The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-08-15
REBELS
LEADER
FAINT S
Falls Unconscious
on Platform as
Soldiers Sh oot.
to End Meeting
BY GEORGE MACDoNAGH

BY GEORGE MACDONAGH
ENNIS, Ireland, Aug. Is
Eamonn De Valera, arch
rebel of Ireland, surrendered
himself to troops of the Irish
Free State today and was
marched away under arrest
to a military barracks.
Just previous to his arrest
De Valera had tainted and
fallen to the platform from
which he had been address.
ing a political meeting. The
erstwhile president of the
Irish republic" lost conscious.
ness during a stampede oc-
casioned by the appearance
of national troops in an ar.
mored car, who fired yoIleys
over the heads of the crowd.
De Valera had been speaking
about two minutes. addressing a
crowd in behalf OF republican can.
didates UP for election 10 the new
dali eircan, when the troops hove
into sight. The appearance OF the
rebel leaders. whose followers now
are reduced to a mere handful. had
been advertised.
II is not yet known whether the
Free State authorities intend &c
Free State authorities intended to
detain him permanently
The Free State soldiers at
tempted 10 disperse the meeting
by firing repeated vplleys over
the platform.
a stampede ensued. men and
women scrambling wildly TO get out
OF the way. During the height of
the excitement De Valera tainted
1t was at first reported he had been
wounded. Recovering from his faint
after the rush had subsidized. several
OF the crowd being trampled and
bruised. the former president de-
seconded from the platform and sur
rendered to the commander of the
troops. He was last seen under es.
cort, headed for the barracks.
Arrest OF Eamonn de Valera brings
to at least temporary halt the
dramatic career of one who from the
heights of hero worship as Ireland's
hero fell 10 be looked upon as the
country's arch rebel.
Born of Spanish father and az
Irish mother, de Valera was a teach,
er in the University of Dublin before
he took leading role in the fight
for Irish freedom.
During the rebellion OF 1916 do
Valera played prominent part in
activities of the Irish bands thai
were defeated in bloody fighting
Easter week. He became fugitive.
was several times reported slain, but
finally emerged to take the lead lie
negotiations for an agreement with
Great Britain whereby Ireland might
secure measure of freedom.
But when these negotiations failed
to go as far as de Valera, who was
an out-and.out republican, desired
he broke with Arthur Griffith and
Michael Collins and refused to have
any part in formation OF the Free
State Defeated in dali elections. he
became rebel. playing a rather
bombastic and academic part, hunted
by his countrymen.
De Vsleras followers fell away
one by one, Rory o'Connor executed
Erskino Childers meeting the same
fate; others slain in fighting, until
the former president became known
as the phantom rebel and his fol-
lowers reduced to the black women
of the streets, who had lost hus
bands, brothers or sweethearts in the
war for independence. and who fob
lowed de Valera in the Tipperary
hills.
Recently, dc Valera issued state
ment saying that physical warfare
on the part of his followers against
the Free State was at an end. but
that the fight for complete independ.
ence would go on. He had gathered
his adherents for a political came
paign and this was his first public
appearance.