DISASTER FOR IRELAND

Waikato Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2588, 24 August 1922, Page 5

DISASTER FOR IRELAND

MR MICHAEL COLLINS KILLED A NATIONAL LOSS (By Cable —Press Association). LONDON, August 23. Michael Collins, the virtual leader of the Irish Free State since the death of Mr Arthur Griffith, was ambushed and killed at Band on, 18 miles south-west of Cork, to-day. DAIL EIRANN SUMMONED (By Cable —Press Association). (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. Mr Collins was engaged in inspecting the south-western command. It is officially announced that the Dail Eirann will be summoned immediately, .probably on Saturday.

PRIME MINISTER’S TRIBUTE PRESS OPINIONS AN IRREPARABLE BLOW (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. The Prime Minister, in a message to Mr Cosgrove. (Acting Chairman of the Provisional Government), said: “I deeply grieve to hear of Mr Collins’ death. The Free State has lost a fearless soldier, a leader with great energy and devotion, a fid 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 the moment Ireland most needed his special qualities of courage and resolution. ’ ’ The Belfast Telegraph says the blow to the Free State is almost irreparable. Messrs Griffith and Collins leave no outstanding figure behind them. Ulster will sympathise with the Free State in its trials and tragedies, which are not due to either England or Ulster, but to the* Irishmen themselves. NEW YORK, August 23.

The press is most bitter against Mr Collins’ assassins. The Post says: “If those who murdered Mr Collins have dealt a sore blow at the Free., State, they have completely sealed itheir own ruin. Ireland will find new unity in the shock of the assassination, which will rally all elements to the Free State with new devotion. The Mail thinks it is much mistaken in its estimate of the Irish people if the murder does not harden wills toward ending the revolution. A telegram says Mr Collins has been as foully murdered as Marshal Wilson. His death is a sorry day for Ireland.