IRISH ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17855, 30 August 1923, Page 9

IRISH ELECTIONS.

| MINISTERS RETURNED. REPUBLICANS "SWAMPED." ("CASLS—ra*es inoctrno*—cop-nuauT.) UtrsTnuur **d i.l casli association.) LONDON, August 28. The early returns of the Irish Free btate election indicate the return of Mr W. T. C-osgrave (President of the Dail Eireann), Mr Keviu O'Higgins (Minister of Home Affairs), General Richard Mulcahy (Minister of Defence), and Mr E. McNeill (Minister of Education). It is estimated that between 60 and 70 per cent, of the Irish electors voted. Reports from Clare are contradictory, but it is believed tliat do Valera was strongly supported. The rebel leader, Aitken, has been elected Later. Mr Kevin O'Higgins and General i Richard Mulcahy headed the polls in Dublin by overwhelming majorities. Mr Desmond Fitzgerald, Minister for External Affairs, is also sure of election for Dublin County. Mr O'Higgins, interviewed, said the Republicans had been swamped. Ho would be surprised if twenty were returned.

MR COSGRAVE TO VISIT ITALY. (ingTaALiur JJTD H.Z. CABUI issociatiov.) ROME, August 28. It is announced that Sir W. T. Cosgrave, accompanied by Free State officials and church dignitaries, will \ isit Bobbio on Saturday and take part in tho festivities commemorating the foundation of the local monastery by Saint Columba, who was born in Ireland and died in Italy. Mr Cosgrav© afterwards will visit the principal' Italian cities and will probably have an audience with the Pop©.