The New York herald., 1921-05-18
MURDER IN IRELAND
HALTS PEACE MOVE
Tory Organ Would Hang De
Valera Rather Than Ne
gotiate With Him.
COLLINS SAYS WAR is ON
Irish Army Head Compares
Murders and Rnprisals to
Zeppelin Raids.
COLLINS SAYS WAR is ON

Special Gable to THE NEW roRK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921. by THE New YoEK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
London. May ~.
Although the British Prime Minister
and Eamonn de Valera, president of
the Irish Republic" as shown in the
dispatches TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.
quoting their own words, are not irrev-
ocably apart on an Irish settlement,
tho unparalleled outbreak of assassjna-
tion and arson on Saturday and sun
day has so increased the bitterness
of extremists on both sides that peace
negotiations In connection with Ire
land arc now more remote than ever.
The Morning Post. Tory organ, to-
day declared that De Valera ought to
be hanged instead of negotiated with.
The London newspapers quote CO.
piously from the dispatches to THE
NEW YORK HERALD. setting side by side
the views OF Lloyd George and De
Valera on an Irish settlement. Some
of them comment
The Chronicle. Lloyd Georges organ,
says peace in Ireland is not attainable
now.
The Morning Post says: I'VE sec it
stated that Mr.. Lloyd George offered
TO meet uncoaditionally the rebel who
styles himself President of the irish
Republic If this Is true IT would be
the lowest degradation ever reached by
British Prime Minister. De Valera
IS not even an Irishman. He is an
alien. He is called President because
of the organized massacre of owe q
hundred Sherwood foresters during
the Easter week rebellion. 1t was an
honor given more in despite of Eng
land than through love of Ireland, and.
indeed. De Valera has very little hold
upon the Irish themselves.
What good. then, can be done by
opening negotiations with De Valera?
people attach value 10 prestige and
power and despisc weakness. And It is
a sign--or is thought to be a sign--of
weakness in a Government IL ii enters
into negotiations with rebel who Is
called In derision OF British power Presi-
dent of the Irish Republic. Il is COM
monty stated that De Valera Is moving
about Ireland by permission OF the Brit
ish Government and that the Irish police
have orders not 10 arrest him II this
is true II Is weakness. folly.
THE only thing to do with De Valera
Il to catch him and try him for high
treason. and IL he Is found guilty to
carry out the sentence Of the court.
That might do some good in Ireland,
for It would prove to this misguided
people tina. the British Government was
in earnest Government, we repeat.
does not lie In words but In acts, and
the first necessity or government is law
and order
This represents. Of course. only the
extremist Tory section OF British opinion,
but ~ Is expressive OF tho difficulties
Mr.. Lloyd George would have 10 face
IN opening peace negotiations however
much he himself may be inclined 10
grant ireland the right 10. express her
own opinions about government
The Morning Post says De Valera is
dominated by "thc murder gang" headed
by Michael Collins. commander in chief
OF the Irish Republican Army. Persons
who know Collins meet him not infre-
quently In Dublin. where probably there
arc thousands who know him BY sight
and scores who sec him every day. and
yet the $50. 900 reward for this man
dead or alive remains unclaimed
certain travelling man from Lou-
don talked 10 Collins last week Collins
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Continued on Third Pare