Evening star., 1933-01-22

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day, which was forced upon
- Eamon de Valera by Britain's
pitiless economic warfare
against the Free State, will depend
whether Ireland is to become. almost
Immediately, a completely independent
state, or is to remain indefinitely with
in the orbit of the British common
wealth Of nations.
After a decade of so-called independ-
ence Ireland today faces one OF the
most complicated political situations in
her history. For the Irish voters the
issue never has been clearer. The
stakes never have been higher. They
are patriotism and perhaps privation.
versus partial political subservlency to
King George and improved economic
we'll being ito limited exten).
Confronted with relentless tartt
warfare, inaugurated by the British
government when he contested the an
nual land annuitieS and other pay
ments demanded under the Anglo
Irish treaty, President de Valera has
been cornered within a year after he
assumed direction of the government.
His reply has been characteristics
counter attack in which the Fianna Fail
stands to win all or lose much. With
Ireland's best market and nearest GUS
toner literally "boycotting' Irish farm
produce through a prohibitive tariff, De
Valera could not continue for long
fighting with one hand tied. Now he
is asking carte blanche of the Irish
electorate to make Ireland completely
and absolutely independent. economi-
cally as well as politically, of Great
Britain and her commonwealth.
Following an exceptionally realistic
policy for a politician of his tempera-
ment, President de Valera staged a
masterful bit of strategy when he dis
solved the Dali (parliamenD just as ex-
President Cosgrave and his political
allies were planning to take advantage
of the economic distress and form a
national coalition to oppose De Valera's
Republicans. Such combination might
easily have upset the slim Fianna Fail
majority of six in Parliament.
Time Is Propituous.
Added to this political menace was
the growing revolt among the farmers,
led by Frank MacDermott, an independ-
ent deputy. De Valera had to act
quickly. His majority, made possible
by the support of seven Laborites. could
not be expected to hold Indefinitely.
Furthermore, never was there a more
propituous moment to appeal to the ro-
mantle and temperamental Irish peas
ant and worker than the present.
With Britain's tariff war, imposed as a
means of forcing the Irish to pay what
they characterize as an unfair tribute,
bringing considerable suffering upon the
populace; with President de Valera be-
ing pilloried by London-rightly or
wrongly; with external economic pres
sure being brought to force a political
issue and to drive the Republicans from
Office the ordinary voter can see in the
election only two sides -pro-British and
anti-British.
Ex-President Cosgrave, the Nation
alists, Independents and other factions
which oppose De Valera's Republicans
are being charged with being pro
British and anti-Republican. No
amount of election propaganda can
convince the emotional farmers and
peasants that a vote against De Valera
is not a vote for King George. Cold
reason does not count with Sim Fem
in an election-even if there Is no food
in the larder.
That separation from the British
commonwealth is the ultimate aim of
the Republicans was admitted by both
De Valera and his colleagues at Geneva
recently. The defaulting on land annui-
ties ian annual payment of between
SIS 100000 and s2O,OO0,OOO) was only
one of the steps toward separation.
Adjustment of the oath of allegiance
to King George came easily; oustlng
of the governor general also was not
difficult. Protesting of the annual
tribute" is yet to come to an issue.
Britain's 'retaliation"|by levylng
from 80 to 40 per cent ad valorem
duties on Irish imports, supposedly to
make good the defaulted payments,
seems to have been stupid move. AT
hands. An indication what this eco
nomic strangulation means to the Free
State can be gained when one considers
that between 80 and 80 per cent OF
Ireland's exports ordinarily go to Eng
| land. Also Ireland, in recent years,
has been England's best customer, buy
| ing more than even India or the United
States.
Harsh Blow Startling.
The effect of the duties" levied
under the special duties act, has been
striking. During the first II months
of 1882 Irish exports to Britain dropped
by $45,000,000 (par exchange rate).
tries) decreased about $25, 900, 900. or
about IA per cent, while exports to
all countries decreased by 40 per cent
Irish farmers found themselves at the
end of the year with 100000 head of
cattle, which should have been con-
sumed in England, on their hands,
| loss of around $25,000,00
Another count that the Republicans
are bringing against Britain is the in
crease in unemployment. In the last
IL months unemployment has gained
241 per cent, according to employment
exchange statistics. A couple of years
ego when all the world was beginning
to feel the pinch, Ireland alone ap-
peared immune and her idle army was