PADDY THE REPENTANT

After a long and bloody running fight of guerilla warfare, dynamiting, burning and wrecking, Eamon de Valera has at last thrown his cards upon the Free State table. How this man, often reported captured or wounded, has eluded the government's grasp so long and fought on against ever increasing odds passes comprehension. Whether his object was dictated by mere selfish ambition or by fanatical zeal, even those who have no liking for him must pay some respect to his stubborn courage. But he has now withdrawn his foreign ambassadors, proclaimed a cessation of hostilities, and produced his conditions of surrender so that Ireland can at last heave a vast sigh of relief.

Yet even in defeat de Valera intends to conduct a dignified retreat. He will have no "unconditional surrender." From the midst of the wreckage of his party, he proclaims once again the same principles which the Free State has rejected and which have embroiled the torn island for so long. This may be a gesture to save his face with his followers or the invincible cry of the fanatic whose "head is bloody but unbowed." But in any case his terms are impossible of acceptance.

No matter how the Free State govern-men may reply, however, the sun of rebellion is almost set. De Valera was the back-bone of the resistance and he has given up the fight; although it will doubtless take some time to clear the Irish fortresses of the irregular bands which are its plague spots. On the very day following that of the cessation of hostilities, the Dublin Railway station was blown up and a score of people injured; but from now on the Free State will have a fresh lease on life. It has recently applied for admission into the League of Nations and if it employs a policy of conciliation toward its rebellious subjects, it may well gain a position in international respect which it has never before held.