IRISH FREE STATE

Evening Star, Issue 18145, 8 December 1922, Page 6

IRISH FREE STATE

MEMBERS SWORN IN. ME (JOSGEAVE ELECTED PEESIDENT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 6. Members of _ Daii Eireann were sworn in in the evening at Leinster House, the streets leading thereto being specially guarded by Free State troops. Admission was strictly limited, nobody being allowed in the .Strangers’ Gallery. Mr Cosgrove was unanimously re-elected President. Professor Hayes was elected Speaker, and Mr Patrick O'Malley vicechairman. (Received December 7, at 10.30 p.m.) The Republicans were absent. Mr Johnston (Labor leader) declared that ho took the oath conditionally that if ever he deemed it wise to denounce the treaty and to amend the Constitution the declaration of allegiance should not bar his freedom of action. Mr Cosgrave nominated tho following Executive Council Finance, Mr Cosgrave. Defence, Mr Mulcahy. Home Affaire, Mr Keven O'Higgins. Education, Professor John Macneill. Local Government, Mr Ernest Blyth. Industry and Commerce, Mr Joseph MGrath. External Affairs, Mr Desmond Fitzgerald. Among Mr Cosgrave’s nominees for the Senate are the Dowager Countess Desalt, the Marquis of Head ford, Lords Dunraven. Granard, Glenavy, Kerry, Mayo, Wicklow, Sir Thomas Grattan Esmomle, Sir Nugent Evcrard, Sir John Keane, Sir Bryon Mahon, Sir Horace Plunkct.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. LONDON, December 6. Mr T. M. Hcaly was sworn in at bis residence, “ Chapelizod,” Dublin, by the Lord Chief Justice. Mr Healy sent a message stating : “I wish tho people of Ireland of all creeds and classes and opinions a peaceful Christmas.”—A, and N.Z. Cable.

THE SIX COUNTIES. LONDON, December 6. Mr Cosgrave said he did not intend to force an unwilling people into the Dree State, but he must not forget there were many in the six counties who wanted to come in. He added : “We are bound to see their wishes respected. That is nart and parcel of the treaty.” He paid a, tribute to the scrupulous manner in which the .British Government had observed the treaty in the letter’ and. spirit. They had not attempted to whittle it down. He read a message of greeting and goodwill from Mr Bonar Law ami tho British. Cabinet. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

CUSTOM'S AND EXCISE. LONDON, December 6. The Commissioners of Excise and Inland Revenue announce that the current year’s Customs, excise, and other taxes in Ireland will not be affected by the proclamation of the Dree State. The new regime will not produce double taxation between the Free State and Great Britain or tho free State and Ulster. —A. and N.Z. Cable.

BIRTH OF THE STATE. NO JOY BELLS. SOBER NOTE OF RESPONSIBILITY. LONDON, December 6. Tho ‘Daily Express’s’ special correspondent at Dublin says that a brand new tri-color over me Government Buildings was the sole outward sign of the birth Of the new State and the the new era in Ireland’s history, iho absence of bands, bells, and bunting did not mean a lack of gratitude and goodwill on the part of tho Irish people, but a desire not to participate in rejoicings which might cause trouble. Influential Irishmen said t “ Freedom comes at_ last, not blithely and smilingly, but with a countenance tense, even tragic. We greet her cordially and hopefully, but without exultation.” That is Dublin’s keynote; that is why the bright December day heralding Ireland’s dav of days found the citizens mostly following their vocar tions, apparently unmindful of tho great historic event.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

PRECAUTIONS IN DUBLIN. LONDON, December 7. (Received December 7, at 9.30 p.m.) Dublin this week has been more immune from crime than for months past; nevertheless, the best informed men are gravely anxious regarding the immediate future. A number of prominent Republicans have been seen in the city, and a coup is feared. Precautions to prevent outrages are widespread, apd no one is permitted to enter the Government buildings without being searched. Troops are patrolling the streets.

DUBLIN SUGGESTION. KING MAY OPEN PARLIAMENT. LONDON, December 7. (Received December 8, at 10 a.m.) It is suggested in Dublin that the King may personally open the Fixe State Parliar ment in Dublin. This assumption is based on His Majesty’s Speech, at the opening of tho Ulster Parliament in June, last, in which he expressed the hope that an occasion might present itself for performing a similar ceremony in Southern Ireland. Tlie King sent -a remarkable message of goodwill to the President and the Governor-General. —A. and N.Z. Cable.