The New York herald., 1922-07-09
Soldiers Courteous to Civil
ians, Apologize for
Searching Them.
COOL AND DARING IN FIRE
Exhibited Chivalry Toward
Opponents and Praised Con-
duct of Officers.

Special Gable to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Dubln, July 8.
Every Free State soldier. in the re-
markable ten day period just ending
has been a friendly ambassador from
the young Irish Government to the
civil population. If the fighting ac-
complishes nothing else it will have
been almost worth the cost for the
good feeling which it engendered
among Irishmen of all classes save
the extreme republicans.
The courtesy and consideration
shown by the young soldiers to civil
ians, even in the most narrowing mo-
ments, their courage, coolness and
daring under fire and the chivalry
exhibited toward their opponents in
the face of bitter provocation have
won the compliments of countrymen
and visitors alike.
Persons who heretofore had agreed
with the Englishmen, who said Irish
men can't govern themselves" have
been converted in the last two weeks
to the belief that their nation is COM
ing gradually through the aftermath
Of its revolutions, and coming through
successfully.
AnnInnfzaA fnr Son ~
In spite Of three incidents in the
course of eight days of fighting, in which
civilians who were being searched by
troops Of the provisional army whipped
out revolvers and shot the soldiers, the
lads, nevertheless, maintained their good
humor and GOODNESS. From first to last
they apologized for any Inconvenience
they might be causing. THE NEW YORK
HERALD correspondent was searched
dozens Of times when passing barricades
the first time only few minutes before
the first gun was fired at dawn Of June
28.
II hope you don't think none the worse
Of me for this. We have to do it. you
see." said the sentry.
Barricades proved a never failing
source OF interest. Late at night pedes-
trians sometimes felt little nervous
seasoned volunteers. One civii'an stood
talking with several soldiers when some
persons came by. The soldiers, apollo
gizing almost bashfully. conducted q
search. The civilian joined in, feeling
the outside pockets, and then went on
down the street. apologizing to the
soldiers
The correspondent visited with the
soldiers VINO were guarding the buildings
in O'Connell street across from the
Gresham. which was one of the last to
fall. An entrance had been forced
through a corner saloon, which. though
the soldiers had free access for four
days, remained almost intact. save for a
few boxes of cigars. With eyes twink
ling. these boys occasionally staggered
up to the counter. excused themselves
to the visitors and remarked:
well. | think Mick Collins would like
to buy me a cigar" Then, lighting up
they talked discursively OF international
politics. Mick" is big brother to
them all.
Ireland's New Army.
These warriors, who are now mostly
members of The famous Dublin Guards,
are good examples OF Ireland's new
army. One of them took special pains
TO tell what fine officers they had.
They're all good" he said. "and they
do most of the hard work themselves.
They never ask us to go any place
where they wouldn't go, and when a
message is to be delivered at danger
Gus place they go instead Of sending
one of us"
They are not bitter against the irreg-
ulars They feel the rebels are simply
foolish and misguided. We've been as
good republicans as any of them" said
a sergeant who had been on active SER
vice In the l. r. A. since 1915. But
think II we hadn't been willing to ac-
cept something like the treaty we
shouldn't have stopped fighting last
summer. But wen get republic
through the treaty.
'I was having a fight with fellow
out at the barracks the other day over
something about republic and II just
occurred to me then I could hit him
when / wanted. just like hitting that
door, but IL didn't do any good.
thought that was just like us fighting
England We can beat England any
time she comes here, but we can't make
her give US republic"
The soldiers OF the Free State
usually express regret that they had
to fight their old friends. but they went
at their job as though they we're de-
termined TO teach them how TO behave
themselves.