Many Irishmen Not Greatly Enamoured Of Republic

Chronicle (Levin), 20 April 1949, Page 5

Many Irishmen Not Greatly Enamoured Of Republic

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter,

, Cogyright)

Received Tuesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, April 19. "The farther we are away from the Commonwealth the closer we are to it.' This, aceording to The Times' Dublin's eorrespondent was the point whie!i President, Sean O'Kelly and Prini'i Alinister Costello wer-e at pains to make in their speeches last niglt at the con clusion of a week-end of celebrationwhich inaugurated the new Republie of Eire. The celebrations4 the eorrespondent says, were carefully prepared but they failed to rouse much enthusiasm among Dubliners. It is true that almoju. 40,000 people' gathered in O'Conne. Square shortly 'after midnight on Sun day to watch the 21-giin salvo which heralded the new Republie. Another 50,000 went to Phoenfx Park late lasi night to see the fireworks display buj. the main event, the Army parath through the principal streets at midday, was poorly attended. Truth is, the eorrespondent adds that the people are not greatly en amoured of Alr. Costello 's Repubnc They regard the introduetion of the Repeal of the External Relations Am which otlieially cut the last links be tween Eire and the Commonwealth, aa pieee of rather cute politics on tht part of Alr. Costello. The majority oi those who supported Alr. Costello 's Ftne Gael Party at the last elections, thought he would retain the_ Commonwealth link. They believe "that the declara tion of the Republie will make littn constitutional change and that it is in tended largely as window dressing ani as an attempt to embarrass Alr dt Valera.