I, Cosgrave

Courtesy and convenience have shortened to "President" the title commonly affixed to William Thomas Cosgrave of the Irish Free State. Last week, as he terminated his U. S. visit (TIME, Jan. 9 et seq.) and prepared to sail from Manhattan on the White Star liner Olympic, Mr. Cosgrave frankly said about his title what is known to every Englishman but perhaps not to every Irishman.

Said he: "To call me President of the Irish Free State is wrong. I am the President [Prime Minister] of the Executive Council [Cabinet]. . . ."

Interjected a curt newsgatherer: "Is your position the same as that of the Prime Minister of Canada or Australia or South Africa in your relation to the British Government?"

Stoutly replied Mr. Cosgrave: "It's stronger. The Dominions are coming around to our way gradually but we have a measure of authority now that they have not--officially. I'm the Prime Minister of the Free State and as such the titular head of the state. The Governor-General is appointed on my advice. He is merely the ceremonial representative of the British King. I come up for election in the Dail [the lower house] and have to be approved by the Seanad [the Senate]. Then I appoint my ministers and they are approved in the same manner as I am approved. England has no voice or part in the selection of either myself or my min-isters."