NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1933. THE BLUE SHIRTS

Northern Advocate, 17 August 1933, Page 4

NORTHERN ADVOCATE DAILY

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1933. THE BLUE SHIRTS

Registered for transmission through tile post as a Newspaper.

’ During the past two weeks, our cable columns have contained many references to the Blue Shirts in Ireland, and it is obvious. from today’s news, that though the leader’s good sense averted a sanguinary encounter last week-end, there is still real danger of serious collision with the forces of the Government. It • is less than a month since the

Blue Shirts were first mentioned, thong'll tlie organisation actually came into existence on August 11 of last year. It was on that date that the Army Comrades’ Association was formed, and the Blue Shirts, or National Guard, are the successors to this association, which was said at the time to be composed of former members of the Free State Army. It called for the enrolment of “all who feel the need for the existence of a powerful standing moderate body of opinion in the conn try.” Ex-Colonel T. F. O’Higgins, brother of the late Kevin O’Higgins, was elected president, and it was declared that tin 1 association was willing to co-operate with other groups and associations “who consider the time is ripe for the creation of a composite body, with the object of neutralising the influence of those hidden forces of disorder which are operating in our country, and may grow into ruthless tyranny if not cheeked in time.” It was also declared that the association would support the Government in the maintenance of law and order, and oppose Communism or any disguised form of it. Actually, its object was to support the Cosgrave party at the elections. Last February the general secretary of the association, Commandant Cronin, issued a statement reaffirming the organisation’s opposition to Communism, and adding that its objects included the provision of clothing, etc., for the pool*. He staled that members would adopt a uniform, and hold regular parades and route marches, and that the association would continue in certain circumstances to assume police duties and to ensure “the fundamental personal rights ... of our people, which arc now menaced from various quarters.” Commandant Cronin added that the organisation and recruiting would proceed until the A.C.A. was established in every parish in Ireland. The President of the Executive Council, Mr do Valera, took the statement as a challenge to the Government, which, he said, would not permit any usurpation of police functions by the A.C.A., or any other body. The activities of the association, during the recent elections, he said, were a constant danger to public peace, and added considerably to the difficulties of the police in maintaining order. Nor would the Government tolerate the wearing of uniform, or the performance of military exercises. Mr do Valera was obviously alarmed at the proposed “police” activities of The Army Comrades. Less than a month ago the Army Comrades’ Association disappeared, to emerge as the national Guard, or. Bine Shirts’ organisation, with General O’Duffy, formerly Chief Commissioner of the Civic Guard in Dublin, at their head. The Blue Shirts wore declared to be independent of political parties, but again came the reference to Com-

mumsm. Tiiey aimed at promoting national unity and the suppression of Communism, ” Trouble began when a convention was held to eeet a leader, who proved to be General o’Duffy. Bodies of young men and women belonging to the de Valera faction, attacked the Blue Shirts, but the Civic Guards came to their help and dispersed the hostile crowd with batons. Ten days later, when the Blue Shirts numbered thousands, their homes were visited by police and firearms seized. The refusal of some prominent officers to hand over their revolvers threatened to result in a collision, but that danger was averted by good tactics on the part of the Blue Shirt leaders, who, on Sunday last, again preserved the peace in the face of provocation. Our cable news today indicates that an upheaval is still more than a possibility, but it is to be hoped that the Blue Shirts’ leaders will continue to strive to reach their goal by constitutional methods.