ULSTER LEADER WARNS EIRE

Southland Times, Issue 23647, 24 October 1938, Page 7

ULSTER LEADER WARNS EIRE

Readiness To Resist

By Force THREAT OF CIVIL WAR IN IRELAND (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 23, 7.15 pm.) LONDON, October 23. The Sunday Dispatch reports that the Prime Minister of Ulster (Viscount Craigavon) in an interview declared that civil war would follow any attempt to implement the manifesto issued by

the Prime Minister of Eire (Mr Eamon de Valera), because no Ulster leader could prevent loyalists taking matters into their own hands.

Ulster felt it was time to terminate Mr de Valera’s activities, said Lord Craigavon.

On the eve of the campaign to terminate the partition of Ireland the Prime Minister of Eire (Mr Eamon de Valera) outlined new proposals to unite Eire and Ulster, based on the establishment of .an Ali-Ireland Parliament, representing the six northern and 26 southern counties; the transfer of British powers over Ulster to such a Parliament, which would be established on a proportional, representational vote; and the retention of the local government powers now held by the Northern Parliament. The Prime Minister of Ulster (Viscount Craigavon) meanwhile reiterated 1 his no surrender” attitude. Mr de Valera will inform the Fianna Fail Convention in November that he is opening negotiations with Britain about partition. It is pointed out that British military occupation of the six counties in the event of war would be resented, as it would make civil war almost inevitable. Ireland could not then co-operate with Britain in war time. But a united Ireland could, if her Government decided that it was in her best interests. Lord Craigavon says the northern Nationalists could never complain of their treatment; Ulster’s loyalty to the Crown was never stronger. As this was so, he added, Mr de Valera could cease using her as a weapon to threaten the British Government.