IRISH FREE STATE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17632, 8 December 1922, Page 8

IRISH FREE STATE.

_ ♦— INAUGURATION OF NEW REGIME. HISTORIC CEREMONY IN DUBLIN. IE, CJjlb—Pr«a Association—^ Copynght.) lAmtnuian and S.Z. Cable A-ocMtion.) LONDON, December 6. The King held an historic rnvy Council. at which he signed the proclamation of the Irish Fkcc State and t.he appointment of Mr Timothy Healy as Governor-General. | The "Daily Express's" special cones- j pondent at Dublin says a brand new i tricolour flag over the Government buildings was tb© solo outward sign o the birth of the new State and the be-, ginning of a now era in Ireland s history. The absence of bands, bells, and bunting did not mean a lack of gratitude and goodwill on the part of tho Irish people, but a desire not to paiticipate in rejoicings which might cause trouble. An influential Irishman said: "Freedom comes at last, not blithely and and smilingly, but with a countenance tense and even tragic. We greet her cordially and hopefully, but without exultation." That is Dublin's keynote. That is why this bright December day, heralding Ireland's day of days, found tho citizens mostly following their avocations apparently unmindful of this great historic event. The members of the Dail Eireann were sworn in this evening at Leinster House. The streets leading thereto were specially guarded by Free State troops. Admission was strictly limited and nobody was allowed in the strangers' gallery. Mi William Cosgrave was unanimousi Jy re-sloetcd President, Professor Mioh--1 ael Hayes ..was re-elected speaker, am* | Mr Patrick O'Mally vice-chairman. | Mr T. Healy, Governor-General to tho Free State-, sent a message wishing the people of Ireland, aIJ creeds, classes and opinions, a peaceful Christmas. Mr T. M. Healy was sworn in as Gov-ernor-General of the Irish Free State by the Lord Chief Justice at his residence at Chapelizod. Mr Cosgrave nominated t"he following Executive Council: — Home Affairs—Mr Kevin o'Higgin3. Education —Professor Johii MacNeill. Local Government —Mr Ernest Blytho. Industry and Commerce—Mr Joseph McGrath. External Affairs—Mr Desmond Fitzgerald. . Mr Cosgrave said he did not intend to force unwilling people into the Free State, but ho must not forget there were many in the six counties who wanted, to come in. "We are bound to see that their wishes are respected. That is part and parcel of the Treaty." He paid a tribute to the scrupulous manner in which, the British Government had observed the Treaty in letter and ppirit, not attempting to whittle it down in any way. He read a message of greeting and goodwill from Mr Bohur Law and ,his Cabinet. Among Mr Cosgrave's nominees for the Senate are the Dowager Countess of Desart, the Marquess of Headfort, the Earl of Dunraven, the Earl of Granard, Lord Glenavy, the Earl of Kerry, the Earl of Mayo, the ISarl of Wicklow, Sir Thomas Grattan Esmonde, Sir Nugent Everard, Sir John Keane, General Sir Bryan Mahon, and Sir Horace Plunkett. Mr W. Cosgrove is Minister of Finance and General Mulcahy Minister of Defence. The Republican members of the Dail were absent. Mr Johnson, Labour leader, declared he took the oath of allegiance conditionally that if ever he deemed it wise'to denounce the treaty and amend the constitution, his declaration of allegiance should not bar his freedom of action. "A GREAT ACT OF FAITH." GENERAL SMUTS'S FELICITATIONS. CAPE TOWN, December 6. General J. C. Smuts, Prime Minister, cabled to Mr W. T. Cosgrave as follows: Now that the Irish Free State has come into legal being, I desire, on behalf of the people and Government of the Union of South Africa, to send sincerest congratulations on & great historic event. The treaty of peace between England and Ireland, which has now become law, will not only give added prestige and solidarity to our great commonwealth of free nations, but as a great act of moral and political reparation will have a world-wide influence in the era of intense racial and national passion such as we are passing through. The people of South. Africa have learned i'rom their own history, that a great act of faith such as this justifies itself, in spite of the most formidable difficulties, and they trust and pray that under the new Con•stitution the people of Ireland may achieve peace and happiness and that spiritual union with, the other peoples of the King which is stronger and more lasting than any political union. [General Smuts, who represented South Africa at the Imperial Conference in London last year, played an important part in the negotiations which led' to Irish representatives visiting London and oomernng with Mr Lloyd George and other Ministers. A truce wa3 arranged on July Bth and tin way was open for the negotiations which ultimately led to the signing of the Treaty.] AMERICAN CONGRATULATIONS. NEW YORK, December 6. Tb© Press Tfelcomes tho passing of the Irish Free State constitution Bill, ' and congratulates the Irish and Engj lish peoples upon the cessation of strife [ which has lifted more than a century, j The "New. ork Herald" advises Irel land to look upon Canada and Austrai lia and draw a lee6on from them, j The "New York Times" heralds the

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event as one of the most important, in the world's history, and prints a long poem honouring Ireland. ME OOSGBAVE'S HEALTH. LONDON,' December 6. Mr W. T. Cosgrave has rejected medical advice to relinquish the presidentship and go to the South cf France, though the doctors say he may not live more than a year if he remains in Dublin. Mr Cosgrave Baid: —"They will call me a coward if I give lip now. My work is in Ireland." TAXATION QUESTIONS. LONDON, December 6. The Dublin Commissioners of Excise and Inland Revenue announce that the ! current year's Customs, lixeise and J other taxes in Ireland will not be afj fected by the proclamation of a Free I State. They also announce that shipping between British and Irish porta will continue on the coastwise baeifl. The new regime will not produce double taxation between the Free State and Britain or the Free State and Ulster. SITUATION IN DUBLIN. j PRECAUTIONS AGAINST BEBEL COUP. (Received December 7th, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 7. Dublin this week lias been more imj mune from crime than for months past, i Nevertheless, the best-informed men I are gravely anxious regarding tho imj mediate future. A number of promi- ; nent Republicans have been seen in ; the city, and a coup is feared. Precautions against outrage are widespread. No one is permitted to enter , the Government buildings without being ! searched. Troops are patrolling the j streets.