FREE STATE INCIDENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21694, 12 July 1932, Page 7

FREE STATE INCIDENT

GOVERNOR-GENERAL SLIGHTED AN APOLOGY DEMANDED (United Press Association,) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, July 10. (Received July 11, at 10 p.m.) The Times says that correspondence which has been published, concerning a French Legation affair, when two Free State Ministers departed on the Governor-General’s arrival and the playing of “ God Save the King,” shows that Mr de Valera wrote to Mr M‘Neill on July 7 saying it was unfortunate and regrettable and should not have been permitted. He could not go further than that. Mr M'Neill on July 7 replied that Mr de Valera’s letter made it necessary, to explain that he had not suddenly become a coward owing to the attractions of his honourable office, and he added, “You will have no difficulty in finding an honourable gentleman who will accept the post on conditions which he regards as honourable. I shall publish the correspondence failing an apology in three days from yourself and the Ministers concerned.” Mr de Valera, on July 8, conveyed to Mr M'Neill the executive’s direction not to publish the letters. Mr M'Neill, on July, 9, replied that obviously Mr de Valera and the executive were the only people in Ireland who thought this honourable. He addefl: “ Only your council will be surprised by my decision to have an apology as the alternative of my removal from office.”

A Dublin message states that the result of the correspondence released by Mr M'Neill is that Mr de Valera has notified the Irish newspapers that publication is prohibited and will be dealt with under the Official Secrets Act. BELFAST PAPERS PROHIBITED. , LONDON, July 11. (Received July 12, at 1 a.m.) Belfast newspapers that contain the General’s demand for an apology are not correspondence‘relative to the Governorallowed to enter the Free State.