ABSTRACT
In 1919, the Dail forms from an election giving Irish nationalists and Sinn Fein a massive majority. Ireland is declared an independent nation, and de Valera announces that a National Loan would be raised for the new state to have finances. Collins, as Dail Minster of Finance, organises the selling of Loan bonds from the population and the collection of the donations. By superb organisation he creates a national network of sellers and collectors, uses skilful methods in advertising the loan and excels in donor targeting. The British authorities, after initial complacency, attempt to prevent the Loan. They proscribe the Loan and it is made illegal to advertise, sell or purchase Loan certificates, or to facilitate the Loan in any way. Draconian measures enforce this proscription. Collins counters by methods in advertising and collecting in secret and he proves masterly in his methods of concealing, moving and safely storing the illicitly collected funds.
Given the herculean nature of the task, the forces and powers ranged against him, the successful collection of over •3 million pounds from the population of Ireland is a remarkable achievement. The new Irish state now has a Treasury – and a war chest – for financing political violence.
