To Isolate Eire From Outer World

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1944, Page 3

To Isolate Eire From Outer World

LONDON, March. 14,

Addressing the House of Commons on the Eirean situation, Mr. Churchill said: “We for some time past have taken a number of measures to minimise dangers arising from the substantial disservice to the Allied cause involved in the retention by Mr. de Valera's Government of a German Minister and Japanese Consul with their staffs in Dublin. The time has come when these measures must be strengthened, and the restrictions on travel to Ireand, already announced, are the first step in a policy designed to isolate Britain from Southern Ireland and also isolate Southern Ireland from the outer world during the critical period now approaching. An Irish Bull

The Prime Minister, further asked whether the decision had been taken after prior consultation with other Dominions, replied that complete unity of thought prevailed throughout the British Commonwealth.

In reply to another question whether retention of Axis representatives was consistent with membership of the British Commonwealth of Nations, Mr. Churchill said: “The whole question of the position in Southern Ireland is anomalous from various points of view and I can conceive that high legal authorities might have very great difficulty in defining the exact relationship which prevails.” Future to Consider

“I need hardly say how painful it is for us to fake these measures in view of the large number of Irishmen fighting so bravely with the Allies. No one can reproach us with precipitancy. No nation in the world would have been so patient, but there is the future to consider. If a catastrophe were to occur to the Allied armies which could be traced to retention of German and Japanese representatives in Dublin, a gulf would be opened between Britain and Southern Ireland which even generations would not bridge. “The Government would also be held responsible by the people of the United States if it could be shown that we, in any way, failed to do everything in our power to safeguard their troops.” Freedom or Reality

“England will respect Irish neutrality and allow Eire to choose and follow her own course in the war,” said the British Ambassador (Lord Halifax) at Boston. “This is the most convincing' proof of the British Dominions’ complete independence. _ * “England has never exerted influence on the de Valera Government to alter her neutrality stand. The American. Government made its position clear, and Mr. de Valera did likewise. “The overall picture of the war was satisfactory, but the hardest hills had yet to be climbed.” Lord Halifax discounted the idea that a “peace now” movement will gain headway in England. Such an idea does not hold well with the Britishers when they think German soldiers are drilling only 22 miles from Dover.

The News Gets Through?

A low-flying German aeroplane was seen over Dalkey on Sunday afternoon, says a correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” from the Irish port. The plane headed seaward about three miles from Monktown, where the German Consul lives. Canada Backs U.S.

Canada has told Eire of its full sympathy with the American request for closing Axis legations in Dublin, said the Prime Minister (Mr Mackenzie King) in the House of Commons. This information was conveyed in informal discussions between the Canadian High Commissioner in Eire (Mr J. K. Kearney) and the Irish High Commissioner in Ottawa (Mr.>J. 0. Hearne). Mr Mackenzie King added that Mr de Valera had suggested that it would serve the mutual interests of Eire and United States if the American Note could be withdrawn. “My reply made it clear that the Canadian Government was fully sympathetic with the United States and did not wish to intervene in the matter. I believe that informal discussions were of some help in steadying a difficult situation.”