New-York tribune., 1922-08-24
Next Few Days Expected
to Bring Out ssStrong
Man. Who Can Guide
Free State TO r ace
Selection Believed
ToLie Among Three
NInlcahy, Duffy or Co.'S
grave Mentioned; Dual
leadership Is Probable
from The rrioune's zaropeon enrsas

FROM The Tsibune's European BRreau
Copyright. 1892. New York Tribune Inc.
DUBLIN, Aug. 23.--Mingled with
Inc universal mourning for Michael
Collins, shot to death from ambush
last night by the Irish irregulars in
County Cork, is the inevitable spec
ulation over his successor as active
head Of the Irish Free State pro-
visional government.
The dominant sentiment here is
that Ireland at this moment has no
strong man to replace the slain
cbieftain. The events of the next
few days may develop one. What
ever they may bring forth, it seems
certain the cause Collins represented
will go forward.
While Dublin is preparing for the
national funeral with full military
honors, leaders of the Dali Eireann are
hurrying to the capital for an extraor-
dinary session which will be convened
perhaps on Saturday.
Probable Successors
Problems of government have been
made doubly perplexing by the as
sassination of the man who had made
+ himself the vital, driving force in the
Free State councils. but there is no
disposition to shirk them because of
bis passing. The cause lacks leader
and he will be found.
There is no one in the Dali who
combines in himself ali the varied
talents that were possessed by Col
s lns, but there are men aplenty who
we're in intimate and sympathetic touaa
With his aims who are pledged to car
" out the policies he represented.
Anong these are Richard Mulcahy,
George Gavan Duffy and William I.
e@srave. They fill the public eye to-
dsy because of their close associations
With the birth and progress of the
Free State.
Qualifications of Three
Ccsgrave is the formal acting head
OF the provisional government, al
though Collins was the driving power
as well as the military leader who
translated his orders into deeds. He
ls quiet, reserved man, of the tena-
cious type. His friends say he can
not be swerved from policy, once
convinced it is right. He was close
friend of Griffith and Collins and
valuable ally of both.
Mulcahy is chief of staff of the Free
State army and in military Importance,
and perhaps stature, ranked next to
Collins. He has long and honorable
record in the struggle for peace in
Ireland, enjoys the confidence of the
army and is declared to be a for
midable candidate to succeed his late
chief. Cosgrave is almost entirely
civil administrator and his strength
will come from the officials who have
been in close touch with him and his
work. Mulcahy's fame in Ireland is
founded on his military achievements.
u Is supposed that he will have the
army with him..
Cosgrave Frail
Dutfy is the best known of the three
soIoaa: de has been Foreign Minister
10 the Provisional government and also
tne Irish representative in Rome, fill
ing both posts with distinction. He
LOOK part in all the London confer
ehces leading up to the Anglo-Irish
agreement and was one of the final
scsiasofs When peace seemed about
% % faii because of the activities of
Eamnn de Valera. He has been
prominent figure in the provisional
government since it took charge at
Dubiin Castle.
One suggestion heard tonight is
mat the position of Collins may be
oivlded, one part falling to Mulcahy,
who would rule on the military side
o. the government. In this event, it
Is probable that Owen McKeown and
Duffy would be his chief aids. On
ne political side Cosgrave might take
es..: .uaa cnarge. There is no general
criticism of the possible choice of Cos
grave, except that he is frail physical
y, Tor his health has been undermined
" long imprisonment and he has not
yet recovered from the near break
aown ne suffered last spring.
Darrell Figgis, of Dublin. also is a
ngure who may come TO the front DO
ii1ically. He was elected to the Dali IN