IRISH KISSES.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1923, Page 4

IRISH KISSES.

CHEERY FAREWELL TO BRITISH TROOPS. EVACUATION SCENES,

DUBLIN, Dee. 18 The evacuation by British troops of the Irish Free State is complete. To-day’s scenes at the departure of tlie last of the British garrison are probably unparalleled in the history of Ireland. They were what one would expect to see at- the entrance of a relief column into a beleaguered city rather than at tlie departure of what General Muleahy, the Free State Coiiiniander-iii-Chiefdescribed as "enemies of the nation.”

As th,' troops inarched to the docks to embark they were met by a storm of cheers. Women rushed forward to kiss them—officers and liu'ii alike—while Iwo old soldiers ran to the Colour party of the Leicestershire Regiment as it marched by and kissed the Colours. All tin- onlookers appeared to have miniature Union Jacks, which they waved, while they cheered and called out "Come hack to us soon.” To-day’s ceremonies have been tlie culminating scenes m the evacuation of the British, troops which has been going on lor some days, and both Genera! Sir Ncvil Macrendy, the British Coiiitiiaiidei-in-Ciiief. and General Mnlcaliv took prominent parts. The Lriiish Genera! Headquarters in Phoenix Park was handed over to the Free Stale. General Muleahy and his stall being present at the ceremony, which really began and elided with the transfer of a whistle by the British sentt-v oil the main gate to the Irish soldier who relieved him. TRICOLOUR HOISTED.

Four [lersotis look pari in this |ui cceding, the two sentries and two non commissioned officers. Ihe t"° M ' ,!

tries faced each other, and on the ol der of bis N.C.O. the Rriti-h sohlic repeated his ]s>.st orders, one being "In ease of emergency to blow m. whistle and alarm the guard,” and saying this, he handed the whistle t t!a- Free Stale soldier and inarched ol al i la- h.-cls ol his superior. leavin;

• lie ,• in-.iat sin control ol what ha keen the heart el the Biilish Army i I The I-'re- l late t riroloui' wa

|,„is|ed over tlie building by Gem fill UiiU-ahv. while a detachment of troops I.j-.'sci! led arms to the luigle-iidl ol Isa-

At ih-- Royal Rnrracks, where the Will - h.i.- Regilltelit had been stalioii-,-d. ilu British and Irish troops cs- , courtesies. Tlie Wilts were dia-.'ii up on parade with relollis (i.ving and ha ml playing «hen a detachment i.i | Stale troops. about IJllld sin,a--, lonne! up ill line aero." ihe .(pilin', with General Muleahy and hi-, si alf in the centre. As Ihe Milts lua iviieil ('lll the Irish troop- present-,-d arms while their eoininainli'r-in- ( hief saluted I lie Bril ish (’uloui 1 1 was when he was alone with his own men that General Muleahy referred to the "enemies of the nation. On the quay, just below the barrack wall lid Imps the most impressive scene ol all took place. Here, standing in tin- muddy road with Ids 'tad d'otH loin. General Maereielv look tin la o -alule of his troops as ti,v; inarrli-(-1. '--nil liaiids playing, lo the docks. AT II IE DOCKS Here hundreds of e.vServire men there was not a regiinetit in the Ih'L lisli Artiiv that "as not repre-i'iifed - ' t heir medals n;t lln-ir hrciisls, ciiCcH-d loudest of all and fell ill Iron! ai'il liehind the troops to accompany tlieni to the transports, ship- in the river took up the general salute, sirens sounded, and log horns boomed as the men made their way 1" the nailing ships. So dense be ie I lie croud -o demons! t-alive were the men and women, that nearing the (lock gates the troops had to proceed in single file and struggle through as bc.st they could, all idea of miotar.' formation being abandoned. ! Lhccrs and naoi were literal!.', buried beneath an avalanche of Lot-ler I- rev, ells | null lie- large number of girl , who forced their nay through (In*

I he \ cry la si man of the Brit : - fore - to eml.sifix" wa - Captain Sh'-p----i.e.lrd, tin- ehiliarkatuui oliii-er. all l and'- I live! I lie lull li.eill s at Xm l : Yt’all, tin- Inst remnant of the Brit i: '■ A'-on's l-i-lding in lii'laud. Ml! II MALY SEES THE KING. Mr Timnihy llealy wa- received in audience hv the King nil Batunlay and

kissed hands upon his appointment as j Governor-General of tlie Irish Free State.

.Afterwards Air Healy told a London Evening News reporter: The King showed a complete acquaintance with conditions in Ireland. His knowledge of the country was reallv remarkable.

remuneration; but it is difficult to find arguments for the others.”