IRELAND’S FUTURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1986, 5 June 1919, Page 1

IRELAND’S FUTURE.

DE VALERA INTERVIEWED. In interview was obtained with Mr cle Valera in Dublin on February 24th, by Mr Ralph F. Couch, an American journalist, after extreme precautions had been taken by the Sinn Feiners. Mr Couch was picked up at night at a specially chosen rendezvous, as in the novels, and conducted by a circuitous route, in a closed motor car, round and about a village somewhere near Dublin. Suddenly a second car came alongside that of the Sinn Feiners, who then drew Mr Couch’s cap 'well down over his head and thrust him into the second car.

| More riding about followed, and ! then, with his eyes still covered, Mr Couch was led into a house and conducted into a richly furnished room. His eyes, were uncovered, and he found himself in the presence of De Valera. The leader of Sinn Fein said: — “If the Paris Conference fails to lake steps to extend self-determina-tion to Ireland, violence will be the only alternative left to Irish palriotsf This will mean something like continued revolution until Ireland’s rights are recognised. “We hope to avoid violence, but if we must fight again to regain our rights we shall not hesitate. Ireland must have complete independence. It is a big job we have undertaken, bud wc are going to win, I think every man in Ireland will be willing to back up our demands when we make them. “Meanwhile we have .vav C.M\ramenl completely organised. We can take over the administration our country at a moment’s notice. That is what the Irish Republican Government was organised fur.”