IRISH FREE STATE

Grey River Argus, 30 April 1932, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

OATH BILL DEBATE Some Plain Speaking (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn). (Received April 29 at 9.43 p.m.) DUBLIN, April 29. The debate on the Oath Removal Bill in the Dail Eireann was marked by plain speakiag. Mr Dan Breen declared that he went to kill Lord French during .'the 1914 trouble, in order to sever the link with Britain, and he would do the same again if the occasion arose. An amazing scene followed when a Cosgrave supporter, Mr O’Connor, made the statement that members of the Irish Party in the British House of Commons had cheered the announcement of the executions of the Irishmen in 191 G after the rising. “It is a damned lie!” shouted Mr John Dillon, an Independent. Mr Coburn rushed to Mr O’Connor, and snatching his coat lapels, cried: “If you were younger, I ; d kill you where you stand!” A hubbub of voices and the clanging of bell» was stilled when Mr Cosgrave, ; in a quiet voice, appealed to Mr O’Connor and Mr Dillon to withdraw. Both complied with his request.

DOMINION INTERFERENCE. SAYS SCOTTISH M.P. •(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 28. In the Commons, to-day. when asked whether the Government intended consultations with the Dominions on the position, which had arisen from the attitude adopted by the Irish Free State, the Dominion Secretary (Mr. Thomas) replied that the present issues between the United Kingdom and the Free State arise out of the interpretation of :the 1921 treaty and other agreements, forming part of the settlement then reached between the two counris. He added •that the difference, at the moment, was between the two parties to the agreement, one of which had repudiated it. Mr Maxton: Isn’t it a fact that all the Dominions interfered, in the matter by sending messages to the Free State ? Mr Thomas: I have nothing to add. Mr Maxton, later, urged that the House should have the opportunity of debating Mr Thomas’s statement and the Irish question generally. Mr Baldwin: No useful purpose could at present he served thereby.