CONTRARY VIEWS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 293, 6 September 1932, Page 9

CONTRARY VIEWS

Anglo-Irish Dispute HEAVY ECONOMIC BLOW De Valera Sure of Victory By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyrirht. (Rec. September 5, 7.45 p.m.). Dublin, September 5. While Dr. J. Ryan, Minister of Agriculture, was telling a gathering at Cashel that the Government was in a strong position and had no doubt abouj winning the dispute with Britain despite the people’s present sufferings, Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, at Trim, declared that Irish agriculture was never In such a position as at present. “Nothing done by William, Mary, Elizabeth, or Cromwell struck such a blow at Ireland economically as the present Government,” Mr. Cosgrave said. “Britain wishes to live in peace with us and the conflict should be brought to an end." Mr. P. Hogan, former Minister of Agriculture, said that the Free State was very near bankruptcy. He believed there was more real political and economic independence for the Free State within than outside the Empire. LAND ANNUITIES Strong Critic 'of De Valera Official Wireless Rugby, September 3. Mr. Desmond Fitzgerald, a member of the late Administration of the Irish Free State, strongly criticised Mr. de Valera’s attitude toward the land annuities in a speech last night. He said that the late Government bad consistently urged negotiation, realising that the Free State had not a legal case for the retention of the land annuities. Hitherto Mr. de Valera’s argument had been that there was a legal right for such retention. If that argument were sound, the Free State should endeavour to have the matter tried by a judicial tribunal. The Government, however, was now showing a preference for negotiations, and the only reason that could justify such an attitude was that the Ministers were satisfied that there was no legal case. If that was so, the Irish people had a right to know it. DE VALERA’S POLICY A Workers’ Republic London, August 22. “It will be grand in Ireland in a few months’ time,” is the typical comments, of spendthrifts and weaklings, who dream of the Government starting village Industries which will benefit those hitherto unable to succeed, says the Dublin correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian.” Such a development is anticipated as part of Mr. de Valera’s projects for an economic revolution to produce independence and economy based on Christian principles. .. . . Mr. de Valera’s gospel, beside raising the hopes of the “have notes” and small farmers, appeals also to the bolder spirits of the Irish Republican Army as a more or less general redistribution of property and repudiation of debts to bankers. On the other hand, property owners 'see what so-called “financial indepeudV ence,” implemented under the direction of local I.R.A. dictators, would mean for them. Consequently they are determined to prevent it—hence Mr. O’Higgins’ formation of the volunteer organisation, and the support which the “white army” is receiving. > It Is idle to suppose that the “white' and the “red” armies can exist alongside each other without dangerous clashes, as the I.R.A. will not abandon its projects without a tough struggle. Already reports are coming in of sporadic Incidents suggesting that constitutional authority shortly will be challenged in the name of the Workers’ Republic. Such incidents are expected to increase when the strain of the economic war grows in the autumn and winter.