The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1922-12-23

ever led Ireland, quiet to the point of
Eentleness, almost to the point of
appearing saturnine. a man of la
comic utteranCe, he answered in mono
syllables where most men would have
considered an oratoricaI denverance
70 be demanded by the dignity OF the
occasion.
But we found in our few weeks
. acquaintance that his yea was yea
and his nay meant nay. He led the
Irish deputation. He was asked
whether ne would sign. In his alb
rupt staccato manner he replied:
Speaking ON my own behalf I
mean TO sign"
BY his side sat a handsome young
Irishman. He was Irish through and
through, in every respect a contrast
70 his taciturn neighbor. VtvaCiOus,
buoyant, highly strung, say, impui-
sive. but passing readily from gaiety
to grimness and back to gaiety, full OF
fascination and charm-but also Of
dangerous fire. That was Michael Col
Inns. one of the most courageous lead
ers ever produced by a valiant race.
Nevertheless ne hesitated painfully
when the quiet little figure on his left
had taken his resolve. Both saw the
shadow Of doom clouding over that
fateful paper-their own doom. They
knew that the pen which affixed their
signature at the same time Signed
their death warrant. The little man
saw beyond his own fall Ireland rising
out of her troubles a free nation and
that suficed for him.
Spectre Of Death
Michael Collins was not appalled, by
the spectre of death. but ne had the
Irtshman's fear of encounteung that
charge which comes so readily TO the
lips of the oppressed-that Of having
succumbed to alien vile and betrayed
their country.
Patriots who Cheerfully face the ty-
rants steel LOSE their nerve before
that dread aCcV~ati0H. Il was the
first time Michae. Collins ever showed
fear. It was also she last time.
I knew the reason why he halted.
although he never uttered a word
which revealed his mind, and I ad-
dressed my appeal TO an effort to
demonstrate how the treaty gave Ire
land more than Daniel O'ConnelI and
ParneI had ever hoped for and that
his countrymen would be ever CRATE
full to him not only FOR the courage
which won such an offer, but for the
wisdom which accepted 1t.
He asked for a few hours 10 con
slider, promising a reply by 9 O'Clock.
Nine passed, but the Irish leaders did
were not yet back We had doubts
as to whether we should see them
again. Then came a message from
the secretary Of the Irish delegation
that they were on their way to Down
ing st, When they marched IN It
was clear from their faces that they
had come to a great decision after q
prolonged struggle.
But there were still difficulties TO
Overcome-they were. however. diff
cUlties not of principle but of detail.
These were discussed in a business
way and soon after ] O'clock I'm the
morning the treaty was completed.
No Clew to Passions
Outside in the lobby sat the man
who had used all the resources of an
ingenious and well trained mind,
backed by a tenacious will, to wreck
every endeavor TO reach an agreement
Mr. Erslline ChiIders. a man whose
slight figure. whose kindly. refined
and intellectual cOuntenance whose
calm and courteous <semeanOr offered
no clew to the fierce passions which
ragged inside his breast. At every
crucial point ia the negotiations he
played a sinister part.
He was clearly Mr.. De Valera !
emissary and faithfully did he fulfill
the trust reposed in him by that vision
airy. Every draft that emanated from
his pen-and all the first drafts were
written by him-challenged every fun
damental position to which the Bri
fish delegates were irrevocably com
mitted. He was one of those men who
by temperament are incapable of COM
promise. Brave and resoIute he IN
doubtedly was but unhappily for him
self he was also rigid and fanatical.
When we walked out of the room
where we had sat for hours together
worn with tense and anxious labor,
but all happy that our great task Of
reconciliation had been achieved, We
met Mr.. Erskine Childers outside, sui
len with disappointment and com
pressed wrath at what he conceived
10 be the surrender of the principles
he had fought for. I never saw him
after that morning.
Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith
met repeatedly after the signature
Of the treaty, to discuss the many OBJ
stacles that surged up in the way OF
its execution. and acquired for both a
great affection. Poor Collins was shot
by one of his country-men on a bleak
Irish roadside.
Worn Out by Anxiety
Arthur Griffith died worn out by
anxiety and toll in the cause which
he had done so much TO carry to the
summit Of victory.
Erskine Childers was shot down for
rebellion against liberties he had
helped to win. Truly the path Of Irish