FREE STATE OR REPUBLIC

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 31385, 14 February 1923, Page 2

FREE STATE OR REPUBLIC

DE VALERA A SPENT FORCE. FOLLOWING VERY SMALL. Electric -Telegraph—Press Association Copyright. (AustruliamN .Z. Cable i «<ancia.tion_) (Received this day, at 8.55 a.m.) London, February 12. President Cosgrove, interviewed by the “Daily Mail,” elaborating the statement that if De Valera was ready to advise his followers to surrender arms, conditionally on tho question of Free State or Republic being submitted to t,he electors, said : —‘ ‘The., new franchise lists' will be ready next June or July. We shall then be xqore than willing to let rtihe question he fought out on tho system of proportional representation. De Valera would not win a seat in any part of Ireland. His following is actually very small. There is no place in Ireland where he can hold up his head and address a meeting. We have abundant evidence that the Irregulars are tired. The country’ wants to settle down. We have had communication from Irregulars in the West declaring they do not recognise De Valera as President, of the Republic. During the past two months there have been frequent overtures from the rebels, but the Government stood firm for the surrender of arms and recognition of the treaty. The Government is getting more troops than are required, and I am perfectly satisfied that tho military situation in the country is becoming more normal. The relations between the Government- and Labour are amicable, particularly as regards unemployment and housing questions.”