ULSTER ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 22881, 12 February 1938, Page 15

ULSTER ELECTIONS

SWEEPING VICTORY FOR UNIONISTS COMPLETE ANSWER TO SEVEREHCE QUESTION Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 11. The Ulster election resulted in a sweeping victory for Viscount Craigavon’s party, which gained two seats, one from Labour in Belfast and one from the Nationalists in Mournc, County Down. Following are the results, with four returns to come;— Unionists ... 35 Independent Unionists ... 2 Nationalists 8 Labour 1 Independent Labour ... 1 Independent i The four results outstanding are not expected until February 14. It is anticipated that-at least three Unionists will be returned, giving Viscount Craigavon 38 seats. Viscount Craigavon, in a message of thanks to loyalists, said: “Mr de Valera again presumed to dictate terms to the Imperial Government for the severance of Ulster from the United Kingdom. That question is for Ulster to decide, and your answer is unmistakable and final. Ulster will not exchange its unity with the'United Kingdom for unity with Southern Ireland. Wo have surely seen the end of uncertainty regarding our constitutional status.” Mr de Valera, in a statement, said: “ The results could have been forecast a month ago. The fundamental fact is that the territory of the Irish nation is partitioned agaiqst the, will of the vast majority of the people. Ireland’s most saored province is also partitioned, six counties being cut off from the other three because Viscout Craigavon’s party could not secure a safe majority in Ulster as a whole. It is only in the city of Belfast and the area adjoining that there is a majority in favour of partition. Recovery of the lost counties will be tlm first item on the agenda of every conference between England and Ireland.”