PARADE BANNED

Northern Advocate, 14 August 1933, Page 5

PARADE BANNED

IRISH BLUE SHIRTS ! GENERAL O’DUFFY ACCEDES IN INTERESTS OF PEACE. DE VALERA STATEMENT. I I (United Press Association— By Elector Telegraph —Copyright.) (Received f) a.in.) DUBLIN, August 12. Tlio Irish Free State Cabinet decided yesterday to invoke .the Public Safety Act, and has banned the proposed parade of Bine Shirts tomorrow The ban takes the form of a proclamation, signed by Mr P. Rnttledge, Minister of Justiee, stating that:, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 24, Article 2A, he has prohibited the holding of a. meeting within one day before or three days after the day and time fixed. General O’Duffy was interviewed to day in his house, which was heavily guarded by police. Ho said: ‘ In the interests of peace and order, T have decided to call off the parade. On the solemn occasion when we are comment-; orating the death of three of Ireland’s greatest, sons, I will not risk the danger of disorder owing to the Government J s j action.

“The National Guard, instead of parading, will hold church parades and solemn memorial services in. each dis trict on the 20th of August. The National Guard cannot be suppressed by any party or Government. “Our determination is to raise the whole Irish nation out of the ignominy of party' politics.” ■

Mr do Valera has issued .the following statement: “The Government is of opinion that the organisation which calls itself the National Guard clearly is opposed to the liberty of the citizens of the Free State, and plainly' its lead ers are prepared, in favourable circum stances to resort to violent means to attain its end.

“Advantage has been taken of the Government’s leniency. The fact is that considerable quantities of arms are held by this and other organisations in the Free State. In such circumstances, clashes might lead to conditions bordering on anarchy, as they' have done in other countries. “The Government is determined not to allow such a situation to develop. It appeals for and expects the co-operation of every' good Irishman.” Police Fear Trouble. In spite of General o’.Duffy’s decision to abandon the parade, the police fear that his Blue Shirts may forcibly’ attempt to enter Leinster House. The lawn will bo open only' to those who possess Government permits and wish to la.v wreaths on the Cenotaph.

The Blue Shirts keenly resent their exclusion; therefore 100 heavily armed police now guard the lawn. The anger of the Blue Shirts has been increased by the fact that many opponents of Griffiths and Collins hold permits. Mr. de Valera’s new force has been issued 000 rifles, eight Thompson guns, a Lewis gun, and three Whippet armoured cars. The “ hooded” terror recruiting continues, regardless of the Civic Guard’s regulations in respect to age, height and education. In consequence of the banning of the parade, members of the Cosgrove party have decided not to attend at the Cenotaph. Mr. Cosgrove stated that the ceremony had been a public act of homage and gratitude for ten years to the men who had restored Ireland to the comity of nations. If the public were not permitted to attend, the ceremony lost its meaning. General O’Duffy is • identifying himself with the Cosgrave party and will ignore the commemmoration. He says hc\ will not place a wreath on the memorial until the National Guard is permitted to parade in public.