Evening journal., 1922-08-23
COLLINS, irish
LEADER, SLAIN
BY ASSASSIN
lcOntInuea FrOm FIrst Page }

/ Continued From First Pase)
OF his troops.
The ambush. crownlng stroke OF
a campaign OF terrorism. cost the
country the life OF the man upon
whom 1t had pinned its highest
hopes.
General Dalton. OF the Free state
army, former Boston. Mass, boy
who served in the British army and
who was cited for conspicuous gal
lantry during the world war. wns
wounded trying to defend his chief,
Dalton, who was in command OF
Free State troops in the Cork area,
was with Collins in the car which
was ambushed.
An armed guard accompanied
him.
a large party Of rebels lay In
wait for the car at turn OF the
road. Fierce FIRE raked the party
from both sides. Collins and Dali
ton were instantly on their feet, re-
volvers in hand. replying to the fire
from hidden assallants. The fight
ing lasted half an hour. Collins urg-
ing on his staff officers and guard
fought with superb courage. expos
ing himself constantly TO the insur-
gent bullets.
A trlumvirate will succeed Mich
ael Collins. murdered yesterday. at
at the head OF the Irish Free State
Death that claimed Ireland's two
greatest leaders. Griffith and Collins.
within ten days, left no single out
standing figure.
Liam T. Cosgrave. chairman of
the provisional government. may rise
TO be Collins successor. or II may
be dashlng "Dick" Muicahey, COM
mander-in-chief OF the Free State
army. George Gavan Duffy, former
envoy. is the third outstanding
figure.
For the time being, It was learn
ed, these three will head the Free
State government. None OF them is
comparable to Collins. who. espec-
laily after the death OF Griffith. last
Saturday. stood out head and
shoulders above all ireland.
Coming within ten days of the
death OF Arthur Griffith. who died
of heart failure. the loss of Collins
leaves free state Ireland in sorry
plight Collins was the most power
'ul and influential man in the newly /
'reated State.
He was not only commander-in- |
'hief OF the Free State forces. but
IIc, nravLafopaf had nf a.. ,......
nent and finance minister OF the
Oail Elreann.
Unless a strong man arises quick
y, Il was freely predicted that the
free State may collapse due to ac-
'vities OF the rebels under De Valera
which would again bring invading
orces OF British to ireland and
ause a renewal OF centuries old con
let. :,
Collins in recent months was
nown as the Lincoln Of Erin" He
ad largely been instrumental In
inducing his people TO accept the
rec State government. HIS death
anne at a time when Ireland was
bout 10 rest easier and devote her
nergy TO the development OF re-
)urces Michael Collins had been
ctorious over the rebels and were
power In most portions of Ire
nd. Chief OF stan Richard Mul-
hey on whose shoulders the mantle {
Collins fell for the time being at '
asst, issued the following appeal TO !.
3 fellow comtrymen: a
stand ca 'mly by your posts. Let !
cruel act OF reprisal blem.sh your
light honor.
THE dark hours which Michael T
'llins has met since 1915 seemed c
steel his bright strength and TO n
mper his gay bravery. 4,
You are left each OF you. an in c
'ritance OF that strength and h
avery. .
Let each fill his unfinished work. Il
at there he no darkness and do not r.
the loss OF our comrade daunt Z,
,u. !.
SO diers OF Ireland. the army n
'rves-let 1t be strengthened by its I,
'rrow." = =
Frequent reports that Collins wa, p
arked for death were heard in Ire p
nd since Harry Boland, secretary Z,
DE Valera. Irish irreconcilable. =
as shot and killed by free state O.
oops during a raid. II was re- g
orted that Collins was to be killed :
'r reprlsal. His motor car was 1red
pom a few days ago but Collins was
OF in H. c
Michael Collins. who began his "a o
ser as brokers' clerk. was prac-
caIly unknown until 1914 when he =
on the confidence Of Sir Rogers ;
lsement, who was executed during \
e war. Collins accompanied Case
ent TO Germany on the Irish mis- V
on. He sprang into fame during =
e rebellion OF 1916 when he was in =
of part OF the army under
II. Pearce. a
Collins from this time on to the 4
-mation of the Free State. be- n
me the most sought man in Ire C
Id. The British put a price on a
head. He was known as the "
hantom rebel" He narrowly es- Il
,ed death or capture time after o
le.. His exploits were on every I,
gue. "
During this period. Collins Il
gued the British by his pranks b
l, in disguise and then jumped /
one occasion he entered Dublin N
tile, the stronghold OF the Bri- %
m the window to freedom. He
; frequently reported in the garb :,
woman. Another time while =,
was attending wake, the Bri- =,
l conducted a raid for him. Col :,
removed the body and hid in the -,
I'm. When the truce with the Bri- -
came about over a year ago. -