Irish Election

The elections for the next Bail Eireann held in Ireland were said to be the most un-Irish in history. With few exceptions, there was no violence, no laughter on Election Day; the Emerald Isle was plunged into a strange and incomprehensible peace, which seems to have staggered the Irish themselves. It was a "model election."

In the absence of reliable figures, final results are not known. But it seems certain that the Government Party will capture about half the seats, which number 153.

Before the election the Republican Party published its platform. They would: Administer public services, seeing that nobody is unjustly treated, abolish murder gangs, show no vindictive spirit, permit no flogging or tortures.

Reform the present burdensome, expensive legal system, restore trial by jury, abolish secret military courts, complete land purchases, foster industry and land reform and education, abolish censorship of the press.

Offer England not allegiance but peace based on the sovereignty and integrity of the Irish nation that " will remove from her any pretext for making war on Ireland."

Offer to Northeast Ulster a peace based on local autonomy. Wipe out internal dissension and bitterness. Achieve real peace. Sir Alfred Cope, ex-Under Secretary for Ireland, in Manhattan to arrange for the visit of Mr. Lloyd George this month, said of Ireland: " Ireland is coming along very well. The most important thing I see in the situation at present is the indication that the old antagonism between the North of Ireland and the South is dying out. . . . With Craig at the head of the Government in the North, and Cosgrave directing things in the Free State, Ireland has two able, level-headed men in charge of her destinies. " I hardly think that De Valera will be executed. . . . He is no longer the leader he was some time ago. His following fell off considerably and at present he has very few, outside of Mary MacSwiney and several other women agitators and a few of the adherents who have been with him from the start. . . It is time there was peace there, for the devastation and revolution cost Ireland about 40,000,000 pounds sterling." It became known, paradoxically enough, that the whereabouts of Eamon de Valera were unknown. The discovery was made by the anxious Mrs. Eamon de Valera, who went to visit her husband at Mount Joy prison, Dublin. Her husband's presence there was denied. Later she sent a wire to the Adjutant General : " Please inform me of the whereabouts of my husband." She received no reply. The first anniversary of the death of Michael Collins,* First Commander-in-chief of the Free State Army, was celebrated by an impressive ceremony in Dublin. Five thousand troops were assembled in Phoenix Park when President Cosgrave handed to General McMahon, Chief of Staff, a flag which had been blessed by Dominick Ryan, Chaplain of the Griffith Barracks. Aeroplanes took part in the celebration and there was a highly impressive march through the city.