The New York herald., 1922-12-28
DE- VALERA MEN GRAB
IRELAND CONSULATE
Appear Here as Time Limit
for McGrath's Death
Threat Expires.
BOTH SIDES HOLD FORT
Mrs. MacSwiney Among In
vaders Who Demand Of
fices and Papers.
MAI. O'KELLEY HEADS SIX
Republicans Present Written
Order Of Their Leader to
Free Staters.
MAI. O'KELLEY HEADS SIX

A document signed by Eamon de
Valera demanding the immediate sur
render of the offices and keys of the
! Irish Consulate at 119 Nassau street
to personal emissaries of the Irish
/ Republican leader was presented by
Lawrence Ginnell, member of De
Valera's irregular" cabinet, to Lind
say Crawford, newly appointed Consul
General of the Irish Free State in this
city, only half an hour after he took
charge of the consulate yesterday af-
ternoon.
The same demands We're made OF
Prof. Timothy A. Smiddy, envoy from
the Irish Free State to the United
States, soon after he entered the local
office. Mr.. Ginnell requested that the
consulate Office at Washington be
given up to the Republican delegation
at once. In both instances the ulti-
matum We're refused. It was asserted
| that the consulate offices were estab
lished here three years ago by De
Valera personally and the Republicans
declare they are theirs by right.
Consul General Crawford's refusal to
surrender the offices was met by a dec
laration from Mr.. Ginnell that he and
his associates would stay all night and
until possession was obtained" AS
result all yesterday afternoon and
throughout the evening the Irish Repub-
licans remained in one part of the con-
suIate offices while the Consul-General
himself stubbornly held another part.
De Valera Men Get Inside.
The Irish Republicans were able to
gain possession of the large main office
while Mr.. Crawford occupied two smaller
rooms. De Valera's contingent was
headed by Mrs. Terence MacSwiney.
widow of the martyred Lord Mayor of
Cork. 1t included also Robert Briscoe,
the Irish Jew, who is a member of the
Republican army. and several local sym
patbizers with the cause.
| The Irish consulate offices are on the
tenth floor of the Temple Court Build
| ing. which Is supposed TO close at 3
! o'clock at night. Informed of this both
Free Staters and Republicans were not
perturbed. Before midnight the cleo
| tricity Is turned off in the building.
| and accordingly Mrs. MacSwiney and
| her fellow Republicans laid in supply
of candles, prepared to wage the fight
all night This proved unnecessary
when those In charge of the building
agreed TO leave the electricity turned on.
At midnight the Free State and Irish
| Republican forces were still camped
peaceably but doggedly in the con-
sulate office. II was an unusual con-
troYersy In that neither side INDUCED
in even hot words. much less blows.
Crawford sat in q chair In the con-
sulate office, Briscoe sat facing him, and
both smoked and chattcd as though
they were not on opposite sides.
IT am here under orders and / shall
| remain, as every soldier on duty should
do" Briscoe declared. II shall STAY
hero until L receive orders to the con-
trary."
Charges by Both Sides.
Briscoe said the Republicans were sim
ply claiming the possessions of the re-
public and the Office has been established
by Republican funds. He said the Con-
suls-General. including Connolly and Nc
Grath. had been appointed by De Valera.
On the contrary, Crawford contended
the designations OF Connolly and Nc
Grath were given to tho Free State.
He said former Consul Fawsitt was now
in the employ OF tho Free State. Craw-
ford kept vigil alone as the only repre-
sentative of the Free state.
When confronted with Ginnells de-
n1and Prof. Smiddy declared the offices
Of the Irish diplomatic mission at Wash
ington would remain in his control as
representative of the Irish Free state
He repudiated De Valcra's claims and
confirmed the action taken by the new
m -reppral Crutufard Eeofh
said they would never yield possession
to Republican agents. He added:
"If necessary. this matter will be car
ried TO the law courts
Mr.. Ginnell was~ accompanied by
Major O'Kelley of the Irish Republican
army and five other irreguars when he
entered the consulate and made his de-
mands. He was later Joined by Mrs.
MacSwiney. Briscoe and other Repub-
leans Ginnell himself did not stay In
the offices last night but remained at
the Imperial Hotel.
Crawford I'm Once n Month.
Lindsay Crawford was appointed Con-
sul-General by the Irish Free state TO
take tho place OF Joseph Connolly. who
resigned about month ago. Daniel J.
McGrath has been acting as Consul a
death threat was received recently by
Mr.. McGrath. 1t charged him with be-
ing morally responsible for the exocu-
tion of Rory O'Connor end three other
Irish Republicans and vas signed Mil
itary Authority. Irish Republican Army"
He was warned to leave the Office by
December &c or he would be shot at
sight.
Justice Mullan in Supreme Court yes
terday granted the application OF Mar
tin Conboy for commission TO take
testimony from Stephen J. o'Mara. i'm
prisoned Irish Republican leader, in con-
nection with the injunction obtained by
representatives of tho Irish Free state
in the supreme Court last summer tying
UP about $2,500, 900 Irish funds on de-
!.