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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18509, 21 March 1922, Page 4

IRELAND AT THE CROSS ROADS. In the excitement, which Mr de Valera, though a “foreigner,” felt on St. Patrick’s Day, he seems to have revealed his real designs to the 700 members of the Republican Army and the 2000 others who formed an audience addressed by him at Carrick. “If the Treaty is not rejected,” he declared, “it will mean civil war. The Irish soldiery may fight for independence over the dead bodies of the soldiers' of the Government set up by the Treaty supporters.” The Treaty will not be rejected. Therefore, if Mr de Valera has his will there must be civil war. History is full of examples of professing patriots, aided by soldiers of fortune, dragging countries into war and destroying the peoples that inhabited them. There is no ambiguity about this declaration made by Mr do Valera. What he said at Carrick he repeated at Killarney. “If the Treaty is ratified,” h© said, “you who are desirous of achieving freedom must march over the dead bodies of your own brothers. You must wade through Irish blood.” This presages another black hour for Ireland. Her sad plight is a pitiable spectacle, but