The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1922-12-28
irish EXECUTE
REBEL Chief
ChilderS, De VaIera'S Lieutenant,
Pays Penalty for Carrying
Weapons When Seized.
FATE HUNG IN BALANCE
England Thought Republican Leader
Might Be Spared by Irish Nationals
First Word Relatives Receive Is
Announcement by Adjutant.

Dublin.-Erskine Childers was shot
to death at Portobello barracks by a
Free State firing squad.
Republicans, apparently aware that
the execution Of Childers, their lead
er, was imminent. made a big demon
stration in Dublin, sniping and using
machine guns on the National forces
from many points.
An announcement by the publicity
department Of the Republicans states:
"Childers wife was informed at
GAS this morning that her husband
had been executed.
Captain Childers was first told to
prepare for execution on Monday
morning last Later he was informed
that the date would be Wednesday.
On Tuesday at 10 o'clock at night he
was told that he would not be taken
out Wednesday.
up to ten o'clock Thursday night
he had not been informed what time
had been fixed for the execution. In
the meantime he was moved hourly
from barrack to barrack. He applied
to see the Rev. DR.. Browne, of May
nooth, or Father Albert. These re-
quests were refused. Finally he ask
ed to see a Protestant clergyman
whom he knew as a boy. This clergy
man was brought to him, and was
with him when he died"
The government officially an
nounced that eight men who applied
with Cbilders for writs of habeas
corpus had been sentenced to terms
of from five years 10 twelve months at
penal seryitude. One was found not
guilty.
1t was a raw, foggy morning, with
q cold wind blowing, when ChiIders
was led from his cell in the Ililmain-
ham Jail on the outskirts of the city.
Escorted by q little group Of Free
State soldiers, Childers was quickly
taken into the jail yard.
The firing squad was lined up, a
handkerchief was tied across his face
and he was placed with his back
against the wall A dozen shots rang
out. Childers crumpled up. A sur
seon examined him and pronounced
him dead.
Persons who saw the execution said
that Childers' courage stayed with
him to the last. He made no plea for
mercy.
Relatives were not allowed to visit
the condemned man in his cell, and
Mrs. Childers did not know her hus-
band was dead until noon, when Off
cially informed by the adjutant gen
eral of the Free State army. She
tainted on hearing the news. This
evening she was in serious condi-
ton.
The sons and sisters of Childers,
dressed in deep mourning, called at
the government Offices and requested
that the body be turned over to the
family.
Childers left an unfinished letter ad-
dressed to his wife. He did not make
any statement before his death.
Childers is the latest victim of
the iron policy of the new Free
State government, headed by William
4. Cosgrove, president of Dali Fire
ann. Appeals were made in his be-
half by prominent residents of both
Ireland and England, but the govern
ment refused to heed them. Irish Of
ficials argued that to show weakness
now would be to court further dis
order and bloodshed.
Irregular leaders are being rounded
up one by one-both men and women.
The Free State military authorities
have learned the whereabouts of De
Valera and he is under close surveil-
lance. He issued a warning that
"bloodshed would follow if Childers
were executed"
The general opinion here is, how
ever that if Valera is captured he
Will be arraigned in a civil court in
stead of before a court martial.