DE VALERA REGRETS I.R.A. BOMB METHODS.
SENATE DEBATE. Admits Force Useless In Partition Issue. SENSATIONAL SPEECH. United Press Association. — Copjrigut. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 7. Mr. P. T. Kelly (Independent), referring in the Eire Senate to the Republican Army's ultimatum to Viscount Halifax, regretted that the Government had not issued it. He would like to know Mr. de Valera's attitude. Mr. Kelly read the names of the men remanded in London, and added that if there were many such young men ready to make sacrifices Ireland would be free.
Mr. de Valera sprang a surprise in the Senate later when intervening in the partition debate after the speech by Mr. Kelly. He announced that bills would be introduced to-morrow to provide the necessary powers to enable the Government to maintain its position and authority.
It is iinderstood the Public Safety Act may be revived and the military tribunal restored. The announcement caused a sensation in Dublin, where arrests of extremists are expected to follow immediately. Mr. de Valera began by deprecating Mr. Kelly's reference to the London charges, and said that they could only regret the things happening, which they did not want to happen while the Government was trying to concentrate public opinion on the partition iesue. Then, obviously alluding to the 1.8..A. ultimatum, he said: "There ie another matter which is a definite challenge. No other body has a right to speak for the Irish people but ourselves as the lawful Government. (Loud applause.) "We shall carry out our obligations, and will not allow a situation to develop as on the Continent, where people are being robbed of their freedom." After announcing the legislation Mr. de Valera said that he believed the British people and Government would like to end the partition, the injustice of which would justify force if there was any chance of succeeding, but he knew it would not succeed. He did not advocate the use of force, which would only damage a situation which had been improving. The debate was concluded
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Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 11
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338DE VALERA REGRETS I.R.A. BOMB METHODS. Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 11
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