The Washington times., 1923-04-28
De VALERA
TRUCE IS
IGNORED
Free State Soldiers to Con-
tinue War Better Terms
Are Expected.
BY DANIEL O'CONNELL,
international News Service.

International News Service.
DUBLIN, April %. Com
pletely ignoring Eamonn de Va
lera's armistice proclamation, or
dering the republican irregulars
to cease hostilities at noon Mon
day, Free State military head
quarters continued its activities
today aginst the rebels. Free
State troops in the West and
South we're ordered to continue
their roundup of irregulars and
to attack where the latter offer
resistance.
g Offer ID Discussed.
Home 5Afipister. Kelvin o'Higgins
was expected to give the govern
ment's reply to de vaiera's pro.
posals this afternoon, but 1t was
announced that he was i'll and
would not make any statement.
From semi-official sources it was
learned the minister's illness was
diplomatic rather than physical.
Officials Of the Free State govern.
ment said the cabinet had not for
malIy considered de Valera's peace
offer because it was not addressed
to the Free State government. How
ever, members of the government
have debated 1t informally among
themselves.
IT was considered likely the Free
State would demand the Republican
irregulars lay down their arms be-
fore permanent peace can be dis
cussed.
No Signs of Peace.
There were no signs of peace in
this city throughout the night
Shipping was continuous. At times
the crackle Of rifle fire was broken
by the deeper note of a bomb explo.
sion. So far as known, there were
no casualties.
A band Of nine Republican irregu-
lars surrendered to the Free Staters
in Kerry. Three surrendered at
Cork. Free State troops continue
to make wholesale arrests of ir.
regulars in the western counties.
Some members of the government
feel that II the Free State accepts
De Valera's proposal he will be put
in the position of martyr. Fur
thermore. the suggestion of Frank
Aiken. Irregular chief of staff that
aroused suspicion.
President Cosgrave and Gen.
Richard Mulcahy have told their
government colleagues that they
have the Irregulars beaten in the
field. 1t is regarded as unlikely
that they will allow the insurgents
to retain their arms while getting
breathing spell in peace negotin-
tons. Throughout all western and
southern Ireland 1rregulars have
been defeated and dispersed except
in Kerry and some of the Atlantic
coast mountains.
Expect New Terms.
Belief is prevalent in some quar-
tiers that if the Free State rejects
the present offer, De Valra soon
will come forward with new terms
which will be acceptable.
Free State officials said the gov.
eminent would stand by it's original
terms, which, are:
1.-Republican Irregulars must
lay down their arms, pledge their
loyalty to the Free State govern
ment and promise to conduct their
future political activities along con.
stitutional lines
"A general election will be
held to determine the will of the
people as to the form of govern
ment.
Some Irish newspaper were frank.
ly skeptical of the result of De
Valera offer. They asked if the
Republican chieftain was willing to
accept responsibility for the
slaughter and damage wrought by
his Irregular followers
De Valera is reported to be in
hiding near Dublin alertly watch
ing the effect of his proclamation.