BASES IN EIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 113, 8 November 1940, Page 8

BASES IN EIRE

BRITISH SUGGESTIONS

MR. DE VALERA FIRM

NO USE ON ANY TERMS

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Received November 8, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, November 7. Replying to suggestions of Britain's need of bases in Eire to combat enemy U-boats, Mr. De Valera, speaking in the Dail, said:— - "There is no question of handing over ports on the west coast of Eire under any conditions as long as Eire is neutral. It is a lie to say that German or any other submarines are fuelling or provisioning at our ports. It is not only a lie, but the British Government knows it is a lie. "Any attempt to exert pressure on us by any belligerent, including Britain will only lead to bloodshed. As long as this Government is in office we will defend our rights."

"I don't know whether the members of the Dail are prepared to take Mr. Churchill's references to Eirean ports as a symbol or perhaps a natural expression of regret, as I am prepared to do, or whether his speech portended something more," he said. Eire wanted friendly relations with the people of Britain and also with other peoples," he added. , x, * ■ "I want to say to our people that we may be facing a grave crisis, but I hope we are not. If we must face it, we know that our cause is just and right. If we must die we shall be dying for a good cause. So far it has been definitely understood that we are free to use our territory unhindered. There has not been since the outbreak of war a single suggestion that we are not entitled to act as we have been acting and to remain outside the war. He added that all outstanding differences between Britain and Eire had been cleared up except that of partition. He was anxious that Eire should remain neutral. Anybody who realised what modern war meant would understand what it meant for a country which was insufficiently defended from air attack.