IRISH CRISIS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 148, 8 June 1932, Page 7

IRISH CRISIS

INTERVIEW COMPLETED BRITISH MINISTERS PLEASED. STATEMENT LEFT TO MR. DE VALERA. (United Press Association—By CableCopyright.) (Received 8, 9.20 a.m.) Dublin, June 7. The conversations, which were confined to Mr. Thomas, Lord Hailsham, Mr. de Valera and Mr. Geoghehan, lasted an hour and a half. Mr. Thomas declared: “If any statement is to be made we are leaving it to Mr. de Valera, as we are his guests.” Lord Hailsham and Mr. Thomas were smiling as they left the bulling and appeared pleased. FAVOURABLE PRESS COMMENTS. (Received 8. 12.30 p.m.) Bugoy, June 7. The Free State High Commissioner, Mr. Dulanty, and tho Permanent Under Secretary for the Dominions Office, Sir Edward Harding, accompanied the British Ministers to Dublin for the conversations. The atmosphere in Ireland is regarded as favourable. 'The Irish newspaper press, including Mr. de Valera’s organ, accepted the announcement of tho invitation with a readiness which suggested that they would welcome a settlement. With the exception of the “Morning Post” the London newspapers also welcome the development. Tho “Daily Herald” congratulates the Free State Government on issuing tho invitation and the British Government for so readily accepting it. It is emphasised generally that in undertaking this consultation the British Government has in no way varied its policy. MUTUAL CONFIDENCE NECESSARY. “The Times” says: “There never has been any desire on the part of the British Government to exclude Mr. de Valera’s colleagues from the Ottawa Conference. That is now their busi-

ness; but arrangements resulting fron the Conference must depend upon th confidence which its members repose ii one another and clearly, a sudden an< one-sided abrogation of an importan treaty could hardly be expected to en courage a repetition of the experiment It is probably true to say that thi attitude, in which Mr. J. H. Thoma has been absolutely firm and consist ent, is endorsed by the whole of thi House of Commons with a convictioi that has been accorded to no othe: single item in the Government’s policy There need be no fear of his abandon ing it in his discussions with Mr. d( Valera.” SANCTITY OF TREATIES. The “Daily Telegraph,” while em phasising that repudiation of agree ments by one party against the protest of the other and without consultation is intolerable in itself and a bar t( the negotiation of any further agree ments, expresses the earnest hope that the present consultations will hav( good results. Mr. de Valera’s invita tion, it adds, is an earnest of goodwill which has been readily answered, anc his willingness to continue the nego tiations in London leads to the belief that he has no doubt of the spirit in which ho will bo met. AN IMPOSSIBLE POSITION. The ” Manchester Guardian ’ warmly welcomes Mr. de Valera’s first step away from an impossible position and says that it is only proper that everything in Britain’s power should be done to assist him. The refusal tc discuss and negotiate on the oath ol allegiance was his. The British re fusal to enter into fiscal negotiations in preparation for the Ottawa Conference was the corollary of his assertion of the right to interpret tho joint instrument of the treaty as he pleased. DUBLIN STATEMENT ISSUED. After to-day’s meeting in Dublin the following statement was issued from the Government Buildings there: “Mr. J. H. Thomas and Lord Hailsham had an hour’s conversation with the President and the Minister of Justice this morning. There was a preliminary exchange of views, which will be followed by a discussion in London on Friday as already arranged.” AUSTRALIAN SENATOR’S INTERVIEW. (Received 8, 11.35 a.m.) . London, June 7. The Australian Senator, Mr. Elliott, while in Dublin, had an hour’s interview with Mr. de Valera, who revealed that the basis of his oath policy was on the view that the Statute of Westminster cancels the Anglo-Irish agreement of 1921 and all other treaties, and even permits Ireland to declare a republic if the majority of the electors are favourable. Mr. Elliott says that Mr. de Valera showed the keenest anxiety regarding the Ottawa Conference and its possibilities.

CROWDS CHEER THE VISITORS.

(United Press Association—By CableCopyright.) (Received 8, 2.15 p.m.) Lublin, June 8. Escorted by a car-load of detectives Mr Thomas and Lord Hailsham arrived at tho Government offices and were watched by a silent crowd who lingered while the conference lasted. Mr Thomas and Mr do Valera had never previously come into contact. There was a moment’s hesitation when they met, then hands were extended in cordial greetings. Mr. Thomas was later the host to eight, of Mr de Valtera’s Ministers at luncheon, at the conclusion of which the crowds cheered the visitors and almost mobbed their cars. Few people venture to predict the outcome of Friday’s discussions but even those who despair of the results emphasise that the talk was all lor Hie good, and that Mr de Valera has abandoned long-range defiance in favour u£ personal contact.