DE VALERA’S TASK

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 120, 15 February 1932, Page 9

DE VALERA’S TASK

Must* Gain Heavily in Free State Elections CAMPAIGN NEARS END {By Telegraph.—Press Asen.—Copyright.) (Rec. February 14, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 13. At the close of an intensive whirlwind campaign in the Irish Free State, the general feeling is against President Cosgrave getting a clear working majority. The Farmers’ Party virtually bas amalgamated with President Cosgrave, and the Independents are supporting him also, so Mr. de Valera, in order to get a majority over all other parties, must win 20 seats, which is thought to •be impossible under the proportional representation system. The general expectation is that Mr. de Valera will have 62 or 63 seats, or one or two more than President Cosgrave, which will produce a stalemate. Labour in Key Position. In that event President Cosgrave probably will try to force Mr. de Valera to form a Government. This would Involve an agreement with Labour, which thus would hold the balance of power, and the situation Inevitably would precipitate another election in three months. , . Mr. de Valera promises the abolition of the Oath of Allegiance and a high tariff against imports from England. President Cosgrave is appealing ro the sounder elements to uphold the Treaty, emphasising the benefits that have accrued from better relations with Britain, who is Ireland’s best customer. Thankless British Burden. The “Morning Post” says that the supporters of the Fianna Fail think that if the Treaty is destroyed England will return to Ireland, but it is certain that nothing would induce the British people again.to undertake the thankless burden of Irish administration. . , , „ On the other hand, if the Irish Free State destroys the Treaty, Britain will have excellent reason for closing her market to Irish produce. A Dublin message states that in Mr. de Valera’s manifesto to the electors, the first plank in the platform is the elimination of the Oath of Allegiance which deputies and senators are required to take. ■ • Friendly, but Independent. Secondly, he will refuse to hand over to the British Government land purchase annuities amounting to £300,000 a year and also take legal opinion regarding the validity of other payments totalling £2,000,000, the largest item being pensions for the late Royal Irish Constabulary. His policy is to persuade Britain to realise that her best interests will be served if the two countries lived ns •friendly, independent neighbours. '