FREEDOM FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 9

FREEDOM FIRST

DE VALERA'S IRELAND

RELATIONS TO EMPIRE

BRITAIN SEEN AS INVADER

NOT THEIR MOTHER COUNTRY,

United Press Association—By Electric !«!••

crapli—Copyrlcbt. '.(Received April 9, 11 a.m.) ■ LONDON, April 3. Mr. Eainon- de Valcra, in a special interview with the "Sun-Herald, representative, disclosed his aims for the future relationships between the Free State and the other members of the British Commonwealth. The interviewer asked what could the' Dominons expect that his Government's attitude would be towards relationships, say, with Australia on the attainment of the objective of complete Irish independence. -

Mr. de Valera replied: "I am sincerely and genuinely anxious to secure good relationships with all, States of the British Commonwealth. There is much in common to draw us together in free association. .Ties of kindred and common interests merit recognition. All this, nevertheless, is secondary. Our paramount aim is to obtain real independence. Our people have struggled for it for over seven centuries, and will not rest until they are successful. If we are not allowed independence without completely severing relations with the countries of the Commonwealth, then we are prepared foir that.

I "Australians and Canadians find a difficulty in understanding our | attitude, because their past relations [ with Britain have been different from ours. Canada and Australia are pre? [pared to regard Britain as their | Mother Country, but to us Britain has jbeen an invader who centuries ago i robbed us of national sovereignty, j and has since resisted our efforts to regain it. We are not bound to Britain by any ties of filial regard. We 'regard ourselves as much as a mother country as is Britain. That is proved by the multitude of Irish-! men not only in the United States,, i but also in Australia and Canada. jThe fact that so many Irishmen have 'settled in the United States and the Commonwealth is one of my reasons for believing that once our independence is accepted a practical scheme of association and co-operation in matters, of common interest, obviously; including trade and defence, could.be worked out."