MR. DE VALERA IN LONDON

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 June 1932, Page 7

MR. DE VALERA IN LONDON

PROLONGED DISCUSSIONS END IN FAILURE [by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] (Recd. June 11, 9 a.m.) , LONDON, June 10. Cheers from a large crowd, mingled

with some hooting, greeted Mr De Valera and party on their arrival at Euston, where they were met by Mr Thomas and Mr Malcolm MacDonald, afterwards breakfasting together. Exceptional precautions were taken to guard the sleeping car, wherein the party remained for some hours after arrival, a large squad 'of railway police and Scotland Yard specials forming a cordon. LATER. The Irish Conference has concluded, but no agreement was reached. The conversations commenced at 11.30 and were adjourned at 1.20 and resumed after lunch. There is not the slightest indication of the line- taken in the discussion. Nobody emerged from the building at lunch time, but there was some change of plans, because, previously, it was Mr De Valera’s intention to - devote the, afternoon to sight-seeing.

“OATH” CAUSES DEADLOCK (Recd. June 11, 11.30 a.m.). LONDON, June 10. “The Sun” learns that. the brqpkdown was due to Mr. De Valera’s insistence on the right to abolish «the oath,and Britain’s insistence that this would violate the treaty. The discussions, which never progressed beyond this point, were doomed from the outset, when it was abundantly clear the views were poles apart. Britain actually hinted a willingness to submit the annuities to an Empire tribunal, but the question was never seriously discussed, because the Oath deadlock rendered the position hopeless. Meanwhile, the Ottawa position is complicated. It is understood that Mr. Bennett’s pressure was primarily re- - sponsible for the Anglo-Irish meeting. Mr. Bennett hoped that the conversations would clear the atmosphere. Crowds at Whitehall, many waving Irish flags, vociferously cheered Mr. De Valera, when motoring to the train, where there was a dramatic climax. Mr. Thomas, sitting in the compartment facing Mr. De Valera, was seen leaning across the table, talking, and shaking his forefinger,, a characteristic gesture, pleading to Mr. De Valera for ten minutes. Mr. De Valera leant back without speaking obviously immovable. The guard’s whistle terminated the drama. Mr. Thomas rose, shook hands, stepped on the platform, removed his hat, and wiped his brow as a gesture of despair.

RESULT EXPECTED. RUGBY, June 10. In view of the attitude adopted by Mr De Valera and his Ministers on the Oath Allegiance Bill, now before the Free State Legislature, the failure of the conference caused very little surprise in political circles here. Mr Thomas told the press that the conference had passed off quietly, and the questions before them were discussed with excellent good humour.