FREE STATE’S RIGHT OF SECESSION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19862, 27 July 1934, Page 9

FREE STATE’S RIGHT OF SECESSION

HIGH COURT’S IMPORTANT DECISION United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON. July 25. Writing in “The Times” Mr F. MacDermont, member of the Dail Eireann and a prominent United Ireland Party leader, suggests that Great Britain would be as wise to abandon the ■Anglo-Irish Treaty as America would be to abandon her claim to the war debts.

“The treaty is exploited to the utmost by Mr de Valera and his fol - lowers as a symbol of compulsion,” says Mr MacDermont. “If Irishmen felt that compulsion did not exist they would not consider the question of seceding. “Every objection to the existence of an unfriendly Irish Republic applies equally to an unfriendly Free State. “I object to leaving the Commonwealth of British Nations, especially for the sake of unity in Ireland, which I believe can only be obtained within the Commonwealth. Great Britain’s early recognition of the right of secession would have far-reaching and good effects.” STATUS OF MILITARY TRIBUNAL. DECISION OF HIGH COURT. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright DUBLIN. July 24. After the High Court had declared the Military Tribunal an “inferior court” with limited jurisdiction, thus quashing the sentence of two years’ imprisonment imposed on Captain Hughes, a member of the Blue Shirts, for alleged attempt to bribe a detective, the Free State Government released 23 Republicans and 14 other prisoners, including Blue Shirts, the majority of whom were serving sentences imposed by the Military Tribunal.

It is believed that several political prisoners awaiting trial are still detained. Political circles express the opinion that the Government will now repeal the Public Safety Act, under which the tribunal was constituted.

IRISH LEADER’S ADVICE TO BRITAIN