PORTUMNA FIRE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 8 October 1928, Page 6

PORTUMNA FIRE.

POLITICAL MOTIVE ALLEGED. REPUBLICANS’ "BITTER ATTACK. (United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) LONDON, Oct. 6. It is announced that Princess _ Mary and Viscount Laseelles. will arrive in Dublin this morning, and will motor to the Vice-Regal lodge, where they •will he the guests of the GovernorGeneral and Mrs. Mac Neill until they proceed to Portumna by motor. The original arrangement was not to stay in Dublin, hut to proceed direct to the train from the boat. , Great interest has been aroused . m the visit of a member of the Royal [Family in the Free State. There is some 'Republican criticism, but there is every reason to believe Princess Mary is assured of a welcome. The “Irish Times” states: “Princess Mary’s informal visit to Southern Ireland before she goes north is an act of goodwill and courtesy. We had supposed that pot even the most illiterate- fanatic could put a political aspect on the visit; yet what other motive for the Portumna fire can he conceived?” The “Morning Fost” says the fire at Portumna came only after a most hitter attack against Visbbunt Lascelles and Princess Mary in the Republican Press, but the Princess, with characteristic courage, was not prevented from visiting her husband’s Irish home. Two arrests have been made at Loughrea in connection with the fire. A later message says Princess Mary and Viscount Laseelles were warmly •welcomed on arrival at Dublin, though they were an hour late. They breakfasted with Mr. and Mrs. Mac Neill at the Vice-Regal Ijodge, and later proceeded in an all-steel. bullet-proof motor ca.r and under a strong guard to Portumna. where the crowd cheered them. Monsignor Joyce, the parish priest, was invited to dine last night with the visitors, who this morning attend a harvest festival at a Protestant church.