Irish Republican Failure

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 80, 25 June 1927, Page 5

Irish Republican Failure

Denied Admittance to Dail

Would Not Take Allegiance Oath

EXCITEMENT in Dublin was at fever heat on Thursday, after the re-election of Mr. W. T. Cosgrave as President of the Irish Free State Dail. “We will not take the oath,” was the cry of the De Valeraites, who went in procession to the Dail. They were refused admittance. Hundreds of civic guards were stationed in the vicinity of the Dail, and near-by streets were closed to traffic.

(from Our Parliamentary Correspondent) LONDON, Thursday. Mr. COSGFIAVE announced that his new Cabinet was as follows:

President of the Executive Council.— Mr.Cosgrave. Vice-President, Justice and Internal Affairs.— Mr. Kevin O’Higgins. Finance. —Mr. Ernest Blythe. Defence. —Mr. Desmond Fitzgerald. Industry and Commerce.—Mr. Patrick McGilligan. Education. —Professor J. M. O’Sulliand Agriculture.—Mr. Patrick Hogan. Fisheries. —Mr. Finian Lynch. Local Government. —General Mulcahy. Post and Telegraphs.—Mr. J. J. Walsh. POLITICIANS KNEEL TOGETHER Mr. Eamorin de Valera and his followers refused to take the oath of allegiance and were denied admittance to tite Dail. Mr. Cosgrave has triumphed in an atmosphere strangely akin to that of other years. The demonstration of the Republicans is described as a rank failure. Excitement was at fever-heat all day in anticipation of the actions of the de Valeraites, but the Government took stern measHundreds of civic Jruards were statoned in the vicinty of the Dail and he a d j q i n i ng itreets were closed o traffic. Every>ody was closely luestioned before idmittance to the House. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave The leaders of the opposing forces assembled and a Roman Catholic service was conducted by the Archbishop of Dublin. The vast congregation was thrilled by the spectacle of the wagers of political warfare kneeling shoulder to shoulder. They were cheered to the echo on emerging. “ABOLISH THE OATH” Later in the day Mr. de Valera’s supporteds arrived from all parts in motor-cars, lorries and waggons inscribed with the phrase: “Abolish the oath.’

A few processions moved in the itreets carrying banners on which was he declaration: “We will not take the

_______ The De Valei'ail eS a then walked to the Dail and produced their credentials. They were admitted to the lobb es and formally informed that they could not be seated without taking the oath. One by cne they refused and protested noisily that the officials had no power tb However. every Mr. de Valera door leading into the Chamber was locked and strongly guarded. Mr. de Valera then led his party out to the street again. There they boarded their waggons and other vehicles and paraded, acknowl€:dging the cheers of onlookers. In the meantime the remainder of the elected', members assembled in the Dail, where Mr. Johnson, Leader of the Labour Party, said he proposed to a division on the question whether Mr. Cosgrave should be re-elected. Mr. Baxter, Leader of the Farmers’ Party, said they would not oppose Mr. Cosgrave’s re-election, but would support him only when they agreed with his policy. The Leader of the Nationalists said his party was prepared to support any Government, irrespective of party, which would maintain law and order. “TREATY MUST REMAIN” The Assembly then elected Mr. Cosgrave, who said: “If I accept office it is onliy on the clearest understanding that I shall receive the support necessary to carry out my programme. I have no intention of tampering with the treaty or the Constitution. “The House cannot remove the obligation to take the oath until it is denounced and altered. The treaty must also remain. The Government has no intention of endangering the cordial relations the Free State enjoys with Britain for the purpose of saving faces. “Mr. de Valera and his party are not kept out of the Dail because of the oath, but because they are sheltering behind subterfuges.”—A. and N.Z.