MILITARY LAW IN IRELAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1933, Page 7

MILITARY LAW IN IRELAND

WIDE POWERS OF ARREST PUBLIC MEETINGS BANNED [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, August 15. The Free State Cabinet, after a three hours’ meeting, decided to establish a military tribunal to deal with political offences. An Irish Free State Gazette officially notifies additions to the Free State Constitution by which the special tribunal can be. established, giving the police the powers of questioning and arrest on suspicion, including the suspicion of membership of associations that are deemed to be unlawful. It also permits of the banning of public meetings. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Dublin correspondent says: It is assumed that the Military Tribunal will be established almost immediately. It may, under the Public Safety Act, impose unrestricted penalties including flogging or death for political offences. It may hold secret trials, against which there would be no appeal. The Government hap ordered the Board of Works to remove a. statue ofc Queen Victoria, standing on a lawn jat the front of the entrance of Leinstbr House, before the Dail Eireann reassembles. OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP. * LONDON, August 16. ■■ Anxious consultations are taking place between the members of the Cosgrave Party in view of a possible Free State election. The position as between the Blue Shirts and the Cosgraveites is serious. It is rumoured that Mr Cosgrave is being urged to resign, in order to show a united front against Mr De Valera. Several of Mr Cosgrave’s ex-Min-isters are Blue Shirts, and they want to see General O’Duffy in the leading place of a possible Administration but Mr Cosgrave and his intimates are opposed to the introduction of General O’Duffy. BLUE SHIRT PARADES. DUBLIN, August 16.

General O’Duffy, following on ecclesiastical intervention has cancelled the church parades of Blue Shirts for Sunday next, August 20, on the grounds that ecclesiastical law does not permit such parades in the church precincts; but General O’Duffy has substituted an assembly of Blue Shirts in each district, at which a two-min-utes silence will be observed in honour of the late Arthur Griffiths, Michael Collins and Brian O’Higgins, after which the commanders will read an important* message from General O’Duffy. General O’Duffy states that the time and place of these district parades will be decided by the local commander. When asked whetner such parades would be held on Sunday, August 20, he declined to answer. REMOVING VALUABLES. (Received August 17, 9 a.m.) * LONDON, August 16. The “News-Chronicle’s” Dublin correspondent says: A big scale transfer to Britain of valuables, including pictures,* jewellery, and heirlooms stored in Irish banks, is following the withdrawal of arms, because the insurance companies declared that their policies do not cover “civil commotion.” The banks deprived of arms, are installing, tear-gas equipment. SENATE REJECTS BILL. DUBLIN, August 16. The Senate insisted, by 18 to 16 votes, on amending the Public Service Bill, in order to exempt the Civic Guard wage reductions. The Dail disagreed. Senator Staines charged the Government with allowing men to congregate outside Dublin, on Sunday,, with murder in their hearts, awaiting the Blue Shirts’ administration. While docking the Civic Guard, the Government had spent £BO,OOO on the new armed police force.

Mr McEntee explained that the latter was necessary to strengthen the force, in view of tfc? cessation of recruiting for the Guard in the interests of economy. He hoped it would be disbanded when the emergency ended. The Dail may re-assemble to consider the situation, but it is believed the Government will withdraw the Bill and' impose a surtax, realising £300.000. SOUNDING THE PEOPLE. (Recd. August 17, 1 p.m.) LONDON, August 16. Mr De Valera opens a Ministerial camp&ign at Kilkenny on Sunday, indicating the Government intends to learn the people’s attitude first hand. If general support seems assured, an election may be sprung, and he may abandon the military tribunal, also the exhibition of force against General O’Duffy, because this encourages the Blue Shirts, who thrive on suppression.