RESTLESS IRELAND

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12529, 15 April 1935, Page 5

RESTLESS IRELAND

REPUBLICANISM OR ENGLAND? DE VALERA'S ADMISSION SUGGESTION MADE ON SPUR OF MOMENT SHOULD BRITAIN ACCEPT CHALLENGE? (U.P.A. by Elec. Te 1 .. Copyright.) (Received April 14. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON,, April 13. “The suggestion, mooted on April 3, of a plebiscite on the Republican issue was made on the spur of tlie moment in reply to an assertion that hatred oil England was the dominating influence in Irish politics said Mr De Valera, in an interview in the Weekly Dispatch. The Irisn neither hate their neighbours nor hate each otner ”, lie said, ‘the allegation that I hate England is untrue. 1 hate no nation. On the oonirury, my ambition is 'to see tlie nations peacefully co-operating. Mr De Valera added: “My considered opinion is that the plebiscite would hare to he a genuinely tree expression of the people's will throughout Ireland, oil the understanding that- the verdict woul;l. be applicable to all Ireland.” Mr De Vaera, questioned regarding the position it tlie verdict favored" an all-Ireland Dominion, replied that it would create an entirely new situation, aboishing the complaint tliat Anglo-Irish relationship was forcibly maintained. “Our member’ ship in the British Commonwealth he oaid, “would then ho voluntary, but a section of the people won lit .still firmly believe that complete independence was the only status com patihl'e with national aspirations.” Although Mr De Valera’s “ Ministers believe that a plebiscite would vesult in an overwlieiriing victory for Repubicanisin, opponents aro of opinion that Britain would he wise to 'accept thfe challenge, as a plebiscite either in the Free State or throughout Ireland, wdiild show a majority for tlidso wishing to remain in thfe Empire. BRITISH SUBJECTS NOT ALIENS FREE STATE LEGISLATION (U.P.A. by Eioe. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 14, 6.30 p.m.) ■ . DUBLIN, April 14. The Citizenship Act and the Aliens Act were signed by .the Government simultaneously. . Tlie announced the exemption of subjects . of tlie British commonwealth of nations from the restrictions of the Aliens Act. _