“BLUE SHIRT” LEADER

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 December 1933, Page 7

“BLUE SHIRT” LEADER

O’DUFFY WELL GUARDED [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] (Rec. December 19, 1 p.m.) <, DUBLIN, December 18. A cordon of police and soldiers still surrounds Westport Barracks to prevent the rescue of O’Duffy, though an impromptu mieeting of Blue Shirts made no suggestion of this. The officials have made O’Duffy and his companions comfortable in the temporary cells. O’Duffy will be charged after Christmas, with the political offence of wearing a Blue Shirt. A PRESS PROTEST. (Recd. December 19, 8 a.m.) LONDON, December 18. The “Irish Independent” editorially says: It has never been charged that the objects of the United Ireland party, whereof General O’Duffy is President, are in any way illegal. The public utterances z of O’Duffy and other leaders always struck an emphatic note in regard to law and order, and obedience to the constituted authorities. Every Democratic country recognises that the Opposition plays a useful part in public affairs. The arrest of O’Duffy has introduced a startling departure from accepted methods in political controversy, and public opinion will demand a strict account of the authorities’ action. OPPOSITION MEETING. LONDON, December 18. Mr Cosgrave will preside at a meeting of the United Ireland Party today to consider measures for testing the legality of General O’Duffy’s arrest. A TRAIN INCIDENT. (Received December 19, 10 a.m.) DUBLIN, December 18. Three armed and masked men entered a Dublin-Kerry train, and- held up the guard. They seized copies of the “Irish Press” and dumped them on the line six miles distant and escaped in a motor car. ULSTER PARLIAMENT. BELFAST, December 18. Mr De Valera did not attend the opening of the Ulster Parliament.