The Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1922. PROPHETIC MR COLLINS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16754, 8 June 1922, Page 6

The Star. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1922. PROPHETIC MR COLLINS.

The day of the Irish Free State elections is last approaching—polling is to take place on June 16—but the condition of tho country does not encourage the hope that the election of a constitutional Parliament will bring peace. The election is an apology for an appeal to the people, the party leaders having preferred to put. party interests before the good of their country. The unfortunate compact which Mr Collins made with the arch opponent of peace is already having its effect in securing the withdrawal of independent candidates, in spite of the fact that the ‘ agreement provided that every and any interest should b© free to contest the elections with the National Sinn Fein panel. The compact was strangely at variance with the terms of a speech made a month earlier by Mr Collins at Wexford, in which he declared that it was now for the people of Ireland to organise the upbuilding of the nation. “ It is for you to exercise your choice,” ht; said. “No one has a right to dictate to you, still less to threaten you. Mr de Valera’s language has become the language of the despot—not of the avowed despot, but of a more dangerous one; of the despot posing as a greater lover of liberty than other men ; of the despot who shouts the name of liberty louder while he tramples the form of liberty underfoot.” The language of their opponents was the language of treason and not of patriotism. Their existence was threatened now ns no enemy from outside ever had the power to threaten it, and there was grave danger of another long agony before their country, bzought on by themselves. ‘‘ If civil war breaks out—and unless there is an immediate change of tone and tactics it looks as if civil war can only be averted by a miracle—there is little doubt that the British will return, and they would have come back tc restore the order which we would have shown ourselves a- having been unable to preserve.” Mr Collins said that the Orangemen, encouraged by divisions in the South, bad joined in the work of wrecking the Treaty. They had the ground prepared ready to make complete the civil war which they had reason to hope would soon he raging throughout the land. “ Will not Mr de Valera pause and consider where his language, if translated into action —and it is being translated into action —is hurrying the nation? Can he not cease his incitements? Can he not strive to create a good atmosphere instead of seeking ti create a bad one?” ‘ It is only necessary to study the position on the Flster and Free State border to realise that Mr Collins was a better prophet t.ban he knew. Civil war lias broken out. the British troops have been recalled, and the Treaty is in the gravest danger. The Free State Government has been unable to govern and it has compounded with its opponents instead of fighting them. Mr Collins, with all the goodwill in the world, has not been able to impress the authority of the Government on the country. He was faced by a stupendous task, requiring gifts of the highest order, and it is perhaps no wonder that he has failed. The one hope before the people of the Free State is that in the elections they will assert themselves, in spite of their leaders, and cast such a vote for tlie Treaty that the Government will have a firm mandate to go forward and actually govern.