The Indianapolis times., 1923-05-01
DE VALERA REACHES CRISIS OF HIS CAREER
WIZ He EockCoated Politician Continue Rebel Leader?
Erin'S Most Romantic Figure
in LimeIight Following
Peace Move,
BY MILTON BRONNER
NEA Serrice STAFF Writer

II UBLIN, May If a truce is
signed in Ireland between the
- Republican insurgents and the
constituted authorities, Elrin's most
romantic figure may be changed over
night into an everyday frOck-cOated
politician and ex-professOr.
But the truce is not yet here and
cannon De Valera today is the most
hunted man in Ireland-though he
styles himself president Of he Irish
republic issues proclama1ions and
give out interviews.
Nobody knows where DE Valera is.
His headquarters are where he hangs
his hat-and sometimes he is hat
| less!
His capital Is where he happens to
be-and he is never in the same place
more than a few hours.
He has a cabinet-but the members
are rarely, If ever, with him. He has
an army of irregulars-but they sell
dom see their chief
He is likely TO drink his breakfast
| coffee in one village and eat his
/ breakfast bacon in another, Between
times he has had narrow escape to
whet his appetite
He's Really Hunted
The fact is for the first time in his
/ life De Valera is the object of really
stern hunt. Irishmen are after him as
/ Britons never We're.
/ His adventures as a wanted man
| began in 1913 when British authorities
/ locked him up. He was transferred to
/ Lincoln prison in England.
One morning early in 1919 all Bri-
tain was fabbergasted when De Va
| Iera. escaped. He returned to ireland
and in the late spring made a tour Of
! America in the interests Of his cause
/ He did not return to Ireland until
| Christmas. 1920. so that he was out Of
ireland eighteen months out of the
! two years Of the Black and Tan terror
British Lukewarm
It was always said in London the
British knew exactly where to find
De Valera. but didn't want to arrest
I him At that time they were more
anxious to lay hands on Michael Col
Inns. chief lighting man Of the cause
After the formation Of the Irish Free
state and after real hostihties began
/ between the establish Irish govern
ment and the irrcSulars a real hunt
was instituted for De Valera.
/ 1t was felt by the Free State au-
/ tllorities that if they could lay hands
on him the remnants Of resistance 10
the government would collapse.
But so far all their efforts have
/ been in vain 1t is said DE Valera is
constantly surrounded by small but
very efficient bodygUard OF youths.
every one of whom is armed to the
/ teeth and is a dead shot.
! The other important link in his per
sonal machine Is a large body Of de
voted women. the most ardent repub-
Hcans Of ireland It is through them
/ tht all communication is had with
/ De Valera
Two Close ShaveS
I heard Of two instances. Late last
year a little residence i'm a prim little
/ Dublin street was raided by soldiers.
In a back room they found & couple
! of mems hats. one belonged to De
Valera. And the hatband was still
warm!
The other escape occurred about a
month ago. Some troopers learned
De Valera was i'm a farmhouse. After
dusk. rifles i'm hand. they set OF down
tho country foad 90 surround the
place. Al one point they heard a
eight lustHng IN a hedge