ELECTION FEVER

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 87, 6 January 1933, Page 9

ELECTION FEVER

Irish Free State in Grip UNITED OPPOSITION De Valera Victory Possible CONFIDENT FORECASTS By Telegraph—Press Assn.; —Copyright. (Received Jan. 5, 7.30 p.m.) London, Jan. 5. The Free State is in the grip of the election fever. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, Leader of the Opposition, and Mr. A. McDermott, leader of the Farmers’ Party, had a conference, and arranged to avoid split votes in ten constituencies where a clash was likely to involve a de Valera victory, but Mr. Cosgrave admits that it is now too late to form a National coalition. Though it is difficult for Englishmen to believe, there are not a few

good judges of politics, in the Free State who consider a victory for Mr. de Valera possible, even against a united Opposition. Followers of Mr. de Valera are claiming that they will win seventy-nine seats, and are already scorning the necessity of aid from Labour, which held the balance of power in the last Dail. The Irish Labour Party has decided to support Mr. de Valera. "Tactically Mr. de Valera had no alternative to this sudden offensive, says "The Times.” “His campaign may conceivably be successful. The Opposition parties have had no time to reach more than a general understanding. The outcome of the day inay well have an important bearing on the political future of Ireland. The defeat of Mr. Cosgrave might give a great impetus to Republican Separatism.”