EIRE HOSTILE TO CONSCRIPTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 123, 28 May 1941, Page 5

EIRE HOSTILE TO CONSCRIPTION

STATEMENT BY MR. DE VALERA COUNTRY’ NOT TO BE USED FOR ATTACK ON BRITAIN Dublin, May 26. "There couldn’t be a more grievous attack on any fundamental human right than to compel an individual to fight by force for a country to which he objected to belong,’’ said Mr. de i Valera, speaking on conscription in a ! crowded Dail. “The six northern counties have i always been part of Ireland, and the ■inhabitants Irishmen. Nothing can alter that. There isn’t an Irishman in the world who does not regard the continuance of the partition as a I deadly wound inflicted on the body of this nation. In the northern counties over a third of the population has vehemently protested against the cutting off from the main body of the nation. “We are determined to keep our pledge not to permit our territory to be used for attack again t Britain, 1 but if Britain persists in enforcing I conscription the people of the two islands will be thrown back to the I old unhappy relations,” Mr. de Valera I added, “it would be wanton in the I present welter of death and destruction to stir up anew those old bitternesses.’’ Mr. Cosgrave, supporting Mr. de Valera, said the situation was so serious that it might involve the vary existence of Eire. ' The Irish Parliamentary Labour Party telegraphed Labour members lof the British Government saying I that grave resentment of conscription I would result in bitterness and strife, urging the Labour members of the British Government to use their influence to prevent this ‘ act of aggression.”—U.P.A.