EIRE PROTESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 January 1942, Page 2

EIRE PROTESTS

AGAINST LANDINGS OF U.S.A. TROOPS — }- DE,VALERA ISSUES LONG 1 STATEMENT. NO COMMUNICATION RECEIVED. LONDON, January 27. Mr de Valera, in a long statement, has protested against the arrival of United States troops in Northern Ireland. The Government of Eire, he states, received no communication from either Britain or the United States before the troops came across the Atlantic. He protested against the partition of Ireland. The people of Ireland had no hostile feelings towards the United States and did not wish to be brought in conflict with her. COMBAT TROOPS WELL TRAINED & EQUIPPED. LARGE CROWDS WATCH ARRIVAL. LONDON, January 26. The contingent consists of several thousand infantrymen. They are combat troops, with the usual components of field artillery. They crossed the Atlantic escorted by British and American warships without incident. They are well trained and well armed with the most modern weapons. People who watched their disembarkation were impressed by their fine physique and martial bearing. Many bore Irish names, being the sons and grandsons of men who had emigrated to the United States, and they said they were pleased to be in the land from which their forbears came. The first man to disembark was the commanding officer, Major-General Kartell, who was welcomed by the Governor of Northern Ireland, the British Air Minister, Sir Archibald Sinclair, and the Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Mr Andrews. As General Kartell came ashore the band of the Royal Ulsters played the United States National Anthem.

The news of the arrival quickly spread and large crowds gathered to see the men march from the docks to „ the station, with the band of a famous Irish regiment at their head. Some of the Americans, reached camp in moonlight, carying hurricane lamps to warn traffic, and singing “Marching Through Georgia.” Their ranks had a tendency to wander to the righthand side of the road, and the British sergeant leading them had occasionally to direct them to the other side. The British and American nayics took part in escorting the contingent across the Atlantic. Till the coast of Ireland was sighted, none of the men knew exactly where they were going, though there had been rumours.