MICHAEL COLLINS’ DEATH

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1922, Page 3

MICHAEL COLLINS’ DEATH

AUSTRALIAN AND M.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON. Aug 23. The Irish Government has issued a statement on. the death of Michael Collins as follows“ The greatest and bravest of our countrymen has- been snatched from us when victory .smiled through the clouds upon the uprising of the nation, to which he had dedicated nil the powers of his magnificent manhood. He has been slain, to our unutterable grief, but he cannot die. He will live in the cause 1 of the people which he did his best to assert, and which his colleagues undertake, as a solemn charge, to maintain.”

COSGROVE NEW PREMIER. LONDON, Aug. 23. It is thought likely that the power of the Irish Free State will pass into the hands of Mr Cosgrove civilly and those of General Mulcahy militarily. Mr Cosgrove has been one of the Sinn Fein Leaders on the Dublin Corporation. He bad administrative and fnancial capacity, but is not a strong man physically. Tfis repeated imprisonments have affected his health. Mulcahy i s more of a. student than a soldier. However, he has shown himself a strong man. He will be now tremendously strengthened in upholding the Treaty by the resentment and indignation arising out of Michael Collins’ death.

COLLINS’ LAST STAND. I HIS FINAL REQUEST. LONDON, Aug 23. At the time when he met his death, Collins’ party consisted of 20. including General Sean O’Connell. A despatch rider preceded the staff car, and a whippet armoured car followed it. Owing to the obstructions on the main roads, and the destruction of bridges no alternative route was available.

Though a warning had been received that an ambush had been laid and that those in the ambush 'lumbered 200. Collins continued to fire from the ground after the attack opened. ,

In Collins’ last moments, Dalton and O’Connell comforted the dying chief, and whispered tho Prayers for the dying and recited an Act of Contri■feioß. Before requesting forgiveness for the rebels, Collins asked tr he buried in Clasnevin Cemetery, in Dublin, where Griffiths, Parnell, ai d other notable Irish National leaders are- interred.

The body was taken to Cork in an armoured car, and was deposited in Shanakiel Hospital, where Free State Officers formed a guard of honour. Later, a mournful procession to a steamer, headed by the Archbishop of Cork and a large number of priests, moved through the streets, which were lined by troops, and a weeping, wailing multitude. The processions partook of a semi-state character. Distinguished Free Staters acted a.s pall bearers.

The body will lie in State in Dublin and a National funeral will be accorded the dead leader. COLLIN’S BODY GOES TO DUBLIN k LONDON, Aug 23. The body of the late Michael Collins Free State Premier, is being brought to Cork Thence it is proceeding to Dublin by boat, as the railway line between those citicts is torn up.

FUNERAL ON MONDAY. LONDON, Aug 24

Michael Collins’ body lias arrived iu Dublin. Tlie funeral will be held on Monday.

GRIEF IN IRELAND. LONDON, Aug 28. No event in Ireland has stirred the people so deeply as the death of Michael Collins, who was the idol of the country, and a romantic, picturesquefigure. He had come to he regarded as the symbol of Ireland’s young manhood. Collins knew he was threatened, but ha persistently disregarded his own safety. Even after Friday’s abortive attempt ,he declined to shield himself. He remarked:—“lf they want to kill mo they must.’’ Dublin is stricken with grief. Every flag is flying at half mast. The news first stunned, and then infuriated the people. Women wept in the streets. Cork men shook their fists westwards towards where the rebels are in hiding. * Scores of youths no sooner heard the news, than they went to Beggars’ Bush to enlist in the Free State Army.

BRITISH CABINET ATTITUDE. LONDON, Aug 23

The London “Daily Express” states . The British Government' regards Michael Collins’ death, following on Arthur Griffiths" death, as a grave setback to the cause of Irish peace. It had counted on his seeing peace through. Collins, a,s a soldier, was able and determined, to quell the rebellion. Griffith, as a spokesman, was able to build up an administration. Irish peace is again in the balance. When the Free State has cho. s en new leaders .another conference will be ncessary in London, to discuss future ). procedure and policy.’

TRIBUTE TO COLLINS. LONDON, Aug 23. *• Archbishop Duhig, of Brisbane. Queensland, is now in Dublin, and he has sent a message to the Irish Free State Government, saying: “Accept my heartfelt sympathy at the unparalleled tragedy which has robbed Ireland of her bravest son. His name will |,e revered throughout Australia. His death will win millions of friends to the cause for which he died.

REBELS GLOATING. ’Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON. Aug. 24. Rebels kidnapped but later released Collins brother, John. He states they nre boating over having “Done in Mick Collins the w , rJMr .,

HOMICIDAL MANIA. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 24. Bernard Shaw states Ireland is suffering from an epidemic of homicidal mania calling it patriotism. If the shooting of Collins does not turn every sensible Irishmen into a resolute special constable, the country must perish, because if it cannot govern it and selfGovemment will become self-extermina-tion.

Mr Mulcahy lias been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Irish Army.

MR CHURCHILL’S TRIBUTE. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 24. Mr Churchill sent a message of sympathy to Mr Cosgrove paying a tribute to Mr Collins’ dauntless and tense devotion to the country’s cause. He said his death was a heavy blow to the Irish National Government, but he was confident men would be found to fill the gap, and the Irish people riot rest, until thev "’ere master of their own home.

THE POPE’S REGRET. ROME, August 24. The Pope was profoundly moved, and declared the epidemic of political murders shows the necessity for realising that violence would not secure the triumph of any cause. EFFECT OF MURDER.

“ THE TIME** 11 SKUVICE. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 23. A Dublin correspondent says it is difficult to estimate the effect of Mr Collins’ death. It is certain, however, that there can be no further talk of a compromise with the Republicans. The murder will dissipate the last fragment of sympathy for their cause and inspire the last fragment of sympathy for their, cause nnd inspire the Army with a new resolution, and rally the whole foice of national opinion solidly behind the Government. Mr Collins blood will help to cement the foundation of the Free State morally as well as financially and politically. THE FATAL FIGHT. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, August 24. A machine gunner who participated in the fatal engagement, says Collins saw a. sniper creeping upon the party and immediately moved towards him, standing upright and firing a revolver as fast as he could reload. There was a sudden burst of fire from the rebels, and Collins fell. The rebels were using explosive bullets and the wound was terrible. The boys shouted —“Good God, Mick’s been killed.”

Collins replied—No hoys don’t worry about me, fight on. _ Then Collins lay down on the ground firing till his fingers relaxed their hold on his revolver, fifteen minutes after lie was hit.

MOVING SCENES. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, August 24. There were moving scenes during the afternoon in the chapel at St. Vineeut hospital where the body was awaiting removal to the City Rail for lying in state. Relatives and friends were admitted. The lid of tho coffin was removed and the full length figure of Collins was visible. The body had been embalmed anil lies uniformed and splashed with blood from the wound. The hands are clasped on the breast and fingers are entwined in a rosary. Many mourners kissed Collins’ forehead. Sir John H a very stood all day long beside the coffin, painting an histor.e picture of the dead leader. It transpires that Collins’ marriage was originally fixed for the day he was killed, but was postponed owing to the death of Griffiths.

ABOUT COLLINS. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, Aug 24

It is stated in Belfast, that Collins was sentenced to death by the Republican Brotherhood.

A message from Dublin says Collins fiancee was compelled to leave her home at Oranard, Longford, owing to the persecutions of Irregulars and lived for some time in Bangor, County Down, and also at Enniskillen, at which Collins frequently crossed the Ulster border to see her.