Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-05-02
IMPROVEMENT SEEN
IN IRISH SITUATION
BY GEORGE N. BARNES
British Parliament LeaderO

Copyright, 1929
LONDON, April 29.-The Irish
situation shows noticeable improve
ment. The elections definitely are
called for the beginning of June.
The will of the people then will be
expressed. It remains to be seen
whether the gun men" will defy, as
they are threatening, that will ana
try to prevent it's execution.
It must be remembered, however,
that the elections will arm the pro-
visional government with a proper
constitutional mandate under Whlch
it can make short work OF the ma
lignanr conspiracy Of violence which
ireland has had to endure Tor
months. The Improvement through
out the past week can directly be
attributed to the courage Of Arthur
Griffith and Michael Collins. The
former at Sligo and the latter at
Killarney took their lives in their
hand but their courage won way
for them and greatly strengthened
their authority.
The efforts Of the archbishop of
Dublin and the lord mayor to force
a truce between the warning ele-
ments utterly failed because the rad
icals demanded the establishment OF
an Irish republic even against the
wishes Of the Irish people. This
was the position Of affairs when Col
Inns went to Killarney, although it
was in possession Of the irregulars
who had blocked the turnpike and
torn up the railway. Collins, over
coming these obstacles, faced the
armed men contemptuously and
made his voice heard. Griffith at
Sligo defied the trouble makers.
The one day strike called as a
protest against military aggression
was satisfactory to the oTiginators.
Except for hospital and humane SER
vices work ceased completely in
the south counties and many of
the public offices, including those
in Dublin, closed. All sorts Of peo-
pie took advantage of the oppor-
tunity to make common cause with
labor against the gun men. 1t was
far different celebration than had
been contemplated by the extremists.
Southern Ireland was isolated for
day. She also was unemployed and
therefore unproductive for day. 1t
was heavy price to pay. However,
the gain may be worth the price for
the poverty Of the opposition to the
treaty stood revealed as against the
overwhelming body Of Irish opiAion
in it's favor. 1t was not q strike
against the provisional government
but rather a strike to demand such
a government and encourage it. 1t
will assist Griffith and Collins to
continue to assert themselves.
Sympathy with the object Of the
stoppage has been recorded in reso-
lutions adopted by rate payers asso-
Citations, chambers Of commerce,
farmers organizations and other
unions us we'll as by the corporation
Of Dublin. The lord mayor Of Dub
lin had indeed, himself, led in I'M
qualified condemnation Of the "bul-
lies of the night" He was supported
by a dig demonstration which is to
be followed by another organized for
t coming week by the A1l-Ire1and
rate savers association. The Dali
now is resuming it's sittings and
these proceedings, past and present,
must have a far-reaching effect
upon the deliberations Of that body.
The Statutory effect Of the ebullition
of public opinion indeed already has
been evidenced by the prompt arrest
in Athlone of the officer and 20 men
alleged to be concerned in last Tues
days murder of the commander Of
tho froa ctato forcac