The Washington times., 1922-08-25

in turn sprung a surprise at the end
of the session by giving out the
whole OF Document with a virulent
attack on the treaty supporters.
But De Valera overreached himself.
He had deleted certain portions of
the document; had supported his con-
tention by introducing a false instru-
ment, made by himself.
It was my pleasure to be the first
to advise Collins and Griffith OF this
action by De Valera. They read the
statement, then Griffith showed me
copy of the original Document >
and pointed out De Valera's omis.
sions. While he was doing this, Col.
lins was writing. He interrupted US
to ask Griffith to listen to what he
had written and. Griffith approving
it. Collins handed 1t to me, saying:
Cabled to America. .
do what you like with it,"
1t was being cabled to The Wash.
ington Times within a few moments.
treasure that history-making
manuscript, but more I treasure the
memories of the man who all day
long had withstood the hailstorm OF
treason calls and now answering a
lying statement that we'll might be
" utSlTOy HlS
last hope for peace and freedom let
one drop of bitterness or venom drip
into his reply.
1t seems almost beyond human ma.
ture that he should not then and
there have exposed De Valera's du-
plicity. Yet, never a word. think
he pitied De Valera for the twisted
conscience that justified such con.
duct and pitied Ireland that she had
such a champion as De Valera, but
his whole striving then was to
unite Ireland-not to fight anyone
who claimed to be her friend.
This is the message, Collins handed
to me:
TT is likely that the treaty may be
beaten, but that does not in any way
indicate that I am without hope.
Ireland is not going to be deprived
Of her right to live in her own way
no matter who tries to deny or TO
defer that right. The Irish people
have already decided that the treaty
meets with their approval as being
the practical course to adopt az the
present time.
Saw Chance for Erin.
This treaty does give us a chance
and does give Ireland a chance to
work out its own future on somH
thing like fair terms. If the treaty
is beaten I have already stated that
I, as one of the plenipotentiaries am
absolved from further responsibility.
The treaty is then dead and those
who have killed 1t have Of course the
position in their minds to follow
their policy and their policy is un-
known to me.
"A document has been produced as
an amendment but before that can
be honestly put as real amendment
the President ought to secure the
signature Of the English delegates
and secure ratification of the new
document by the English parliament.
"One important thing must not be
forgotten. II we offer this new
document as our proposal for final
| settlement it commits us morally to
finality. It puts a definite boundary
| to the march of our own nation and
that must not be done and I, as one
| Irish man, and a public representa-
| tive of this country, cannot agree to
that.
MICHAEL COLLINS"
1t was after these stirring Incl.
dents and much closer acquaintance
that Collins saw the force Of my
argument for publicity and to my
last urging that he rather write n
book himself or deputize some one
to do 1t for him. he replied to me
that he could not possibly find time
to do 1t himself and the book would
be worthless, Except II was writ
ten by somebody who was closely
associated with me in the trouble.
Gus times. really don't think it
could be done by anybody but
yourself"
Answers His Questions.
With that suggestion as my guide
II prepared a series of questions
covering as comprehensively as
could the whole story of Ireland's =
fight for freedom and after reading
them Collins sent for me and said:
| I'm going to answer every one
of your questions. What's more I'm
going To tell you things you haven't
asked about You're undertaking a
big Job and its worth while doing
liz thoroughly. I'll help you to do
just that"
Chapter 2 Of the interesting story
Of Michael Collins will appear In
tomorrow's Washington Times.