REPUBLIC OR FREE STATE?

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 July 1935, Page 7

REPUBLIC OR FREE STATE?

WILL IRELAND REMAIN UNDER BRITISH RULE? MR THOMAS NEEDS CORRECTION (By Telegraph-Press Assn.--Copyrigbt). Received Thursday, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, July 10.

In tli 3 Commons Mr J. H. Thomas (Dominions Minister), during a debate on Irish affairs, said he had been asked to advise the House of the difference between a Free State and a Republic. President de Valera had defined the difference in a - recent speech when he alluded to his Majesty as a foreign king. Mr Thomas added that he personally summarised Mr de Valera's views as follow: "First, we must have a republic, but for certain external affairs we would be prepared to recognise your King." '•My own answer," said Mr Thomas, "was "that I did not believe any Government in Britain would dare to suggest that the constitutional head should be used for one purpose and be non-existent for others. The people of Britain would not tolerate that." He did not hesitate to say that the Government would take every step it could to prevent Southern Ireland going from the British' Commonwealth however much it might be provoked. Sir Thomas Inskip, apparently alarmed by Mr Thomas' statement that the Government would take every step it could to prevent Southern Ireland going from the British Commonwealth, hastened to explain that what- Mr Thomas had in mind was not the "..je of weapons of force "but "the chains of common interest and old associations" which would draw the countries closer together. He added that the suggestion that Mr de Valera can proclaim his republic and still remain within the British Commonwealth of Nations is one which really closes the door to any accommodation. Britain will_never co-operate with Mr de Valera in making foreigners of Irishmen.