" Arson and Murder "

At Ennis, County Clare, Eamon de Valera made a promised appearance at a Sinn Fein election meeting. Sinn Feiners with republican flags in crepe greeted him vociferously. Shortly after his arrival in the town Mr. de Valera started his speech. He had hardly uttered half a dozen sentences when an armored car, accompanied by Free State troops, proceeded to clear the crowd. Shots were fired over the heads of the assembly, who dispersed in panic. De Valera is reported to have dropped at the first shot, although a statement issued by the Free State Government said that only " blank " ammunition was used. Friends tried to rescue their leader. He was pulled from the platform and carried--into the arms of the troops, who arrested him on the charge of arson and murder.

De Valera quickly recovered from the shock he had received and was removed to Limerick jail and later to Dublin. At all times he was heavily guarded.

As soon as the rebel chief had been arrested the Free State Government issued a statement showing the extent of de Valera's guilt in events since the Free State was set up (Jan., 1922). Chief among the accusations : he refused to abide by results of a general election; suggested proclaiming the Dail Eireann an illegal assembly; stated that members of the Government were rebels against Sinn Fein; was concerned in the assassination of Deputy Sean Hales and in the attempted assassination of Deputy Speaker O'Maelle; was responsible for military action undertaken by Sinn Fein; also responsible for wholesale destruction, execution, burning of children of Deputy McGarry, kidnappings, etc.

Despite the following statement of the Free State Government, it is considered unlikely that de Valera will be able to escape trial; he may be executed. The Government statement reads in part:

"He now tries to shelter himself behind the political campaign, but he must take his place with his associates and dupes until such time as he and others can be released without injury to the public safety."

Before setting out for Ennis, de Valera must have had a premonition of his fate, for he appointed Patrick Ruttledge as " Deputy and Acting President." The following statement was issued by Mr. Ruttledge:

"The action of Cosgrave's Government in arresting President de Valera and preventing him from addressing his constituents in Clare shows that their pretense for free speech and free elections is as hollow as their pretense that they represent the people of Ireland, in whose name they have dragged Ireland in the mire.

"The people will not be daunted. They will show that not England, nor any of the tools of England, will deter them from asserting before the whole world their God-given right to freedom.

"People of Ireland, stand fast! Let your watchword be patience and perseverance. The Republic of Ireland lives!"