FREE STATE DISPUTE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 287, 5 December 1933, Page 5

FREE STATE DISPUTE

' DE VALERA S POLICY THE BRITISH ATTITUDE SERIOUSNESS GF POSITION 1 By Telegraph - IE esc Association—Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 3. 11 is now clear that notes have been exchanged between the Hon. J. H. i honias (Dominions Secretary) and Mr. de Valeia preliminary to a statement Mr. Thomas is making in the House oi Commons on December 5. Official quaiters are reticent, but there appears to be no doubt, says the Observer, that letteis have been ex changed since the recent statement in the House of Commons stressing the seriousness with which the Govern incut has regarded the Free State's proposed legislation affecting the position of the Crown. The Daily Express says that three notes have passed between Mr. Thomas and Mr. de Valera during the past ten days. Air. Thomas initiated them, conveying the Government’s views to Air. de Valera, who replied. He contended that there had been no breach of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and challenged Air. Thomas to indicate clearly Britain’s intentions in the event of the declaration of a Republic. Other quarters say that Air. Thomas replied, stating plainly the effect of such a declaration. “Yes’’ or “No.” Some politicals express the opinion that Air. Thomas’ statement may precipitate matters leading to an early election in the Free (State, when the issue would be nothing less than “Yes” or “No” on the question of a Republic. Irish people here are in a state of suspense. They realise what they would lose if a Republic was proclaimed, though as the law stands nothing can take from Irishmen their British nationality except a Statute passed by the Imperial Parliament. Without this all Irish people, except those born in the Free State after the declaration of a Republic, would remain British subjects. The Sunday Times says that an attempt by one Dominion to vary the basic conditions of membership of the British Commonwealth or evolve a new relationship raises issues affecting all of the Dominion Governments.

Those accused who wore guilty of rioting and assaulting General O’Duffy at Tralee on October 6 were sentenced as follows: Four to six months’ gaol, eight to four months, and the others to keep the peace for a year, or three months’ gaol.

FIGHT WITH FISTS FACTIONS IN IRELAND. LONDON, Dec. 3. Blue Shirts and Republicans fought with Lists at Cork on (Saturday night and several. were injured. A police baton charge raised the siege of the Blue Shirt headquarters. A procession of Bine (Shirts escorted to Cork General O’Duffy and Air. Blythe after a meeting at Queenstown, where Air. Blythe resisted a police attempt to silence him. The superintendent fruitlessly appealed to Air. Cronin, who defied the “gangster Government” to suppress free speech.

Messrs. Blythe’s and Cronin’s refusal to wear, as hitherto, civvies over their blue shirts is regarded as a direct challenge to the Government. General O’Duffy appeared in a lounge suit, but blue shirt at Afacroom, whore he spoke after the town had been isolated by cutting the telegraph and telephone wires and felling trees on the roadsides, necessitating the police and soldiers hacking through as a preliminary to preserving order.