“PEOPLE OF IRISH REPUBLIC”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19512, 10 June 1933, Page 17

“PEOPLE OF IRISH REPUBLIC”

TOASTED BY AMERICAN OFFICIAL LIVELY SENSATION ON EVE OF CONFERENCE United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received June 9, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON. June 9. The Cork correspondent of the "Daily Express” says: An astonishing incident signalised the reception of Mr Cordell Hull (United States Secretary of Trade and head of the United States delegation). When publicly welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Cork and others, Mr Hull said: "People of the Irish Republic, I greet you on behalf of the oldest Republic in the West. I greet the newest Republic, and it is only fitting the new Republic and the Old should meet.” Mr Hull went on to say that the American people could not, in a thousand years, repay their debt to the Irish race. He raised his glass to the "Health of the President of the Irish Republic.” Mr Aitken, Irish Minister of Defence, responded. Mr Hull has since explained that the speech had no diplomatic or political significance. He realised the slip might create an unfortunate incident, and he made a vain attempt to prevent it being reported. He explained on his behalf that the word “republic” had been used in the confusion of the moment. Mr Hull received the Lord Mayor in the saloon of the liner, President Roosevelt. at Queenstown, en route to Plymouth.