MR DE VALERA OPPOSES USE OF FORCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1939, Page 7

MR DE VALERA OPPOSES USE OF FORCE

Because He Knows It Would Not Succeed IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY CALLED TO ACCOUNT ARRESTS OF EXTREMISTS EXPECTED By Telegraph.—Press Association • -Copyright. LONDON, February 8. A surprise was caused in the Eire Senate today when the Prime Minister, Mr de Valera, in reply to a question, stated hie attitude in regard to the Irish Republican outrages in England. According to one report Mr de Valera said that he believed that the British people and the British Government would like to end the injustice of partition, which would justify the use of force if there was any chance of force succeeding, but he knew it would not succeed. He did not advocate the use of force, as it could only

damage the situation, which had been improving. According to another report Mr de Valera’s words were:—“l am opposed to a policy cf force, but, if we had the strength of some continental nations, I would not hesitate to go north and put an end to the coercion of the nationalists. 1 do not think, however, that

that would provide a permanent solution of the problem.” Then, obviously alluding to the Irish Republican Army’s ultimatum regarding the witndrawal of British troops from Ireland, he said, ‘‘there is another matter which is a definite challenge. No other body has the right to speak,for the Irish people but ourselves as the lawful Government. (Laud applause.) We shall carrry out our obligations and shall not allow a situation to develop such as is to be found on the Continent where the people have been robbed of their freedom.’*

Mr de Valera then sprang a surprise when, intervening in the partition debate after the speech by Mr Kelly, he announced that Bills would be introduced on February 8 to provide the necessary powers to enable the Government to maintain its position and authority. It is understood that the Public Safety Act may be revived and the military tribunal restored. Mr de Valera’s announcement caused a sensation in Dublin, where the arrests of extremists are expected to follow immediately.

Mr de Valera began his reply by deprecating Mr Kelly’s reference to the men who were charged in London and said they could only regret that things were happening which they did not want to happen while the Government was trying to concentrate public opinion on the partition issue.

There are now no British troops in effective occupation in Southern Ireland, though there may be some small units engaged in the process of “wash-ing-up” duties after the British occupation. ... Britain’s interest in the defence of Southern Ireland was expressly terminated by the Anglo-Irish Agreement announced in April last. This agreement declared that the provisions of the 1921 Agreement, which reserved “the defence by sea” of the Irish Free State to Britain till such time as the Free State could defend itself and under which the Free State agreed to give the use of its harbour facilities to Britain were terminated.

The United Kingdom Government agreed to transfer to the Government of Eire the Admiralty property and the harbour defences at Berehaven, Cobh, and Lough Swilly not later than December 31 last. There are, however, British troops in Northern Ireland which is a British military command.