Evening star., 1922-08-29
Effect of Collins Death on the
Future of Ireland.

! Were it merely mad crime" the
killing of Michael Collins might be
excused, in the view of American
editors. But they insist that his
death, fighting when ambushed by
republican extremists. has complicat-
ed the entire Irish situation SO that
| it is impossible to forecast the future
OF the Free State. Collins. alive. meant
iperpetuation of the treaty plan of
government. Dead, his example is
expected to prove beneficial for a
time, but unless a strong man or men
shall be developed in the immediate
future. another, and more serious re-
bellion. must he anticipated, most Of
the editors are convinced.
"Irishmen of all shades of opinion.
save the few desperate scoundrels
who could do such Il deed" points out
the New York Post. had learned TO
trust and love this gallant fighter.
His death. in close succession to that
of Griffith is staggering blow. 1t
is important that the new leaders use
rightly. and do not allow to be mis-
used. the wave of grief and resent
ment in Ireland"
The world must "be appalled," over
this latest tragedy, the New York
Evening World believes. inasmuch as
he was Struck down because he was
ridding Ireland of lawlessness and
ruffianism that sought sanction under
the banners of fanatical minority
of political intransigeants. Unhappy
still unhappy Ireland" In the face
of the crime, however. the Norfolk
Ledger-Dispatch is convinced the
Irish Free State will stand. and the
provisional government. and it's sue
cessor, will rule Ireland. Only. the
h Il ,rfx &c Ia
fearless and unselfish devotion of one
of Ireland's greatest men"
This, likewise, is the opinion of the
Brooklyn Eagle. which also suggests
that good causes supported by pop
: ular majorities are not destroyed by
The Free State may suffer from the
death of Collins. It's ultimate IT,
umph may be the longer deferred be-
cause he is gone. But it must win
finally, because it represents the ma
jority of the Irish people. and ma
jorities, when challenged by civil war.
do not suffer minorities to rule them"
There is some parallel between the
murder of Rathenau and the death
of Collins. according to the Baltimore
Sun, the intent in each instance being
to end liberalism, with the result
that apparently, If Ireland is to be
pacified it must be by the iron hand.
Today the future of Ireland seems
dark indeed. Unwillingly, we believe
that further suffering for the Irish
people must come before regeneration:
Unless this last disaster to Ireland
serves t. shock the country into unity,
anarchy will shortly be staring it in
the face"
This is also the opinion of the Dan
vile Bee, which says that "one looks
generation Of It's IDEAL Its early
struggle for freedom won no small
sympathy and admiration in this
country. Reverence for her true pa
triots is almost lost now that Irish
men have turned upon their own
ance won. has developed into a real
civil war" But, in the appeal of the
surviving leaders to their Free State
followers to refrain from reprisals,
the Milwaukee Journal sees ray of
hope, as 'ff Ireland carries on in
that spirit she can retrieve the dis
honor of assassination and win out
of the darkness of intrigue and am
bush"
"The government at Dublin still
lives" asserts the Lynchburg News,
and another will be found to take
fell. The Infamous cowardice which
was interpreted when Collins was
attacked from ambush. and brutally
slain, adds another chapter of in
tolerable humiliation to Irish his
tory" But let ireland survive this
test" says the Manchester Leader.
"and a fine future is assured. The
path ahead is neither smooth nor
Illuminated. There will be great
resurgence of hope in the breasts of
the scattered republicans. Most
likely terrorism will be rampant. The
immediate future looks dark enough.
But 1t is just such situations which
bring out the best there Is in u.s."