PARTING OF WAYS?

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1932, Page 5

PARTING OF WAYS?

IRELAND AND EMPIRE What Secession Means WILL DOMINION IRISH BECOME ALIENS? (“Tinres” Cable.) (Received Marell 30 at 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 30. “The Times’s” Dublin correspond ent states; “The Free State Ministers Executive Council considered at length the draft of the Free State’s reply to the British Government’s Note. It is understood that the reply closely follows President De » Valera’s recent statements. While the Executive Council are fairly solid in their support of President De Valera, some of flip Fianna Fail supporters contend that he is acting precipitately, ami that he ought to concentrate on the | Budget, which must be presented within a month. President. De Valera is not likely to summon the Dail Eireann before April 20th, unless a crisis should arise, as he contends that ne has a full mandate to remove the oath and to withhold the land annuities.” ULSTER VIEW OF SECESSION. IRELAND NO LOSS TO EMPIRE. LONDON, March 30. “The. Empire will rot shed tears if the Irish Free Stat secedes,” said Sir Hugh O’Neill, a former Speaker of the Northern Ireland House of Commons, when addressing at Dungannon a meeting of Orangemen. “Tt will become a pretty insignificant Republic, divorced from all world movements.” After Sir Hugh O’Neill’s speech, crowds thronged the streets of Dungannon, and some windows were smashed. Sticks and fists were freely used. The charged the crowd with drawn batons.

SECESSION NOT ANTICIPATED POSITION OF STATE EMPLOYEES LONDON. March 30. The “News-Chronicle” says: Tho British Government is ascertaining the number of Irish Free State-born civ:! servants. The Government, is contemplating the possibility of an act of Separation, thus necessitating a prompt regulftrisation of the position of thous ands of Southern Irish State craployThe “News-Chronicle” continues: j“ Nevertheless the official view is that ithe Free State, in the last resort will refuse to cut completely adrift fro..? Ithe Emyi’O. If it did secede, tho Irish in the Dominions and in the Colonic-! would automatically become aliens, and -i-< usual i>e subject to special laws

AN INPUDENT PLUTOCRAT. (Aus. N.Z Cable As«-ni. LONDON. March 29. Lady Houston has sent tins message to Mr De Valera: “Don’t let your ■Spanish blood goad you into dragging Ireland down into the chaotic, calamitous confusion to which Spain fias fallen. Irishmen are not, fools. |To repudiate the oath is simply to cut off the' nose to spite the face.’’