A SORRY DAY FOR IRELAND

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16820, 24 August 1922, Page 6

A SORRY DAY FOR IRELAND

The Death of Michael Collins. Tribute From British Premier. By Telegraph—Pros* Association—Copyrirh# Australian and N.Z. Cabl® Assoeiatloa (Received August 24, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The late Mr. Collins was engaged in inspecting the SouthWestern command at the time of his death. It is officially announced that the Dail Eireann will be summoned immediately, probably on Saturday. The Prime Minister, in a message to Mr. W. Cosgrave, acting chairman of the Provisional Government, said: “ I deeply grieve to hear of Mr. Collins’s death. The Free State has lost a fearless soldier and a leader with great energy and devotion. He was a man of remarkable personal charm. Please convey to members of your Government my profound sympathy at the loss of one of Ireland’s sons at a moment when Ireland most needed his special qualities of courage and resolution.” The “Belfast Telegraph” says: “ The blow to the Free State is almost irreparable. Mr. Griffith and Mr. Collins leave no outstanding figure behind them. Ulster will sympathise with the Free State in its trials and its tragedies, which are not due to either England or Ulster, but to Irishmen themselves.”

American Press Tributes. By Tfelerraph —Pre*® Am eolation— Dopyrirht Australian and N.Z. Oabla Aaaociatio*. (Received August 24, 9.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, August 23. The Press is most bitter against Mr. Collins’s assassins. The “ Post” says: “If those who murdered Mr. Collins dealt a sore blow at the Free State, they have completely sealed their own ruin. Ireland will find new unity in the shock of the assassination, which will rally all the elements to the Free State with a new devotion.” The “ Mail ” says: “It is much mistaken in its estimate of the Irish people if the murder does not harden their wills toward ending the revolution.” The “Telegram” says: “Mr. Collins has been as foully murdered as was Sir Henry Wilson. His death is a sorry day for Ireland.”