IRELAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 25 August 1922, Page 5

IRELAND

DEATH OF MR.'COLIM

dunlin stricken with grief

THE PEOPLE INFURIATED

(By Eiecuac .telegraph—UujAriglitj (Auat-rttliaa and Cublfc .A&aociAtion)

LONDON, August 23. The Irhh Government issued a statement: "The greatest- ami bravest of our countrymen has been snateneU from us when victory smiled through the clouds upon the rising of the nation to which lie had dedicated all tnc power of his magnificent manhood. Menas been slain, to our unutterable ..[■j,.)' )mi he cannot die. He will h\c in the 'cause of the people which ho did Ids best to assert, and which Jus colleagues undertake as a solemn charge to maintain. . No event in Ireland has Dared the people so deeply as the death ot Mr vjollius, who was the idol of the country and a romantic and picturesque limim He had come to be regarded as ii,o svinbol of Ireland's young manhood. Mr Collins knew he was threatened but he persistently disregarded his own safety. Even after Friday s abortive attempt ho declined to shield himself. He remarked “if they want to kill me they must.” _ Dublin is stricken with gnel. Evei} flag is Hying at half mast. The news at first stunned, then infuriated the people. Women wept- in the _ streets of Cork and men shook their fists westwards towards where the rebels are hiding. Scores of youths no sooner heard the news than they went to Bermnr’s Bush to enlist in the Free L,, 'OO a State army. , , , The body of Mr Collins was brought to Cork, and is proceeding to Dublin by boat, as the railway is torn up. ‘it is’-thought likely that power in the Free State will pass to the hands of Mr Cosgravc for civil administration and to Mr Mulcahy lor military matters. Mr Cosgravc was one of the Hum Fein leaders in the Dublin Corporation, and has administrative and financial capacity, but is nut strong physically, his repeated imprisonments uaving affected Ins health. Mr Mul(jthy is iiiovo n student tluin 11 solditnHowever, he has shown himself a strong man, and lie will bo tremendously strengthened in upholding the Treaty by the resentment and indignation arising from Mr Collins’s death.

Archbishop Duhig, who is now m Dublin, in a message to the Goverriment, says“ Accept xny heartfelt sympathy in the unparalleled tragedy which has robbed Ireland of her bravest son. His name is revered throughout Australia. His death will win millions of friends to the cause for which he died.” SETBACK TO IRISH PEACE LONDON, August 23. The Daily Express states that the British Government regards Mr Collins's death, following \on Mr Griffith's death, as a grave setback to the cause of Irish peace. It had counted on his seeing the peace through. Mr Collins as a soldier was able, and determined to quell the rebellion. Mr Griffith, as spokesman, was able to build up the administration. Irish peace is again in the balance When the hreo State has chosen ifs new leaders a conference ■will be necessary in ixmdon to discuss future procedure and policy.

AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT

NEW YORK, August 24. Horror and sorrow at Mr Collins s death appear universal, although there are some supporters of the Irish Republic in Boston and Chicago who defend the assassins. The newspapers eulogise Mr Collins and condemn, his raurdoiers. The New York Times says: It is nek a wicked spell laid on Ireland, but (lie mad endeavours of a small faction of people that will ruin the country if they cannot rule it. Ultimate responsibility rests on de Valera and the j few other leaders of the insurgents, j The Herald says: “If Mr Collins’s dent'- should arouse the Irish people, to a sense of what, Mr Collins won for) them .and quell the fever that reigns m Ireland then the gallant captain will have added in death to the great good he wrought in life.” The Tribune declares; “The murder of Mr Collins is bound to cripple the already weakened Pi'ovisional Government, but it is certain to re-act so strongly against the republicans that they will have no further political standing in Ireland.” The World says: “Whatever little sympathy was left for Hie republicans hopeless cause is alienated completely and for ever. ’ WARNING OF AMBUSH The party consisted of twenty, incluring General Sean O’Connell. A despatch rider preceded the staff car and a whippet armoured car followed. Owing to obstructions bn the main roads and the destruction of bridges no alternative route was available, though a warning had been received that an ambush was laid and that the ambushers numbered two hundred. Mr Collins continued to fire from the ground after the attack opened. In Iris last moments Generals Dalton and O’Connell comforted the dying chief, whispered prayers for the dying and recited the act of contrition.

Before requesting forgiveness for the rebels Mr Collins asked .to be buried in Gla&ncvin Cemetery, Dublin, where Messrs Griffith and Parnell and other notable nationalists are interred.

The body was taken to Cork in an anr.oured car and deposited in Shanakicl hospital, where officers formed a guard of honour. The mournful procession to the steamer was headed by an archbishop a iu! a large number of priests. It moved through streets lined by troops and a weeping and wailing multitude, and partook of a seini-State character. Distinguished Free Staters acted as pall bearers. 'Die body will lie in state in Dublin and a national funeral will he accorded the dead loader, FUNERAL ON MONDAY LONDON, August 24. Mr Collins’s body arrived at Dublin. The funeral takes place on Monday. LONDON, August 24, Mr Bernard Shaw states that Ire-1 land is suffering from an epidemic of homicidal mania, calling it patriotism. If the shooting of Mr Collins does not If one© used, yon will always insist on Sander and Sons’- Eucalypti Extract., because it is the pnVe, etherial extract of the eucalypt. Sander and Sous' Eucalypti Extract wards off influenza, pord throats, coughs and colds, and protects 1 from infectious diseases Insist' ioa .the genuine Sander’s |f.xtract. *hd'

turn every sensible Irishmen into a’ resolute special constable the country must perish, because if it cannot govern itself no power on earth can govern it and self-government will become self-extermination • Mr Mulcahy has been appointed Coinmander-iii-Cbief of the Irish army. REBELS GLOATING OVER THEIR ACT LONDON, August 24. Rebels kidnapped but later released Mr Collins’s brother John, who states rhat they arc gloating over having “done in Mick Collins, the traitor.” PERSECUTION OF FIANCEE LONDON, Aug. 24. It is stated in Belfast that Mr Collins was .sentenced to death by the Repub lican Brotherhood. A message from Dublin says Mr Collins's fiancee was compelled to leave her home at Granard, Longford, owing to the persecutions of irregulars and lived for some time in Bangor. County Down, also at Enniskillen, at which Mr Collins frequently crossed the Ulster border to sec her.

SYMPATHY FROM MR CHURCHILL

LONDON. Aug. 21

Mr Churchill sent a message of sympathy •to Mr Cosgrove, paying a tribiuo to Mr Collins’s dauntless and in- 1 'fo devotion to his country’s cause. He said his death whs a heavy blow to t ,e Irish National Government, but he was confident men would be found to fil ibo gap, and the Irish people won d lot rest until they were master of their u-.n house.

POPE PROFOUNDLY MOVED

ROME, Aug. 24,

The Pope was profoundly moved, *'i.l declared that the epidemic of political murders shows the necessity In' lalising that violence would not mmiv the triumph of any cause. NO COMPROMISE LONDON, H tg 23. A Dublin correspondent s.’ s it is difficult to estimate f lic effect r.f Mr Collins’s death. It is certain, however, there can be no further talk of a compromise with the republicans. The murder will dissipate the last fragment of sympathy for their cause, and inspire the army with new resolution, rallying tlm whole force of national opinion sclidly behind the Government. Mr Collins s blood will help to cement the foundation of the Free State, morally, is v.tll as financially and politcally.

A MACHINE GUNNER’S ACCOUNT

LONDON, Aug. 24

A machine gunner who participated in the fatal engagement, says Mr Collins saw a sniper creeping upon the party, and immediately moved towards him. standing upright and firing his revolver as fast as he could reload. There was a sudden burst of fire from the rebels, and Mr Collins fell. The rebels were using explosive bullets, and the wound was terible. The boys shouted, “Good God. Mick’s been killed !” Mr Collins replied: “No, boys; don’t worry about me. Fight on.” Then Mr Collins lay down on the ground, firing till his fingers relaxed their hold on his revolver, fifteen minutes after he was hit.

MOVING SCENES

LONDON, Aug. 24,

There were moving scenes during the afternoon in the chapel at St. Vincent’s Hospital, where the body was awaiting removal to the City Rail for lying in state. Relatives and friends were admited. The lid of the coffin was removed and the full length figure of Mr Collins was visible. The body has been embalmed and lies uniformed and splashed with blood from the wound. His hands are clasped on his breast, and his fingers entwined round a rosary. Many mourners kissed Mr Collins's forehead. Sir John Lavery stood all day long beside the coffin, painting the historic picture of the dead leader. It transpires that Mr Collins’s marriage was originally fixed for the day ho was killed, but was postponed owing to the death of Mr Griffith.