowded rails to Holyhead and
a rolling passage over the irish
channel.
Then somebody said what ought to
have occurred to them all:
How strange that a man named
Shakespeare should act rs intermedi-
airy between our reconciled nations!