IRISH TERRORISTS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20726, 9 February 1939, Page 9

IRISH TERRORISTS

SURPRISE IN SENATE PRESIDENT INTERVENES LEGISLATION PROPOSED PUBUC SAFETY ACT (United Press Assn.—Elcc. Tel. Copyright; LONDON, Feb. 7 Mr de Valera. President, sprang a surprise in the Eire Senate to-night when intervening in the partition debate. He announced that Bills would be introduced on Wednesday to provide the necessary powers to enable the Government to maintain its position and authority. It is understood the Public SafetyAct may be revived and the military tribunal restored. The announcement caused a sensation in Dublin, where arrests of ex--1 tremists are expected to follow immediately. Mr de Valera began by deprecating Mr Kelly’s reference to the London charges 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. Then, obviously alluding to the Irish Republican Army ultimatum, 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. (Loud applause). We shall carry out our obligations but will not allow a situation to develop similar to that on the Continent, where the people have been robbed of their freedom." After announcing the legislation. Mr de Valera said he believed the British people and the Government would like to end the partition injustice which would justify the use of force if there were any chance of succeeding, but he knew it would not succeed, and he would not advocate the use of force which could only damage a situation which had been improving. Opposed to Force According to another report, Mr de Valera said: “I am opposed to a policy of 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. I do not think, however, that that would provide a permanent solution of the problem.” MEABUREB IN KIRK DEALING WITH EXTREMISTS STRENGTHENING THE LAW TWO MEASURES INTRODUCED (Official Wireless) (Received Feb. 9. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 8 The Eire Minister of Justice, Mr P. J Huttledge, according to Dublin reports, to-day asked leave of I lie DaiJ lo introduce a measure bringing up-to-date the present Treason Law, and , a measure entitled the “Offences i Against the Slate BiP.” The latter, according to these reports, proposes to make provision in relation to actions as conduct calculated to undermine public order and the authority of the State, and for that purpose provide for the pun- ' ishment of persons guilty of an offence against the State, to regulate control in the public interest of the for- , rnation of associations, and to establish special criminal courts under • Article XXXVIII of the Constitution, and provide for the constitution of the powers and jurisdiction of such ; courts. Article XXXVIII of the Eire Constitution authorises the setting up of courts to try certain criminal cases without juries. Leave to introduce the Bill was granted by 79 votes to 8, after Mr Huttledge said the Eire Government had decided on the Bills because it was known powers were needed to deal with certain organisations. He is reported as referring to an Irish Republican Army proclamation, issued in Dublin last December, when a certain body purported to hold itself out as a Government. Text of the Bills The texts of two Bills to deal with extremists has been circulated. The first modernises and amplifies the existing Treason Law and the second, which is entered “Offences Against the State Bill,’’ provides measures against actions calculated to undermine public order and the authority of the State. It provides also for the punishment off offenders and control over the formation of associations and also for the establishment of special criminal courts under Article XXXVIII of the Constitution, which enables trial without a jury. MORE ARRESTS FOUR MADE IN BELFAST (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 9, i 1140 a.m.) BELFAST, Feb. 8 Four men were arrested after the discovery of Irish Republican Army posters reading: “We. citizens of the Irish Republic, demand the release of Republicans from the Ulster Gaols” which had been placarded on public , buildings. LONDON, Feb. 8 In England to-day two other men were charged in the courts in connection with the recent bombing outrages and were remanded.