IRISH FREE STATE

Southland Times, Issue 22295, 10 April 1934, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

INDEPENDENCE CLAIM RELATIONS WITH THE DOMINIONS MR DE VALERA EXPLAINS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, April 8. Mr de Valera, in a special interview with the Sun-Herald Service, disclosed the aims and future relationships of the Free State with the other members of the British Commonwealth. The interviewer asked what could the dominions expect would be his Government's attitude towards relationship, say with Australia, on the attainment of his objective of complete Irish independence. Mr de Valera replied: “I am sincerely and genuinely anxious to secure good relationships with all States of the British Commonwealth. There is much in common to draw us together in a free association. Ties of kindred and common interests merit recognition. All this, nevertheless, is secondary. Our paramount aim is to obtain the real independence of our people. We have struggled for this for over seven centuries and will not rest until we are successful. If we are not allowed independence without completely severing relations with the countries of the Commonwealth, then we are prepared for that. “Australians and Canadians find difficulty in understanding our attitude, because their past relations with Britain are different from ours. Canada and Australia are prepared to regard Britain as their mother country, but to us Britain has been an invader, who, centuries ago, robbed us of our national sovereignty and has since resisted our efforts to regain it. “We are not bound to Britain by any ties of filial regard,” declared Mr de Valera. “We regard ourselves as much a mother country as is Britain. That is proved by the multitude of Irishmen, not only in the United States, but also in Australia and Canada. The fact that so many Irishmen have settled in the States of the Commonwealth is one of my reasons for believing that once our independence is accepted, a practical scheme for association and cooperation in matters of common interest, obviously including trade and defence, could be worked out.” RAILS TORN UP GENERAL O’DUFFY’S OPPONENTS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London. April 8. Opponents of General O'Duffy tore up the rails at Two stations on the Tullamore line this morning to prevent supporters attending his meeting. They also cut the telephone wires. General O'Duffy declared that Mr de Valera had become the toreador of Irish politics. He wanted to bait John Bull in order to appeal to the people with the cry: “Don’t cling to the British.”