The Washington times., 1922-10-07
BY HAYDEN TALBOT.
Copyright 1929. New York American)
CHAPTER XIX, Section 2.

Cnapter AlA, SeCtioh %
Continuing his statement concern
ing the Four Courts affair and MS
peace agreement with De Valera
Michael Collins said:
World opinion-as voiced In
newspaper editorials and in express
sions Of private individuals which
reached me-condemned me for en-
tering into this pact with De Valera.
In the light OF what has happened
since the condemnation may appear
to be justified. Yet l cannot bring
myself TO believe that 1t was not my
duty to have done what ! did. In
my official capacity as chairman OF
the provisional government l had
no right to evade the duty ] owed
the Irish people-and the paramount
responsibility resting upon me was
to make any sacrifice that might
spare the Irish uation from civil
war.
"As to my own personal views
whatever l may have anticipated IL
beside the point"
Collins would not say more than
this. But l had already learned
more OF his opinion from another
source.
Charges Of Treason.
Collins met Harry Boland on the
street one day shortly after the pub
lie announcement of the pact. Every
where in the ranks Of the un"om-
promising Republicans th"rc was
bitter disappointment over the sur
render OF their leader. II WAS being
openly charged that De Valera had
shaken hands with a traitor. In all
fairness TO BOland. II should be added
that he was not OF those who
charged Collins with treason-ai-
though his affiliatiOn with the eX-
tremists had prevented his actively
ropudiating their charges. AS they
came face to face Collins opened the
conversation.
Issues His Challenge.
Roland" he began. III DE
Valera and the rest of you un'
compromising Republicans believe
what you say-that because | sup
port the treaty ] am guilty OF
treason-there is only one decent
thing you can do. You know what
a traitor deserves. ny uOH SOu
have me killed."
Now, be reasonable" replied
Boland. You know we can't af
ford to have you killed. Look al
the disastrous reaction among the
people who believe in you. We
wouldn't dare take the responsibility
of such a thing"
Nonsense" said Collins. "You
lNn hn ~
thing the Irish people do is forgtt
and forget quickly. Within q
week they would have forgotten
me. Besides, you and those with
you have openly charged that
am guilty OF treason. There is
only one punishment fitting that
crime. and no considerations OF
any kind should sway you from
executing that punishment-no con
| sideration. that is, unless maybe
there is nobody among you thai
dares try II.
Collins Much Amused.
II am altogether serious. Boland
You know what has to be done Il
| a diseased body is to be made well
You must get at the central nerve
tissue and destroy it. Also yor
Know wei tnal am the pulse O
| this movement which you cal
reasonable. Destroy me and YOU
colleagues can go ahead with tho
Republic without domestic opposi
ton worthy the name"
When related this story tC
COllins-as l did do when he re
fused to talk about his persona
views of the pact with De Valera
he Chuckled. But the tale did moi
| draw his fire.
! Resuming his narrative, Collins
said:
Il have never seen anywhere ir
/ print a reference to remarkable
statement that de Valera made the
third day of the public sessions oi
the Dail-Friday, December Is. 1921
On that occasion he said
81 have been president of the
Irish Republic; l will never accept
any lesser office in any Irish cabi
net
"Of the remaining fifty.six mem
! bers Of the Dali who voted against
! the treaty more than two-thirds have
told me that they are delighted with
the prospects Of peaceful ireland.
C"Michael Collins Own Story" will
ka continued ;., ThS