IRISH SITUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22421, 16 November 1934, Page 9

IRISH SITUATION

BRITAIN’S RETICENCE DESCRIBED AS DANGEROUS (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, November 14. Brigadier-general John Hartman Morgan, addressing the Irish Loyalists’ Federation, said: “Mr de Valera, within a few months, will be able to declare the Free State an independent Republic. The British Government is dangerously reticent. Mr Thomas repeats that the door is still open, despite the fact that Mr de Valera is repeatedly i slamming the door in his face. Mr de Valera can and will slam the door finally, making the Free State a Kepublic in law arid in fact. The Free State Legislature has abolished four of the most important clauses in the Anglo-Irish Treaty which safeguarded the Imperial connection.” Brigadier-general Hartman Morgan added; “I am informed that German steamers are secretly unloading cargoes in Irish ports. I leave you to guess their contents. Brigadier-general . John Hartman Morgan is professor of Constitutional Law at University College, London, and is the author of several books on constitutional law and international questions. He served with distinction during the war. , MESSAGE FROM LORD CARSON LONDON, November 14. (Received Nov. 15, at 8 p.m.) Brigadier-General Morgan said that Germany would be the first to recognise an Irish republic. “We may find the Free State placed at Germany’s disposaf as an air base against England. Recognition by a foreign Power is the only requirement to complete Free State independence. Britain could not interpret it as an unfriendly act owing to her own continued silence.” Lard Carson sent a message referring to the British Government’s “ cowardly inaction ” regarding south of Ireland loyalists. He said that the Free State was now degrading Irishmen by declaring that they were no longer subjects of the King. The meeting passed a resolution drawing the attention of the Government to the anxiety of the loyal Irish throughout the Empire as the result of the Citizenship Bill. STORY OF GERMAN CARGOES DUBLIN, November 15. (Received Nov. 15, at 11.55 p.m.) Mr de Valera refused to comment on Brigadier-general Morgan’s London statement until he had. studied the full text. He added that he would be very glad to learn from Brigadier-general Morgan where the mysterious German cargoes were being landed. Mr C. A. Maguire (Attorney-general), and Mr P. J. Ruttledge (Minister of Justice) declared that they had no knowledge of any such landings. DAILY TELEGRAPH COMMENT LONDON, November 15. (Received Nov. 16, at 0.80 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph, commenting on Brigadier-general Morgan’s speech, says: “ The material benefits of the Imperial connection are a real obstacle to the declaration of Irish independence. They are keeping the Free State within the Empire and their force will not be weakened by any use that the Irish Parliament may make of the provisions of the Statute of Westminster.”