Evening star., 1933-08-20
De Valera Scores First
Victory Over fascists
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON. August 19-Order still
reigns in Dublin, despite many alarms
and forebodingS President De Valera
may be said to have had his first trial
of strength with Gen. O'Duffy and the
National Guard ana to nave scored a
blcodless victory.
1t had been announced that on Sun
day last the Blue Slirts would marcl!
through the city to Leinster Hall, where
Gen. O'Duf1y would place a wreath CT
cornfloWers on a memorial to the Irish
patriots, Collins, O'Higgins and Grit
fifth and deliver an Grafton. Special
trains had been chartered to bring ad-
herents to Dublin from all parts OF Ire
land, and the London newspaper
rushed special correspondents across
St. Georges Channel in anticipation
of trouble.
But De Valera banned the procession
and the Blue Shirt leader. feeling
doubtless that it would be folly to take
up the challenge with heavy odds
against him. callsd it eff. Instead he
ordered tina church parcoes be held to-
morrow in to7 rs ard v.iiag-5 through
out the Irish Free Ssats. Such paredes
would plain4y have ETc cntod the gov
ernment with much more serious
problem, holding out the possibility of
disorders over a wide area. But while
De Valera and his advisers were consid-
ering the best line of action. the church
took a hand. and ODuffy. yielding to
not unfriendly counsel from that quar-
ter. also Cancelled tcmorrows demon
strations.
1t has now gone forth that the Blue
Shirts will parade at such time and
place as may be decided by each dis
trict director in order to hear mes
frnr,, n'D1Jffyr P,It ic ny,
the cards that the De Valera govern
ment will prescribe the whole organiza-
ton, although the government is said
to fear to drive underground a move
ment which is already dangerous and
which would not unlikely-things being
what they are in 1reland-receive a
definite impetus if it were declared L.
legal. In any case, 1t is probable that
all such gatherings as are projected will
be banned
IL may be remembered that Michael
Collins was aSsaSsinated in 1922 at
Bandon, County Cork. while on his way
to mass. and it is here that one of the
most important Blue Shirt gatherings
| is expected to take place. Collins is
still regarded by the masses of Irish
opinion as glorious patriot, who was
sacrificed in his prime by the men now
in power. but West Cork is the strong
hold of the Irish Republican Army,
feelings run high and the meeting. if
allowed. will be watched with particular
anxiety
1t is clearly to the interest Of O'Duffy
and his party to avoid trouble. and it
has already been shown that he realizes
this. He needs time to complete his
organization and win the sympathy of
he OH p,,t lit Il
realized no less by De Valera, and there
is plenty of evidence that he is prepar-
ing to grasp the nettle firmly.
At long meeting Tuesday night the
Executive Council discussed measures Of
supreme Importance to the Free State,
as well as to the governments exist
ence 1t is believed that one of these
was the suppression of the Blue Shirts,
but no announcement was made An
other is the appointment of a military
tribunal under the public safety act.
Should this tribunal be set up and ever
exercise its power, over life ard death
without appeal, it might be possible t.
say that If ODuffy had alarmed his
friends as well as enemies by proposals
for new social order, based on Italian
Fascism, De Valera had gone him one
better" and brought into Ireland the
methods Of Moscow
But it has to be said that military
tribunal with the same powers func-
toned under William Cosgrave without
ever copying the OGPU of Moscow and
without public scandal, and If it is given
new incarnation it is likely to do so
again. That its revival is now being
considered Is. nevertheless, sure index
to the precariousness Of the political
situation in the Free State and Of the
fears entertained by the De Valera gov
ernment.
Dublin. meanwhile is nervous Banks
and business houses are no longer al
Lived to possess arms for protection
There is talk of euuipping their stats
with tear gas bombs, and some banks
are sending rare pictures, jewels and
family heirlooms to London for safety.
(Copyright 1o33.)