THE EXTREMIST LEADER

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 48, 25 August 1921, Page 7

THE EXTREMIST LEADER

ERSKINE CHILDERS, D.S.C,

'' LONDON, 24th August, „ ■The Daily .Express reveals that the leadeT of the Sinn Fein extremists who are standing out for full and final separation is lieut.-Commandev Erskine Childers. He is not an Irishman, but his fanatiqal temperament lias found full scope in republicanism. He is seconded by his wife, a native of Boston, United States, who, though a confirmed invalid, spends her days in the sick bed in a relentless search" for material for Sinn Fein propaganda. The success of her hus-, band's editorship of. the Sinn Fein Julietin is largely due to her zeal. Childers got his chance when Mr. de Valera returned from America to find Mr. Griffiths in prison and other leaders on the run. He quickly gained an ascendency. His faction in the Dail Eireann numbers about fifty, and contains some of the best brains in the movement. Mr. Desmond Fitzgerald, the former editor of the Siim Fein Bulletin, Was a moderate. When lie was sent to prison, Childers took up. the work and spread his gospel of hate agfiinst England into every column. The 'great danger is Mr. de Valera's great misplaced confidence in Childers's political judgment. In short, Childers is the power behind the presidential chair.

[Lieut.-Commander Erskine Childers. (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) served 'in. the European War with the Royal Naval Air Service from January to May, 1916,, and received the Distinguished 'Service Cross. He is the author of a volume of the Times History of the South African War, and of anotheT book on that war; of two on Cavalry; a, well-known novel, "The Riddle of the Sands," and of "The Framework of Home Rule."] '