EFFORTS TO AVERT CIVIL WAR. When I arrived in Dublin I found that the situation was even more critical that I had expected. The old Republican Army had definitely split into two sections—one the new Free State Army, and the other the I.R.A. The British troops had evacuated Beggar’s Bush Barracks and Wellington Barracks, and handed them over to the Free State troops. The Republicans had seized and fortified the Four Courts as their Headquarters. Similar divisions existed all over the country, though the south was overwhelmingly Republican so far as the Army was concerned. It was clear that at any moment a civil war might ensue. War was in the air. At night there was constant firing, and armoured cars rushed through the streets. I felt almost broken-hearted. Had we stood so loyally together in the past only to turn our arms against each other now? I decided that I at least would not be to blame if fighting broke out. I visited the strongholds of each party in turn to explore the possibilities. I called meetings of the old fighting crowd on each side, but there seemed no chance of any agreement. I then met Sean O’Hegarty (Commandant of the 1st Cork Brigade), Florrie O’Donoghue (Adjutant of the 1st Southern Division), Humphrey Murphy, of Kerry; Tom Hales, of Cork; and Sean Moylan, T.D., all of whom were opposed to the Treaty. After some discussion we decided to meet some officers on the other side in a last effort to find a way out. We met Mick Collins, Dick Mulcahy, Owen O’Duffy, Gearoid O’Sullivan, and Sean Boylan. After a long exchange of views we agreed upon a certain basis of settlement. This we put in writing, and each of us signed it except Sean Moylan. This document was published in the Press on 1st May. I give it here in full:— “We, the undersigned officers of the I.R.A., realising the gravity of the position in Ireland, and appreciating the fact that if the present drift is maintained a conflict of comrades is inevitable, declare that this would be the greatest calamity in Irish history and would leave Ireland broken for generations. “To avert this catastrophe we believe that a closing of the ranks all round is necessary. “We suggest to all leaders, Army and Political, and all citizens and soldiers of Ireland, the advisability of a union of forces on the basis of the acceptance and utilisation of our present national position in the best interests of Ireland, and we require that nothing shall be done that would prejudice our position or dissipate our forces. “We feel that on this basis alone can the situation best be faced, viz.:— “(1) The acceptance of the Pact—admitted by all sides—that the majority of the people of Ireland are willing to accept the Treaty. “(2) An agreed election with a view to “(3) Forming a Government which will have the confidence of the whole country. “(4) Army unification on above basis.”