IRISH FREE STATE

Evening Star, Issue 21092, 3 May 1932, Page 7

IRISH FREE STATE

QUESTION OF INDEPENDENCE EFFECT ON BRITISH SUBJECTS Preaa Anaociation—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, April 2. (Received April 3, at 9 a.m.)

“ The assumption that a declaration of independence would result in Irish residents in England losing their British citizenship rests on a misunderstanding,” declares Professor Berriedale Keith, in an article in the ‘Guardian.’ “ The separation of a part of the Empire by revolutionary action is not unprecedented. The decisions of tho British courts show clearly that a declaration of independence does not affect British subjects, including Irishmen, unless independence is recognised by the Crown. If recognised the courts would probably hold that British subjects resident in the Free State had lost their British nationality, but* they could not maintain that Irish citizens resident in England and the dominions had forfeited their nationality, which was conferred l}y British legislation, and which the Free State could not alter. Parliament alone can deprive persons resident in Britain of British nationality, but it cannot seriously be supposed that Parliament will do so. Even if Mr De Valera breaks the treaty Irish citizens remaining in the Free State will become aliens pure and simple and subject to all the disabilities thereof.”