SMOULDERING FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1931, Page 6

SMOULDERING FIRE

IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. LEADERS’ CANDID STATEMENT. LONDON, August 24. A special correspondent of the “Daily Express’’ at Dublin interviewed the leaders of the llrish Republican .Army at the offices of the Gaelic newspaper, “An Phoblacht-,” trank Ryan, an ex-schoolmaster, who is slightly deaf, but whose blue eyes are ablaze with burning zeal tor his cause, and Geoffrey Coulter, recently of Trinity College, Dublin, a studious looking youth, wearing a khaki shirt, riding breeches and military top-boots. Tile two men talked with the correspondent for 'nearly three hours, the ■lrishmen answering his questions with astonishing candour. They said plainly that the Irish Republican Army believed in force and the taking of life in certain circumstances. During a discussion on the ethics of killing, Ryan disclosed the consideration which would decide whether death sentences would be enforced : “We regard the Republican Army as still, at war with Britain," he said “The Free State Ministers are merely agents of the British Criminal Investigation Department. When that department meddles with politics it interferes with matters that do not concern lit. . , , ••We need only to give the word anri every Criminal” Investigation Department man would be wiped off the streets of Dublin in .a night," be said. He concluded with the remar <: “Enriaml will soon be concerned in another war that will end her rule, in Ireland.” . _____