THE GAUNTLET DOWN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17739, 28 March 1932, Page 9

THE GAUNTLET DOWN

IRISH REPUBLICANS WAR ON IMPERIALISM OHDHRBYDKM OX ST 11A TIO XS. (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received March 28, 3 p.m.) LONDON, March 27. Commemorations of the rebellion of 3 91(> were held throughout the Free State l'or the first time in many years. The Republican elements were given the most complete freedom to demonstrate against the British Empire, hut a, day of anxiety closed without serious disturbance. Fifty mass demonstrations organised by the Republican Army were held throughout the Fri e State, and others wore secretly held in Ulster. Five battalions of the Republican Army paraded at St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, and marched with other Republican bodies to (tlasnevin cemetery where those killed at Easter, lillli, an buried. • Crowds estimated at 30.000 lined the streets. Hundreds of peoph wore Easter lilies to show their Republican sympathies. The Republican Army council’s proclamation was read at every demonstration. This declared the I.R.A.'s determination to combat Imperialist misrepresentation and terrorism, and added: “The fact that the people have angrily overthrown the Ministry which conducted 10 years’ terrorism and anti-republicanism gives renewed hope. An alien minority and ils allied interests will no longer be permitted to place obstacles on the road to freedom. The need for the Republican Army will exist as long as Ireland is held forcibly within the British Empire and tin shackles of the so-called treaty remain. Nothing less than the declaration of 101(1 proclaiming the Irish Republic a sovereign independent State will suffice as the basis of the constitution. Youth must take the lead, break the connection with looting Imperialism, and take power from those serving it here. They must actively support Ulster and strive for national unity and independence." No member of the Government was present at the demonstrations. The Republican troops wore mufti and had instructions not to carry arms. The Daily Telegraph’s Dublin 'correspondent states that the Republican troops’ hearing and discipline were excellent. Prayers were said beside the Republicans’ grave. Mr. Maurice Tuonu-y, after reading the proclamation, declared: “The socalled treaty must go, lock, stock, and barrel. The country wants no political connection with England or the British Empire, and will not have it. There can be no question of legality or honor involved in our relations with England.” The crowds dispersed in an orderly manner. The proclamation ends all doubts of the I.R.A.’s intentions if the oatli is repealed. Mr. Do Valera’s precipitate action has gratifyingly surprised extremists. who a fortnight ago said they expected nothing from the new Government. The demonstrations end all hope that the abolition of the oath will cause the secret army to melt away. The extremists must now dangerously embarrass .Air. De Valera when dm time for negotiations, instead of blunt, valueless challenging, comes. I hough the Ulster Government banned all _ demonstrations, a dense crowd, causing the stoppage of trams, assembled tit the Roman Catholic cemetery at Belfast. Hundreds ot police surrounded the cemetery,, and every entrance was strongly guarded. The assembly cheered a priest’s appeals to maintain good order. The people quietly knelt in 'he roadways and said prayer's tor the dead. The police cordon later withdrew, and allowed a procession of youths wearing Easter lilies to march through the cemetery. Mr. J. Buchanan states that Independent Labor Party members of the House of Commons have decided to hack the Irish Government’s steps regarding the oath, and will strongly oppose attempts to bludgeon or browbeat the Irish people and destroy their right to express their own will.