IRISH BASES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23809, 9 November 1940, Page 11

IRISH BASES

BRITAIN'S NEED EIRE NOT WILLING DE VALEBA'S BEPLY "WILL DEFEND BIGHTS" By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received November 8, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 7

The Prime Minister of Eire, Mr. de Valera, in a speech in the Dail. said : "There is no question of handing over Eire's west coast ports on any conditions so long as Eire is neutral. "It is a lie to say that German or any other 'submarines are fuelling or provisioning at our ports. It is not only aiie but the British Government knows it to be a lie.

' "Any attempt to put pressure on us by any belligerent, including Britain, will only lead to bloodshed. So long as this Government is in office we will defend our rights.

Mr. Churchill's Reference *

"I do not know," Mr. de Valera continued, "whether members of the Dai I are prepared to take Mr. Churchill's reference to Eirean ports as a symbol perhaps of a natural expression of regret—a§ I. am prepared to do—or whether his speech portended . something more." Eire wanted friendly relations with the people of Britain, Mr. de Valera said, and alsd with other peoples. "I want to say to our people," Mr. de Valera continued, "that we may but hope that we are not facing a grave crisis. If we must face it we know our cause is just and right. If we must die we shall be dying in a good cause. Acting Within Rights

"Thus far it is definitely understood that we are free to use our territory unhindered. There has not been since the outbreak of war a single suggestion that we were not entitled to act as we have been acting, and remain outside the war." Mr. de Valera added that all outstanding differences between Britain and Eire had been cloared up, except partition. He was anxious that Eire should remain neutral. Anybody realising what modern war meant would understand what it meant for a country insufficiently defended from air attack. Mr. De Valera recalled his declaration that he would never allow Eire to be used as a base for attack against Britain, and said an extensive system of observation had 'operated since the outbreak of war to ensure that ports were not used illegally. All Parties applauded Mr. De Valera's declaration that there was no question of leasing ports. Premier's Speech Deprecated Mr. J. M. Dillon, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, referred to Mr. De Valera's statement and said that as far as he was aware no demands had been made on Eire, no threats had been made and no violence had been forecast. In the circumstances, were the terms of Mr. De Valera's statement best calculated to promote calm preparedness among the Irish people in the unforeseeable future?

It seemed odd, said Mr. Dillon, to hear mention of the possibility of bloodshed, even as a remote contingency, between two neighbours who had been at peace for centuries. He was certain that any difficulties could be surmounted by consultation, and he did not believe Britain had calculated or designed any demand or action prejudicial to the sovereignty of Eire.

In the course of his statement to the House of Commons on the war situation last Wednesday Mr. Churchill said:— "The recent sinkings of vessels in the Atlantic approaches wore more serious than the air raids. The fact that we cannot use the south-west coasts of Ireland and thus protect the trade by which Ireland, as well as Britain, lives, is a most heavy and strenuous burden and one which should never have been placed on our shoulders."

By special arrangement,, Router's world service, in addition to other special sources of information, is used in the compilation of the oversea intelligence published in this issue, and ail rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved. Such of the cable neivs on this page as is so headed has appeared in the Times and is cabled to Australia and New Zealand by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not those of the Timea unless expressly stated to ba so.