Evening star., 1945-06-25
New Fire President,
linguist, Diplomat,
Takes Office Today
BY the Associated Press.

DUBLIN, June 25.-Eire, admit
tedly facing a difiicult task in mov-
ing to place in the postwar world
beside nations hardened by war, has
chosen her best known rowing am
bassador" as the front man.
Ireland's president-elect. Sean
Thomas O'Kelly, an amiable silk
hated little man with a big smile,
unquestionably is the most Travelled
and the best linguist among Irish
politicians.
And for Job that is more an
honorary position than anything
else. Mr.. O'Kelly has been well
trained during a 4o-year political
career. He was among the original
leaders in Ireland's night for inde-
pendence and was the Irish Re-
public's "unofncial" delegate to the
peace conference after the World
War.
Since then he has appeared as a
sort OF Irish missionary in visits to
capitals throughout the world, in
cluding Washington, Rome. Paris
and Ottawa.
The 62-year-old OKelly takes Of
nee today as staunch supporter of
Premier Eamon de Valera. They
have been political associates since
they took part in the 1916 Easter
rebellion and both served time in
British jails.
Long in Cabinet.
During the l3 years of De Valeras
government Mr.. O'Kelly has served
as education minister, finance min
lister and was deputy prime min
ister at the time OF his election to
the presidency.
Political cartoonists take delight
IN depicting the lanky De Valera
and short oKelly as the Irish
Mutt and jeff"
Mr.. O'Kelly's stormy political
career is in sharp contrast to that
OF the man he succeeds, 73-year -old
DR.. Douglas Hyde. better known as
scholar in Irish history, poetry
and folklore than for the minor role
ne played in politics as a member
Of the Senate.
DR.. Hyde was a unanimous choice
OF all parties for the presidency
seven years ago. but Mr.. O'Kelly
won his post only after a hard
fight. With the backing of Premier
de Valera's powerful Fianna Fail
machine, Mr. O'Kelly beat two op-
ponents who accused the premier
OF trying to establish a complete
political dictatorship"
DR.. Hyde is a Protestant. Mr..
OKelly is devout Catholic. In
1888 he received from the Pope the
Grand Cross Of the Order Of st.
Gregory the Great.
Mr., OKelly shares with his prede-
cessor q scholarly interest In Irish
history and Irish language. He
was general secretary OF the Gaelic
League from 1918 to 1920. He speaks
a halt dozen languages in addition
to English.
Began As Clerk.
Mr.. O'Kelly began his career as a
clerk in a British government office
and later became policeman, SOL
dier, journalist and politician.
While personally of mild DISPOSE
ton, Mr.. O'Kelly is an iInpassioned
orator. Even his political foes con-
cede he blunted their arguments
during rows when Mr.. OKelly was
speaker of the Dali tIrish Parlia-
ment1 There MAS Y3evsr ,1,,,rh hit
terness in his own campaigns.
Mr.. OKelly leads a quiet, re-
tiring life. He Is related by mar
riage to Richard Mulchay of the
opposition Fine Gael party. Their
wives are Ryans-sisters who hold
in Irish politics q place similar to
that Of the Soong sisters in China.
After his first wife, a Ryan, died
In 1884, Mr.. O'Kelly married her
sister, who was the only woman
public analyst in Ireland. The