IRISH FREE STATE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 11 June 1932, Page 5

IRISH FREE STATE

DE VALERA VISITS LONDON TO RESUME DISCUSSIONS. Press Association Electric LONDON, Friday. Cheers from a large crowd, mingled with some hooting, greeted Mr de Valera and his party on their arrival at Euston Station to resume discussions with Ministers on the difficulty between the two countries in relation to the negotiations in connection with the Ottawa Imperial Economic Conference. The party was met by Mr J. 11. Thomas and Mr Malcolm MacDonald, afterwards breakfasting together. Exceptional precautions were taken to guard the sleeping ear in which the party remained for some hours after its arrival, a large squad of railway yjolice and Scotland Yard specials forming a cordon. NO AGREEMENT. (Received Saturday, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. The Irish Conference has concluded. No agreement was reached. The conversations commenced at 11.30 a.m., were adjourned at 1.20 p.m. and resumed after lunch. There is not the slightest indication of the line taken during the discussions. Nobody emerged from the building at lunch time, but there was some change of plans because previously Mr De Valera’s intention was to devote the afternoon to sightseeing. CAUSE OF BREAKDOWN. (Received Saturday, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, Friday. The "Sun” learns that the breakdown was due to Mr De Valera’s insistence on the right to abolish the oath, and Britain’s insistence that it would violate the treaty. The discussions, which never progressed beyond this point, were doomed from the outset, when it was abundantly clear that the respective views were as wide apart as the poles. Britain actually hinted her willingness to submit the matter of annuities to an Empire tribunal, but the question was never seriously discussed, because the oath deadlock rendered the position hopeless. Meanwhile the Ottawa position is complicated. It is understood that Mr R. B. Bennett’s pressure was primarily responsible for the Anglo-Irish meeting. Mr Bennett hoped that the conversations would clear the atmosphere. Crowds at Whitehall, many waving Irish Hags, vociferously cheered Mr de Yalera when he was motoring to his train, where there was a dramatic climax. Mr Thomas, sitting in a compartment’ facing Mr De Valera, w r as seen leaning across the table, talking and shaking his forefinger in a characteristic gesture of pleading with Mr De Valera for ten minutes. " Mr De Valera silently leant back, without speaking, obviously immovable. The guard’s shrill whistle terminated the drama. Mr Thomas rose and shook hands. He stepped on to the platform, removed his hat, and wiped his brow in a gesture of despair.

CRISIS POSSIBLE. RUGBY, Thursday. Drastic changes in the Bill for the removal of the Oath of Allegiance were made when the measure was considered in Committee by the Irish Free State Senate yesterday, and as a result the whole political situation in the Free State has undergone a considerable change. At the outset De Valera was asked whether, in view of the discussions now proceeding with the British Government on the difficulties which have arisen regarding the negotiations in connection with the Ottawa Conference, further'consideration of the Bill should bo deferred. He replied that the Government’s attitude to the Oath Bill remained unchanged, and that an amendment to the effect that the operation of the Bill should be postponed until after an agreement had 'been reached with Britain could not possibly be accepted. The debate accordingly proceeded. The Senate accepted the clause abolishing the Oath, but deleted that part of the Bill which repeals section 2 of the Free State Constitution which prevents enactment of any legislation opposed to the terms of the Irish Treaty. A further amendment was passed postponing the enactment of the whole measure until an agreement Avas reached with the British Government. If the Dail rejects the amended Bill, ■eighteen months must elapse before the Bill can be reintroduced and passed despite the Senate’s opposition. Alternati\’cly, Mr de Valera might decide to declare for an immediate general election.

The newpapers think the latter course unlikely.