Evening star., 1922-11-25
FATE OF CH|LDERS
DEFENDED IN PRESS
London Papers Hold Execu.
ton Justified-None Con-
denim Action.
Ry the Associated Press.

LONDON. November 25.-The ex-
ecution of Erskine Childers draws no
editorial condemnation in the London
morning newspapers today. Several
papers make no comment, and in their
biographical matter and Introductory
notes indicate neither surprise nor
censure. Everywhere there is recog-
milton Of Chi,ders' ability and cour-
age, and the obituaries and editorials
alike deplore that his life had such
an end.
The execution. says the Times edi-
torially. is justifiable on the ground
that there is no difference between
his case and that of the four others
executed in Dublin recently.
The fact that Childers was an
Englishman." it proceeds. "in no wise
=, Englishmen may regret that his bril-
liant talents had not been used to in
culcate in Irish extremists the English
virtue of compromise in matters po-
Htical We hold 1t was his
right to throw in his lot with Ire
land and exert in behalf of his con-
ception of the Irish peoples interests
the unusual powers he possessed. So
doing he took his life in his hands
and with a personal courage beyond
cavil faced the consequences of his
action.
Challenged Authority.
"He challenged the only constituted
authority in the country and met his
doom. That authority had no choice
but to accept his challenge or abdi-
cate all title to lawful trusteeship
for the welfare of the state. The
Free State government made their
choice with courage certainly not
inferior to that of their adversaries
and with q responsibility far graver.
We believe the verdict of the civilized
world on their decision will be that
it was right"
Aside from the Times comment is
practically confined to the liberal pa
pers which have been the strongest
champions of Irish autonomy and the
Free State. The Chronicle calls
Childers the enemy of Ireland and
the author of barbaroals and cruel
methods employed against his adopt
ed country.
aMurderer ON Large Scale"
HE merited his fate meted not
merely to a murderer. but to a mur-
derer on a large SCALE" the newspa-
per says; speculatins as to, to what what
change toward Great Britain. the pa
per asks. WAS it marriage with a
woman who, herself, was the prey Of
fanatical loathing Of this coun-
try?'
The Daily News. paying tribute to
Childers' sincerity and ability. adds:
IF it is important to do justice to
the latest victim of the Irish civil
war. it is equally important that the
case for the Irish government should
be fairly recognized. and this case is
overwhelmingly strong. 1t
is not for US, necessarily less ac-
Quainted than the Irish government
with all the facts, to challenge its
decision
"Quarrel Not Even His own"
The Westminster Gazette says:
'"To most people Childers will remain
a man who by some pitiable perver-
sity had been driven mad by a quar-
rel which was not even his own"
This newspaper anticipates that De
Valera will do the utmost to make
good the threat that if Erskine
Childers died rivers of blood would
flow. Discussing the attitude of the
republicans, the Gazette expresses
the fear that "the Free State govern
ment must continue to advance along
the bitter path which their opponents
in criminal folly have hewn for
them"
The tragedy Of Childers has shock
ed and startled England more than
did the death of Michael Collins.
Well wishers of the Irish Free States,
of whom there are many in London,