The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-22
IRISH PEACE NEAR
Fighting to End Soon, Says Sue
cessOr to Griffith.
Declares Army of de Valera Is
Doubtful Thousand.
fCopyrtght, 1922. by l. n. Sd


Dublin. Aug. 22.-"r- am happy to
advise friends of the Irish Free State
in the United States that we have the
republican irregular situation well in
hand and that the beginning of next
month will see the end of the fight
ing"
This declaration was made by Will
liam T. Cosgrave. who is acting as
foreign secretary in the Irish proyi-
sional government in succession to the
late Arthur Griffith
Mr.. Cosgrave continued:
The armed force under canon de
Valera is ort doubtful aS6 he t 590SabfI
had 10000 at his command.
Fight Damage StOO, OOO,O 900.
I'VE estimate the material damage
done in the fighting at $1OO,OOO,OOO.
The great loss. however, was in re-
tarding constructive plans which the
government contemplated carrying
out in the next three years
DE Valera and his fellow leaders
are unquestionably unbalanced. Their
followers are made mp of men over
wrought by their war experiences and
by idleness.
Many ask why the government
does not arrest the irregular leaders
and treat them harShly. But these
people that ask this question would be
the first to cry out If the government
did adopt such measures.
ITO arrest the Republican leaders
would only 'martyrize' them. They
are fast wearing themselves out If
the government was forced to arrest
de Valera it-wouId release him as sooR-
as the danger is past
The actions of the irregulars are
deeply regretted, not only on account
of the losses, but because they have
been retarding the progress of the
country. The world expects much
from the Free State. but the activities
of the irregulars have given the world
a false opinion Of the character of the
Irish people
Night shootings and other cowardIy
tactics are having a bad effect upon
the people of Dublin, particularly the
women and children. They are suf-
fering from high nervous tension
which is injurious to health.
The whole tragic post war expert
ence is amazing to us A year ago
we would have said that such thing
was unthinkable- We would have
take UP arms against fellow Irish
men"
Unemployment Is Problem.
The greatest immediate necessity
is housing and coping with unemploy-
ment The unemployment in Dublin
alone is estimated at one out OF every
twenty popUlauon
You see terrible conditions in the
slums of Parneu and Gloucester
streets. They cry out for relief. 1t is
heart SlCkenlng TO Jnlnk Indt money
which would be spent for the relief
OF these poor people has to be spent in
military measures for the defense of
the free state, Ireland needs 10000
more houses. The government has
appropriated, under a sound financial
scheme. five million pounds sterling
for this purpose We are only await |
ing a cessation of -hostilitfes to be-
gin work OF relieving the housing
shortage.
The governments chief objective
was TO make every citizen feel that
he had the protection of a stable gov
eminent; also to educate a high civic
spirit in every one in the community.
Equitable land division is a high ne
cessity- The English rule made for
bad economic conditions as has been
exemplified by the living conditions in
Conemara and West ireland, where |
the people are on the verge of star |
walton and are badly housed. Their |
futile lives contrast with those of the |
rich. The level tracts of Ireland are |
barely inhabited. One problem is to |
break up the unwieldly estates into |
small farms. This demands a re- |
Distribution OF the Irish people and a |
redistribution of lands. But 1 want /
to make plain that the free state gov
arpT1erf does nor rnnfiCca tfnU ]