BAN DEFIED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 299, 19 December 1933, Page 7

BAN DEFIED

Q’DUFFY ARRESTED LIVELY WESTPORT MEETING POLICE STORM PLATFORM (By Telegraph—Press Assoc* tion—Copyright) DUBLIN, Dee. 17. General O’Duffy was arrested wearing a blue shirt at a political meeting at Westport (Mayo) after a pitched battle between his supporters and 100 police who formed a cordon in the adjacent streets. Major Cronin will be charged in the coming week with sedition, ami being a member of the banned National Guard. Mr. de Valera has decided not to outlaw the League of Youth until its legality is tested in the High Court. The police have been instructed not to interfere with political meetings if they aro orderly, but all Blue Shirt parades under any name must be stopped. With strong reinforcements within easy call, steel-helmeted and gasmasked soldiers patrolled Westport in lorries. The meeting progressed quietly until a cavalcade of 100 heralded the approach of General O’Duffy, whom the police had stopped a mile outside the town. General O’Duffy, with supporters on horseback, entered Westport by another road. The cordon again stopped him, declaring that he must not speak while wearing such a‘garb. Cheering Supporters. General O’Duffy did not resist, but his cheering supporters heaved him shoulder high and charged the police, despite batons, and rushed him to the platform, knocking down men and women. General O’Duffy, amid yelk and counter yells, seized the brief opportunity and shouted: “People of Ireland be calm. Our cause will go on. Though I am imprisoned we shall win.” Police fought through the crowd and stormed the platform. General O’Duffy, surrounded by 100 police and soldiers, was taken to the police barracks, the rearguard repelling his would-be rescuers. A strong guard encircled the barracks. The superintendent was unable to state what charge, was being preferred against General O’Duffy, who is strongly supported locally. Messrs. Fitzgerald, Kenny, and others attempted to continue the meeting amid uproarious free fights and stampeding horses. The police acted with sSf-rcstraint. Not shots were fired. Republicans were scarce. Among those arrested were Messrs. John Cintrey and John Kilcoyne, the latter being the first Blue Shirt to be gaoled, who was making his first appearance since his release, and Captain O’Sullivan, ex-assoeiate of Mr. Michael Collins, who followed Mr. Kilcoyne’s example, defiantly doffing his overcoat and displaying his Blue Shirt wheel speaking prior to General O’Duffy’s arrival. NEWSPAPER’S VIEWPOINT Received Dec. 19. 1 a.m. LONDON, Dec. IS. The Irish Independent, editorially, says it has never been charged that the objects of the United Ireland Party, whereof General O’Duffy is president, are in any way illegal. The public utterances .of General O ’Duffy and other leaders always struck an emphatic note of regard 'for law, order and obedience. Constituted authorities in every democratic country recognise than an opposition plays a useful part in public affairs. The arrest of General O’Duffy has introduced a startling departure from accepted methods. A. political controversy will demand a strict account of the authorities’ action. SENSATION CAUSED INTERVIEWS FORBIDDEN. LONDON, Dec. 17. General O’Duffy’s arrest has caused a sensation in political circles in Dublin, which expects his removal to Arbour Hill barracks, where Mr. Cronin awaits trial on December 21. General O’Duffy may spend Christmas in custody as only two clear days are left for a military tribunal to sit before December 25. Newspaper attempts to interview Mr. de A alera and General O’Duffv regarding the arrest have been forbidden. LEGALITY OF ARREST UNITED PARTY TO MEET Received Doc. 18, 8.6 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 18. Mr. Cosgrave will preside at a meeting of the United Ireland Party to-day to consider measures for testing to the legality of General O’Duffv’ s arrest. DE VALERA AT TRALEE APPEAL FOR UNITY. DUBLIN, Dec. 17. Air. de Valera, escorted by bands and banner bearers, addressed 10,000 people at Tralee. He pleaded for unity and < discipline in Ireland’s economic struggle with England. He also deplored the recent outrages at Kerry. He added that the Ministry was determined to enforce the Government’s authority. They must either* have an ordered democracy or a dictatorship. The Government had 90 per cent. Republicans behind it. The frightening of witnesses would prevent the Courts functioning. Prior to a meeting at Listowel the railway line was damaged and the telephone and telegraph wires ent.