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been put to death secretly. This
was disproved when attorneys rep.
resenting Childers went into court
seeking writ of habeas corpus
TO test the validity of the court
martial that condemned the pris.
oner.
While these proceedings were un-
der way. q report became current
that Childers and eight other ir-
regular prisoners had been deported
to Ascension Island in the south
Atlantic.
The court ruled against Childers
In the habeas corpus proceedings.
Childers' Counsel gave notice Of an
appeal and in the meanwhile the
formal death warrant was read TO
Childers in his cell.
Childers Is the latest victim of
the Iron policy" of the new Free
State government, headed by VIII
liam T. Cosgrave, president Of the
Dali Eireann. Appeals were made
In his behalf by prominent res
idents of both Ireland and England,
but the government refused to heed
them. Irish officials argued that
to show weakness now would be to
court further disorder and blood
shed.
The stern policy of the present
government is even more drastic
than that of Michael Collins. who
claimed that any show of leniency
would only make the situation
worse.
1t is confidently predicted now
that cannon de Valera himself will
be the next prominent prisoner"
taken by Free State troops. The
irregular leaders are being rounded
up one by one-both men and
women.
Childers, although an Englishman
by birth, was one of the most bit
ter enemies of England in all Ire
land. His career has been most
picturesque. He did not have the
appearance of a soldier. He was
spare of frame, oop-shouldered.
and walked with n limp. His fore
head bulged out und6r a mop OF
hair that was seldom combed
When ne talked of the English his
voice rose to a snarl.
Served In British Army.
Childers had served both in the
English civil service and In the
English army, a fact which led his
Irish enemies to call him a renegade
Englishman. II was not until 1917,
when he first met de Valera, that
ne espoused the Irish republican
cause with heart and soul.
Childers' wife is Boston girl.
She is an invalid. In recent inter-
view with international News Serv.
ice she supported her husbands
views and said>that she would stand
by him "even If he had to give IN
his life for the republican cause"
IL is feared that the execution of
Childers will lead to a recurrence cf
the disorders of last night when IT.
regulars broke out in the center of
the ci,y. attacking barracks, the
railway station and other buildings.
At least three Free State soldiers
were killed and many persons were
wounded. The city Quieted down
after daybreak, but not until heavy
forces of Free State soldiers had
been thrown into the trouble zones
to patrol the streets.
The fighting was believed to have
been precipltated by Irregulars in
protest against the adverse verdict
In the habeas corpus proceedings in
Childers' behalf.
Mrs. Childers was reported in
serious condition this afternoon.
The sons and sisters of Childers.
dressed in deep mourning, called at
the government offices and request
ed that the body be turned over to
the family.
The Free State Military authori.