New-York tribune., 1922-11-26
Irish Armies
To Clash Soon.
Dublin Fears
Sees Split of Rebel and
Free State Groups Grow
ing and Turn i'm Popu-
lar Favor TO DE Valera
Parliament Bill Blamed
Words ssUnited Kingdom
Called Violation of Peace
Treaty in Many Circles
By Arthur S. Draper
ron. The 7'rte4ne's garopcon Barcau


LONDON, Nov. 25.--freland is be-
lieved here tonight to be entering on
one of the most critical weeks in her
history. To the uncertainty over the
extent of the threat TO Free State
power, which the Erskine Childers exc
cution involves, is added the dissstis-
faction OF the Irish government and
people over the charge made in Free
State circles that the constitution bill,
introduced into the British Parliament
yesterday, violates the treaty in the
important matter Of restoring the old
title Of the United Kingdom" TO the
relationship between England and Ire
land.
Grave apprehensions exist in Dublin
as to whether popular resentment
against this reported departure from
the treaty may not furnish sufficient
popular reinforcement to the De Valera
forces, who are said to be planning
widespread reprisals for the death OF
Childers, to enable them successfully
to challenge the government.
governmental circles are considering
the possibility of the defeat Of the
whole settlement If the British Parlia-
ment restores the United Kingdom"
Sitle, thus verbally denying Ireland the
status of dominion similar to Canada.
Old Rebellion May Return
The consequences which may issue
from these two developments are many,
including the one that the republicans
may, by overthrowing the Free State
authority, bring back return to the
old condition under which southern Ire
land was in rebellion against Great
Britain. That would mean, of course,
the reassumption of responsibility by
England in the neighboring island un-
less the London government were will
ing to surrender all title there.
An eyewitness at the execution of
Childers says he exhibited iron nerve,
chatting cheerfully with the officers of
the military guard and requesting
them, since the morning was murky, to
defer the assembly of the firing party
until it grew lighter. They agreed TO
wait until an hour after the official
time set for the execution. He was
blindfolded before being placed against
the wall, and it is said there was no
tremor in his handshake or weakness
in his voice as he made his farewells.
One of the oblique results of the
execution of Childers is that the Free
State government is placed in Il posi-
ton in many ways similar to that oc-
eupied by the Lloyd George govern
ment during the period two years ago
when the Black and Tan forces were
being used to repress the rebellious
republicans
Savage Reaction Feared
The shooting of Childers, following
the execution of four Dublin youths
Tor carrying weapons and accompany
ing the provisional governments per-
missive attitude toward Mary Mac
Swiney's hunger strike, is notice that
the Cosgrave ministry has entered on
policy almost equally as stern as
that pursued by Lloyd George and Sir
Hamar Greenwood at the height of
''the trouble"
The question uppermost now with
friends of ireland here is whether the
reaction OF the irreconcilable forces
Will be as savage and effectual to an
Irish government bent on upholdinp
order as 1t was to the British govern
meut.
Events within the next fortnight
may we'll spell the fate of the Free
State, or at least the Cosgrave gov
AhinViLI' NJ the moment, reports
from Dublin indicate the Irish re.
publican army is preparing TO take
up the challenge of the ChiIders
execution and to risk a serious en-.
gagement with Mulcahy's army.
Ihe outcome of a pitched battle
s might nave decisive bearing on the
M future OF the government, and while
#the outcome cannot be foretoId. II
#appears that the Free Staters who
are well organized, disciplined and
equipped, should be more than a match
Tor the haphazard elements of the
De Valeraites, however courageons
the latter might. be, There is no
doubt the irregulars have succeeded
IN demoraliEing the life and the gov.
ernment of southern Ireland to .
greater degree than the Anplo-IrisL II
strife developed.
DUBLIN, Nov 25 (By The Associated
press) The condition of Miss Mar
MaeSwiney, who has been on a hungey
strike in Mountjoy Prison for twenty
one Gays, was reported as unchanged
to-day. "
LIMERICK, Ireland, Nov. 25.--About
900 political prisoners were removed
from the Limerick county Jail this
morning and conveyed under heavy es-
cort to the. docks, where they were
placed on board a steamship which
EAilp5 fnr N.N~N-