Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-20
De Valera's Irish Program
May Precipitate Crisis
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, March 19.-President
Eamonn de valera's announcement this
week Of his intention of having the
Irish Free State government repeal the
public safety act, abolish the oath of
allegiance to the King, discontinue the
payment Of land snnuities and claim
restitution Of $4,000, 900 already paid,
foreshadows q crisis in Anglo-Iris re-
lations, which have enjoyed 10 years
Of unexampled cordially.
De Valera does not claim at present
to have q mandate to interfere with
the governor generaiship, but insists
that future developments provide for
the Incorporation Of that office into
the Presidents ONCE and for a de-
nunciation Of the Anglo Irish treaty
in short, complete divorce Of the
Irish Free State from political associa-
ton with the British commonwealth.
This declaration Of immediate and
ultimate intentions created more con-
Germ in Ireland than in England,
though Winston Churchill. one, OF the
signatories Of the treaty, who arrived
in Plymouth from lecture tour In the
United States this, week. said in an
interview that 1t is impossible for Brit
ain to countenance such violation of
the treaty as Is implied In the abot-
f@~a ~ fntN @wa II
the debt.
In Ireland De Valera's policy caused
the deepest dlsquiet In the business
community. Irish exports last year
were f4e, 000, 900, Of which $4,000 900
went to British ports. In other words,
three fourths of the Irish export trade
goes to Britain. In view Of the fact
that Britain has now adopted protec-
ton, Irish exports under the De Valera
policy would lose the preference which
Is contemplated In regard to trade
within the British commonwealth.
In regard to this aspect Of the mat
ter the Irish Times says: 1T means,
that Great Britain will seek to recover
losses on land annuities by means Of
irnportations from the Dutch. which
would kill the Free States cattle trade.
Almost certainly 1t will exclude the Free
State from the Imperial Conference at
Ottawa and from all benefits Of i'm,
perial preference and ultimately ban
ish her from the British Empire. We
sustain ourselves with two hopes: First,
that the program will provoke such ex-
preston Of the British mind as will
force De Valera TO admit economic
facts; second. 1t Is very improbable that
naH vrr141aka ANakofaa forftU
for the treaty, will connive at proposals
to involve the treaty and the country
In equal ruin"
Among the Irish community In Eng
land and Scotland. which IS estimated
to be more numerous than the popula-
ton Of the Free State, much anxiety
Is felt In regard TO their future status
in the country.
*+k
The De Valera policy, as the London
Star in an article Thursday pointed out,
would mean that the Irish would have
to seek naturalization or become aliens,
subject to the operation Of the alien
laws, with all Of the consequent dis
abilities, throughout the British COM
Those disabilities certainly
would be aggravated By the social con-
secuencies Of an aggressive anti British
policy In Dublin and by popular resent
ment against Reputation Of the treaty.
The folly Of the policy ID implicit In
the fact that while Irish exports TO
England are three-fourths OF the Free
States total exports, the British ex-
ports to Ireland amount TO only one
fifteenth Of this country's total, and,
while millions Of Irish would become
aliens In England, there are practically
no British in Ireland to suffer the same
disability.
A decision was made to adjourn the
Dali for month to give De Valera
time to reflect on the consequences of
his policy. In the interval he will |
probably discover more urgent subjects |
than starting an economic war On Eng |
land.
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