New-York tribune., 1922-02-22
Irish
Fund Is Draw,
BY De Valera
Money Part of IS, 900, 600
COLLECTED Here by Organ
'zations for Furihcring
Cause of independence
Leaders, Action AssaiIcd
Own Political Ambitions
Consulted, Charge Made
by sThc Caclic-American7

Emon de Valera, crstwhile president
of "the Irish Republic,' now the Irish
frcc State, on or about January 81
caused to DC withdrawn from bank in
TINS city approximately $3.50 600 Of [rieh
Public funds collected by tho Friends
OF irish Freedom, Clan-na~ Gael and as
soclatcd organizations, according to in
formation given out yesterday by tho
publishers of the "Gaclic-A y
100 William Street. The information
was corroboratcd by an official of one
OF the organizations concerned, who
SAID the withdrawal had not been sane
toned by the organizations and CON
stltutcd violation of an agreement
understood to have been entered into
between De Valera and Michael Collins
of the Griffith Collins free State GOV
ernment, whereby the Irish Republic 3
FUNDS were not to be touched until the
matters at Issue in Ireland had been
settled.
More than $5,000,00O was collected bv
inc American Irish organizations under
the auspices of the Committee for Irish
Independence, most of which is still on
deposit in various banks throughout
this country. The money withdrawn
mere constitutes the major portion of
the deposits in a single bank, the name
OF which was not disclosed.
Freedom Friends Indignant
officials of the Friends Of Irish Free
dom were indignant yesterday when
they learned of the withdrawal.
James McHugh, business manager Of
"Thc Gaelic Amcrican," said the act
was most significant, especially in
view of the reported understanding be
tween De Valera and Collins that the
funds should remain on deposit until
an agreement between tho Irish fac
tional leaders on existing issues should
be reached. The money was intended
for the Irish government. moth the
ciques," declared Mr.. McHugh.
"The Gaelic American" in its issue
says the money was deposited in Mr.
Dc Naleras name. The official Of the
American-lrisls organization says he
believed the money was deposited ir
the name of Stephen O'Mara, hnancia
agent of the Irish Repubic' in this
country, who recently returned to Ire
land. Neither considered the question
important, maintaining that De Valera
was responsible for the withdrawal.
In its account of the withdrawal "The
Gaelic American" imptes a desire or
the part of De Valera to use the funds
collected in good faith from American
sympathizers to further his own politi
cal fortunes. The article says:
"On January 30 last he drew Il checl
for $4,000 and on January 81 $4,000
more. This gives him $250,000 which
he can use for bribery and corruption
as he used fully 81 10000 in America
to smash the only organizations tina
were sincerely for the Irish republic
This expenditure was mainly in tn,
form of exorbitant salaries to incom
petent men. He can give any number
of men $40 or more d week and un-
limited expenses and their consciences
viii be salved by the idea that they
arc working for the Irish republic. De
Valera has an inherited belief in the
power of money and believes that every
man has his price. He is themost sin
lister influence that has ever appeared
in the public life of Ireland"
Irish Commerce Planned
Tentative organization of local Irish
business men into body for the pro
motion of commercial relations between
the United States and the new Irisl
Free State was announced yesterday
by Francis J. Lowe, of 118 West 10lst
Street, secretary. The letter-head con
tanning the announcement gives the
name of the organization as The
Friends of the Irish Free State but
according to George Hiram Mann al
attorney of 81 Chambers Street, whC
will act as the organizations counsel
the Secretary Of State has advised thai
in order for it to obtain its charter
the name be changed so Us not to be
confused with the Friends of irish
Freedom.
Incorporation of the new body is