A chara, - It is not in dispute that Mrs de Valera wrote to the US Ambassador in London, seeking his help for her husband who was a US citizen, when she knew he was in danger of being shot in cold blood, as were the other 1916 leaders who surrendered.
It is not in dispute that millions of Irish Americans felt their blood boil with indignation as the Irish leaders of the Rising, whom they regarded as heroes, were taken out for slaughter day after day. It is not in dispute that the top people in Britain realised that their only hope of beating the Germans in the first World War was to get the support in men and munitions which only the US could give.
It seems likely that these top people would have had the wit to realise that shooting in cold blood a US citizen, regarded as a hero by so many Americans, would not increase British popularity in the US. An obvious move was to delay de Valera's trial and to link it with that of a minor rebel, and then to reprieve them both which is what they did. - Is mise,
Mooreen,
Clondalkin, Dublin 22.