The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-14
COLLINS CLAIMS
Sim FEM PLOT
Free State Head Declares Rad
icaIs Plan Big Coup.
Ulster Now at Fever Heat Over
KidnapingS.
BRITISH TROOPS ARE WELCOME
New Chief Has No Troops to
Enforce Orders.
But Demands British Proceed
With Excavations.
BRITISH TROOPS ARE WELCOMI
by the Associated PressJ


London, FEB. 14.-Michael Collins
dramatic disclosure of an alleged re-
publican plot to overthrow the pro-
visionaI government, the sudden and
unexplained suspension of the British
military evacuation and the danger
Gus tension between the north and
south have combined to produce a
Serious situation in Ireland.
The outcome no one here ventures
to forecast more definitely than by
Specializing on the dreaded possibility
but dispatches show that the position
on the frontier is not far removed
from a state of war. Indeed, the
prospect of civil war is being serious
~ discussed in Belfast and elsewhere
in the north.
Ulster at Fever Heat.
The dispatches sent by Belfast cor
respondents of the London newspapers
represent the temper of the Ulstermen
as being such that unless the kid
mapped unionists are speedily released,
there will certainly follow an explo-
sion which may lead to war
Concerning the supposed plot
against the provisional government
nothing is known here beyond what
Mr. Collins revealed in his cable cor
respondence with Thomas Lyons sec
rotary Of the American association for
AFNDE lllAAOll VI the lIISIl republic ana
the Dublin correspondents refrain
from even specializing on it.
OF the suspension of troops move
ment, also, little more is known here
than the fact. but it is generally be-
lived this development is due to the
dangerous state of affairs on the
northern border of the free state.
Collins Is Displeased.
1t is obvious from Mr.. Collins state
ments to the reporters in Dublin last
night that he strongly dissents from
the British action in holding up the
evacuation, and viii insist that THE
contracts shall be carried thru" Last
reports were that he was going to
London today to seek an explanation.
On the other hand, the Dublin cor
respondent of the Times, believes the
suspension will not be unwelcomed to
the large majority of peaceable Irish
men. The northern danger. with its
threat to the whole Irish settlement is
realized acutely in the south, which
however, realizes also the great diff
eulties confronting the provisional
government" he writes. collins has
no military forces at his disposal, and
can not claim the direct allegiance
Of the Irish republican army.
Army Not Responsible.
This army Is subject to the Dali,
and. althO Arthur Griffith is presi-
army in any fashion to watch the
large republican minority in the Dali
might object The whole situation is
preposterous and every day of Tvs con-
tinuation weakens the authority and
impairs the prospects of the provis-
ional government
Dispatches from Belfast show that
the Ulstermen are still skepticat of the
ability of Collins and Griffith to pro-
cure the release of the kidnapped
untonists. They regard the free state
as i'm state of anarchy.
Neverthelesse the British govern
ment has promised to increase the
troops in Ulster by four battalions,
bringing the total to fourteen. and TO
send more if necessary. and it is as
sumed that some of the forces held
from embarking yesterday are des-
tined for the north. Premier Craig of
Ulster is said to have suggested to the
government the desira bility of post
ing troops on thu south side of the
border. but this was firmly refused.
Reinfofcements to Border.
All available northern police are be-
ing moved to the frontier from the
quiet areas, according to the Daily
Alan Belfast correspondent and the
boundary will soon be lined with ten
thousand armed and disciplined men.
The danger is not confined to the
frontier. he adds. owing to the angry
antagonism of the Sim Feiners and
Orangemen in various parts of M
ster. the results of which were evil
denced in the shooting and bombing
in Belfast yesterday.
The British government is vitality
concerned over the latest Developments
and their possible effect on the house.
Many conservatives who hitherto have
supported the governments Irish pol
icy in the interests of peace are said
TO be losing faith i'm the Drosnec+ &c
settlement, and may withhold sun
port of the bill establishing the free
state when it comes to the second
reading on Thursday Lord Carson
planned to raise the subject Of the
Clones shooting and other matters
concerning Ireland in the house of
lords today.