THE IRISH CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 255, 9 August 1933, Page 5

THE IRISH CRISIS

BLUE SHIRTS’ DEMONSTRATION. O'DUFFY WILL LEAD THEM. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP PLANS. (United Press Association —Copyright). (Received This Day, 2.20 p.m.) DUBLIN, August 8. “ I intend to lead the National Guard in the demonstration on Sunday. 1 won’t flinch from that, come what, may.” said General O’Duffy, discussing the likelihood of the Irish Republican Army joining the Communists to prevent the parade. He added that the Blue Shirts were not preparing to engage the mob in conflict. They demanded Government co-operation against a Communist attack. After his tour throughout the country, General O’Duffy claims that 'there is enthusiastic support for the National .Guard, in which he hopes to enrol 100,000. Heartrending .reports of the plight of farmers and business men, and gloomy prospects for the coming winter decided him immediately to operate an associate membership scheme which is likely to exceed tenfold the strength of the National Guard proper before the end of the year. Women’s branches have already been formed but anything pertaining to militarism, is strictly prohibited in them. A boys’ section is being formed. EARLY CLASH INDICATED. THE I.R.A. AND BLUE SHIRTS. - LONDON, August 7. Although the demonstration organised by General O’Duffy to take place in Dublin, in memory of the former leaders Collins, Griffiths and O’Higgins, is still the Irish Government’s chief cause of anxiety, according to the Dublin correspondent of the “Daily Mail,” it is feared that any prominent members of the opposition resisting the attempt to deprive them of their arms may also precipitate the crisis. A clash is apparently inevitable, hut, as an Irishman .said to-day, in Ireland the inevitable never is the unexpected that occurs. The police have received information that the Irish Republican Army will attempt to prevent the parade of Blue Shirts on Sunday, when they will be held up and prevented from reaching the trains which are running to Dublin from every part of the Free State. The activities of the Republican .Army may persuade, the Government to prohibit the parade on the pretext of fears of disorders. General O’Duffy and Mr Ernest Blythe, who have refused to surrender their revolvers, both complain of tho O.G.P.U. methods by which their telephone conversations are tapped. Newspapermen also allege that their conversations with officers and prominent men are systematically tapped. The Dublin correspondent of “The Times” says he expects Mr Cosgrave to raise the question of the recruitfment of an armed force at the meeting of the Dail to-morrow, possibly postponing the adjournment.