ECHO OF EXECUTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 46, 26 February 1935, Page 6

ECHO OF EXECUTION

SINN FEINER’S LAST LETTER EFFORT TO SECURE DELIVERY POLLUX CHIEF AND DE VALERA Through a police chief's goodwill a letter written uy a man just before his execution IS years ago may at last be restored to the person to whom it was addressed. Shortly before Christmas, Capt. Athelstan Popkess, .Chief Constable of Nottingham, sent to Mr. de Valera, President of the Irish Free State, the last letter of one of the Sinn Ferners who were executed for their share in the 1916 rising. Capt. Popkess also sent the following covering letter to Mr. de Valera: •‘My dear president,—During the postwar troublous times in Ireland, 1 was in Ireland with, my regiment, during which, if 1 remember rightly, my duties included a hunt for yourself. Probably the most repugnant duty of the soldier is the carrying out of raids upon civilian housenolus. During one of these 1 came by the last letter of a patriot written before bis execution. To-day, when going through an old box J discovered it. ‘•This is the season of peace and goodwill, Mr. President, and 1 return Houston's letter in that spirit for disposal as you may think lit. May 1 also hope that this action may help to promote a better feeling between laces who, though secretly admiring each other, have tragically misunderstood each other for so long I ’ The chief constable received Ihe following- letter in reply:—Dear Sir,— 1 have received your letter and enclosure, for which Jam vtjry giateiu . , too, look forward to the establishment of relations of cordial friendship between our two peoples, and 1 am glad to have evidence that there are Englishmen of the same mind. 1 shall endeavour to trace Mr. Walsh (mentioned in the letter), to whom Sean Houston's letter was addressed, and restore the precious document to him. Wishing vou a very Happy Christmas end New Year- —Yours sincerely, Kamen <b- Valera.’’ The letter which the chief constable sent to Mr. de Valera was as follows:--“Kilmainham Prison, Sunday, May 7. 1916. “Dear Mr. Walsh,—Before this note reaches you I shall have said farewell to this vale of tears, and have departed