ANXIOUS FOR PEACE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12438, 2 September 1933, Page 7

ANXIOUS FOR PEACE.

MR. DE VALERA AND BRITAIN. ECONOMIC WAR. United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. | LONDON, August 31. “I am anxious for peace. If there is a sincere desire .on the part of the British Government to negotiate, we are ready,” said Mr de Valera in a special interview with the “Daily Herald. ’ Mr de Valera added, however, that he thought the present state of affairs suited the British Government. “They saw in the economic war an excuse for banning Irish produce as a measure of protection tjq their own farmers,” he said. “It has not been an unmixed evil for Ireland, although it has meant hardship. It forced us to move more rapidly in the direction of economic independence.” Referring to the Blue Shirts, Mir de Valera said they did not cause the Government any anxiety. They had no roots among the people. The Government’s position was secure, and it would go ahead with its programme. Asked if it was true that lie would declare a republic during his term of office, he replied: “You have my assurance we shall declare a republic only with the assent of the people.” LONDON, August 31. The Irish Republican Army issued a statement at Dublin at , midnight declaring that its army council regards the visit of civic guards to one of their camps as an indication that the Government is taking coercive measures against them, adding that they object to the Government linking them in this way with the National Guard. The statement is regarded as significant, inasmuch as the I.R.A. hitherto has not differed from Mr de Valera’s Government and has been, regarded as the real power behind the throne. It is recalled that Mr de Valera in a speech at Ennis on Sunday appealed to young people not to join any military organisation other than official Government organisations.