The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-30
BRITISH MOVE OUT
Evacuation of Dublin Garrison
Begins This Week.
Means Loss of Much Trade for
Some Irish Towns.
Sim FEM FIGHTS CRIMINALS
New Curfew Law Rigidly En-
forced by Republicans.
Ulster Agreement Being Used
Against Michael Collins.
SIM FEIN FIGHTS CRIMINALS

Dublin, Jan. 30.-British evacuation
Of Ireland is proceeding more speed
lily than was anticipated. Each day
sees a large match of troops leave
Dublin and other ports. Departure Of
the Dublin garrison is due to begin
this week and the newspapers are
specializing as to how the vacated bar
racks will be used.
1t is suggested they may be en-
ployed to relieve the housing shortage.
Five large barra cks will be available
in Dublin. and 1t is argued that at a
comparatively small expenditure ehey
may be converted into wOrkmen's
dwellings. Turnout Ireland similar
buildings are falling under control OF
the new Irish government and some
may be needed for the new Irish army,
altho nothing has yet been decided in
regard to the size of that body.
Means Loss to Irish.
1t is taken for granted that it will
be established promptly and green
uniforms are being manufactured in
Dublin on a large scale. 1t is note
worthy that the evacuation Of the
British has occurred everywhere with
out manifestation whatever from the
people; there has been no sign either
of popular rejoicing or regret.
In some cases departure of these
troops will be a serious loss to towns
which benefited from the money
spent by the soldiers and there was
time when the reduction of their gar
risons would have resulted in parlia-
mentary protests. The new spirit in
Ireland has changed all that: never
theless, until new conditions have been
created, in such towns as Newbridgc
and Fermoer they will suffer finan
cially thru the departure of the SOL
diers.
The transition from one government
to another has been rapid but crim-
inals have done their best to take ad-
vantage of any confusion arising from
the change. There have been daring
bank robberies and holdups thruour
the country and even in Dublin City
but the new government is dealing
vigorously with the criminal element.
Welcome Republican Curfew.
The Republican army has acted en-
ergetically in parts of Tipperary where
the lawless element seemed about to
get out of hand. Martial law was pro-
claimed, and serious penalties threat
ened for the unauthorized carrying of
arms The army authorities even inn
posed a rigid o'clock curfew law.
People who bitterly resented the
British curfew have welcomed the
Republican curfew. Altho the evacu-
alton of British troops is to be COM
plete. it is only from southern Ireland.
For the purposes of the treaty in this
respect northern ireland counts as
tho it were England. and accordingly
large bodies of troops are fulfilling the
promise to evacuate simply by march
ing acros the border into Ulster.
The announcement by Premier Sir
James Craig in Belfast that the British
government has promised him it would
leave twelve battalions in northern
Ireland is regarded. suspiciously in
Sim Fem quarters. Michael Collins
head of the provisional government,
has given out. nothing in explanation
Of his recent agreement with Sir
James. which is welcomed on general
grounds provided it does not mean
more than appears on the surface but
the Ulster premiers account of the
agreement is certain to be used by
the Sim Fem party opposed to Collins
When the executive committee of the
Sim Fein meet February z, to decide
between De Valera and Collins some
of the Ulster premier's claims are sure
to be challenged.
Ulster Wins Concessions?
1t was all along stated to be the
root and principle of the London
treaty that if Ulster stayed out she
should receive none of the concessions
won by the south. Sir James's recent
speech is taken by sorle Sim Feiners
greatly to modify this notion, and to
indicate the possibility in his mind of
what would really amount to two
separate and equal dominions in Ire
land, a result which would be disap-
proved by Irish nationalists opinion
generally.
Some difficulty arises from the ne
cessity of meeting the criticism of the
extremists on each side. The respon-
sible ministers both in Dublin and Bel
fast are mainly concerned with the
task of maintaining public order and
encoura ging the flow of trade. The