DE VALERA’S ARREST

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 87, 17 August 1923, Page 5

DE VALERA’S ARREST

LATEST IRISH SENSATION. MILITARY INVADE MEETING. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Associationu London, August 16’. Mr de Valera was about to address an open-ai r meeting at Ennis when someone called out “The soldiers are coming.” Immediately a large 'body of-military surrounded die platform and fired several volleys into the a,ir. Mr de Valera threw himself on the platform, A number of women , rathe crowd fainted and several persons*' were crushed and injured in the panic. The, crowd immediately stampeded and dispersed leaving those on the platform, ra tho hands of the military. Mr de Valera, w hen he arrived on the platform, was enthusiastically welcomed by fifteen hunt red people. After the first volley it, was supposed de Valera was wounded. A number of civilians, w*ho lingered near the platform, wore driven .away at the bayonet •‘poirii. The military, with a number of plain-clothes constables, marched de Valera away. The less-fearful of the crowd returned and endeavored to shake hands with him, but the guard pushed them back.

Do Valera reached Clare yesterday, and during tho preceding twentyfour hours troops searched vehicles approaching Ennis from;,, v the surrounding districts.. ip*^. The. news has created 1 a sensation in Ireland, for, none imagined de Valera would now he arrested. Shortly after do Valera began his speech consternation was caused among the crowd., by tho appearance of a detachment of Fred Stale troops with armored cars. The troops surrounded the platform and the crowd shouted “Dp, de Valera.” De Valera made a gesture towards the military, and afterwards collapsed'nn the platform, which wag’’ crowaled. 1 The troops fired in.. the ‘‘ v air and a panic ensued, trie crowd believing de Valera would not be arrested if he took part in the election campaign. Afterwards, however, the contrary was rumored. The meeting w r as widely advertised, but de Valera’s entry into Clare was kept secret. He arrived in an ppen car, accompanied by a priest.

Tlie Government announcement of the arrest contains the text of da Valera's manifestoes and,points out his share in the responsibility for the happenings in Ireland since the treaty was signed. It concludes: “Ho now tries to shelter behind the political campaign, but ho must take his place beside his associates and dupes until all can ho released whli out injury to public sa.f *ty ” - The Dublin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph stated 4 he arrest will probably secure do \ ajyra a seat in Dail Eireann, whi *h he W'O never he allowed to occupy, but ?r other parts of the country it w«J do mucli to restore the prestige of the Government -and materially 'reprove their chances in tie election. Republican headquarters to-night decided to nominate a large number of candidates throughout the country.

REPUBLICAN APPOINTMENTS. (Received 10.55 a.m.) Lone on, August 10Republican Headquarters, publishes an order signed by do Valera, dated August 11, appointing Patrick Puttied go as deputy and acting-president of the Irish Republic.

FATAL MELEE AT KILKEAL. KILLED AND WOUNDED, (Received 12..‘J0 jun.) (Reuter,) Dublin, August 16. The ports of tlio settling down process have been redisturbed by a nv-loc at Kilkeal, near TJnntry, apparently arising out of the troops’ search at a publicliouse dance for suspects. One .civilian was killed, and Lieutenant O’Connolly seriously wounded. Two soldiers and two civilians ware wounded.