Blue Shirts Proscribed

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7243, 24 August 1933, Page 7

Blue Shirts Proscribed

Declared as Unlawful Association GENERAL O’DUFFY APPEALS TO PEOPLE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. DUBLIN, Aug. 22. The Freo State Cabinet has declared the National Guard an unlawful association, simultaneously announcing tho constitution of a special tribunal under the Public Safety Act consisting of tho five officers Mr Cosgrave appointed to it, namely, Colonels Francis Bennett and Daniel McKenna, Major John Jo\jce, and Commandants Connor Whelan and Patrick Tuite. The tribunal has special powers and can impose tho death sentence from which there is no appeal. When informed of the ban, General O’Duffy declared, “I have nothing to say except that the National Guard is awaiting the verdict of the Irish people.’’ The Blue Shirt’s Secretary has circularised the districts stating that General O’Duffy, in view of the Government’s order, advised all Army reservists to resign from the Guard. National Guard Said To be Heavily Armed IS I.R.A. OUT TO USURP GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS? Received Wednesday, 8 p.m. DUBLIN, Aug. 22. Mr. Ruttlcdge announced in the Senate that the Government possesses sufficient information that the National Guard was heavily armed and were importing further arms into the Free State. “We have made perfectly clear that people will not be allowed publicly to parado with arms and uniforms,” he added. “General O’Duffy accopted that challenge. If we getpoople with arms in public, wc will deal with them also. ’’ While Cabinet was reaching its decision to ban tho* Blue Shirts, Sir John Kcano was moving that the disarming and banuing of Blue Shirts’ parades was unjustified. He declared that tho Government was using its powers against constitutional and loyal citizens at the bidding of tho licavilyarmod Republican Army. Ho added that public anxiety' had been increased by the withdrawal of arms needed for protection, but tho men deprived of weapons would take steps to protect themselves; if not openly, then otherwise. They would not stand like sheep before the slaughter, or like condemned men awaiting execution. Senator Comyn declared that tho Republican Army would never be suppressed until it achieved an all-Ireland Republic. Sir John Keane ,after Mr. Ruttledge’s speech, withdrew his motion, saying he hoped the Government, would be able to ensure peace. Ho did not envy them their job. Sir John Keane added that a largt section of the Irish people believed that when tho opportunity came, the Irish Republican Army would usurp the functions of the Government “Unlawfully Banned,” Says O’Duffy READY TO FACE ANY KIND Ox PERSECUTION Received Wednesday, 10 p.m. DUBLIN, Aug. 23. “The Blue Shirts aro neither Fascist, nor Imperialist, nor Communist, and not even tho Public Safety Act enables the Government to forbid the wearing of blue shirts, nor to proclaim the National Guard unlawful,” declares General O’Duffy. “If wo arc banned, wo are therefore unlawfully banned and not bound to recognise it.” He added that the National Guard would face any kind of persecution. ■“A period of coercion will only 'strengthen us.”