IRISH ELECTIONS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 297, 14 September 1927, Page 11

IRISH ELECTIONS

PARTIES’ PROSPECTS

DE VALERA’S CASUISTRY OVER OATH CAUSES MANY DEFECTIONS Folling in the Irish Pres State takes place to=morrow. If there is a heavy poll, Mr. Cosgrave is expected to have a substantial victory. Mr. De Valera’s casuistry over the oath has caused many defections his party. [)Y TELEGRAPH.— Press ASSOCIATION. Copyright. (Rec. September 13, 7.30 p.m.) Dublin, September 12.

“ 'Rainbow chasers and flappers,’ as the Irish describe .vague idealists and young, unthinking voters, may be impressed by Mr. De Valera’s promise of a new heaven on earth, and the ridiculous fable that British Imperialists are financially supporting Mr. Cosgrave,” says the Irish correspondent of “The Times,” “but the Labourites and Redmondites have lost prestige tlirough their support of De Valera. Two minor parties hostile to the Government have been eliminated. De Valera’s casuistry over the oath has caused many defections, and he has been denounced from many pulpits. If there is a 60 per cent, poll, Mr. Cosgrave is ensured of a substantial victory, but if, owing to the harvest, the electorates are apathetic, and there is only a 50 per cent, poll, the Government majority may be narrow.

“It is hoped that the result will be decisive, because the Free State is tired of political crises, and wants to settle down to business. Mr. Cosgrave chiefly desires a respite from high politics, to enable him to tackle urgent economical problems, notably the high taxation and lack of capital organisation, from which industry is suffering, resulting, in much unemployment in Dublin, Cork, and other big towns; with a high cost of living. Agriculture is also depressed, owing to low prices and lack of organisation, giving Denmark and New Zealand an advantage in the British market. The old doctrine of hatred and distrust of England has lost its appeal, the majority realising the folly of quarrelling with Britain, with whom 84 per cent, of trade is carried on.”—“The Times.” COALITION REGARDED AS INEVITABLE (Rec. September 12, 8.15 p.m.) Loudon, September 13. With the Free State polling on • Thursday, interest in the elections is increasing, but is by no means intense, with few of the scenes usually associated with the Irish hustings. “Our prospects of success could not be- brighter,” said Mr. Cosgrave to a “Daily Express” correspondent at Cork, but while it is not safe to prophesy in Irish politics, Loudon correspondents generally do not anticipate a clear majority of Cosgravians over all the other parties. Some sort of coalition is regarded as inevitable. ProGovernment estimates suggest that Mr. Cosgrave will win ten to twelve extra seats. This, with the aid of farmers and Independents, would give a fair working majority. MANIFESTO BY DE VALERA London, September 12. _ Mr. De Valera has issued a manifesto to the Irish electorate, repudiating his opponents’ allegation against the Republicans of a sinister design aiming at a sudden revolutionary upheaval. If returned, the party would act as a responsible constitutional Government, and would make strenuous efforts to repair the present economic ruin.—A.P.A. and “Sun.” Rugby, September 12. Mr. Hamon De Valera, the Irish Republican leader, in a manifesto issued to-day, declares that his party, “by its recent action in entering the Free State Parlianjent, has already given earnest that, in pursuit of . its ideals, it is prepared to. face and accept existing realities. _lf returned in a majority at the coming election, and entrusted with power, it hopes to prove that hard-headed common sense is not incompatible with true national idealism. The sinister design of aiming at bringing about the sudden revolutionary upheaval with which our opponents choose to credit us is altogether foreign to our purpose and programme. We shall proceed as a responsible constitutional Government, acknowledging without reserve that all authority comes through the sovereign people, and that, before any important step likely to involve their safety is taken, the people are entitled to be taken into the fullest consultation.—British Official Wireless.