BAN IMPOSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21578, 24 August 1933, Page 9

BAN IMPOSED

NEW IRISH GUARD ACTION by government SERIOUS CHARGE MADE _ IMPORTATION OF AEMS SENATORS' PROTESTS gy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ' (Received August 23, 8.5 p.m.) DUBLIN. Aug. 2-2 The Irish Free State Cabinet has declared the National Guard to bo an unlawful association. At the samo time jt lias announced the constitution of a special military tribunal under the - p tl blic Safety Act, consisting of the five officers whom Mr. W. T. Cosgravo appointed, namely, Colonels Francis Bennett and Daniel McKenna, Major John Joyce. Commandants Conor Whelan and Patrick Tuite. When informed of the ban General O'Duffy remarked: "I have nothing to gay except that the National Guard aw'aits the verdict of the Irish people." The secretary of the Blue Shirts has issued a circular to tho branches of the organisation in all districts stating that General O'Duffy, in view of the Government's order, has advised all reservists to resign from the National Guard Strong Words in the Senate The Minister of Justice, Mr. Patrick Ruttledge, announced in the Senate that tho Government possessed sufficient information to show that the National Guard was heavily armed and was importing further arms into the Free State. " We havo made it perfectly clear to the people that they will not be allowed to parade in public with arms or wearing uniforms," said the Minister. • " General O'Duffy has accepted that challenge. If we get people with arms in public we will deal with them also." While the Cabinet was reaching its decision to ban the Blue Shirts Lieu-tenant-Colonel Sir John Keane was moving that the disarming of tho organisation and the banning of its parades were not justified. He declared that the Government was using its powers against constitutional, loyal „ citizens at the bidding of the heavily armed Republican Army. Republican Army Assailed Public anxiety has been increased by the withdrawal of arms needed for ( protection, said Sir John, but the men deprived 'of their weapons would take steps to protect themselves, if not openly then otherwise. They would not Btand like sheep before the slaughterer or condemned men awaiting execution. ' v A large section of the Irish people believed that when the opportunity came the Republican Army would g usurp the functions of the Government. Mr. Comyn declared that the Republican Army would never be suppressed until it had achieved an all-Ireland republic. Later Sir John Keane withdrew his motion, saying he hoped the Government would be able to ensure peace. ix He did not envy it its job. Leader on Legal Aspect In an interview this evening General O'Duffy said: "The Blue Shirts are neither Fascist nor Imperialist nor Communistic. Not even the Public Safety enables the Government to forbid the wearing of bhie shirts or to proclaim the National Guard unlawful. "If we are banned, therefore, wo are unlawfully banned and are not bound to recognise it. "The National Guard.will face any kind of persecution. A period of coercion will only strengthen us."