Evening star., 1937-05-01

adopted for like purposes by any group
in the League of Nations with which
the Fire Ireland) is or becomes asso-
ciated for the purpose of international
cooperation in matters OF common
concern"
This section, some observers believed.
left loophole for continuance of
common action with the British En-
pire in matters of foreign policy.
The constitution would give the
Irish Free State the ancient name of
the country Fire" and establish
Gaelic as the predominant national
language. De Valera used both Gaelic
and English in publishing the docu-
ment
1.-THE London press received the
declaration of sovereignty with calm,
cool skepticism. The conservative
Telegraph termed it dream consti-
tuition" declaring that Fire cannot
be sovereign because its authority will
not be recognized by Ulster The
Mail quoted j. NJ. Barbour, Ulster
Northern Ireland) minister of COM
merce, as saying: For De Valera to
speak for the whole of Ireland is fan
tastic. There is nothing to prevent
him from putting the idea in his con-
stitution, but it is too absurd to con-
template. We stay where We are"l
(The Post, official conservative Or
gan, termed the document reflection
Of De Valera's 'implacable and pc
dantic mind and love Of make
believe, so dear to the Irish charac-
ter."D
Inspiration From U. S.
The provisions of the constitution
suggested De Valera found inspiration
from the United States Constitution
and the papal encyclicals. notably
those of Pope Leo VIII 1t opened
with prayer to the Holy Trinity.
The keystone of the new legislative
set-up would be the presidency, with
the executive elected for terms of sew
en- years by direct vote of the people.
The executive would appoint, on nom-
House Of ParliamenD, a prime min
lister, or taolseach, to head the cab
met. Composition of the Dali would
remain unchanged.
| De Valera's present post is pres
ident of the executive council" The
highest executive Office formerly was
that of governor general, appointed
by the crown.
That position disappeared last De-
cember when Donal Buckley, an old
Irish Republican, appointed by King
George V in 1882, signed the Dails
act abollshing his f1000O-a-year job
(s50,0OO)-in effect abolishing his
own position.
Proposes Novel Method.
Under the new constitution the gap
caused by abolishment of the gov
ernor- -generalship would be filled by
the President. Exclusive legislative
powers would be held by the two
| houses of the Parliament, Dali and
| Seanad Eireann, or Senate.
| De Valera abolished the former
Senate a year ago, declaring it frus-
trated the wishes of the people. The
new Senate would be chosen by
novel method. The prime minister
would nominate II members and the
! 40 others would be elected in voca-
tional panels after each general cleo
| ton.
Three senators each would be elected
by the National University and Dublin
University and the others would be
chosen to represent language, culture,
education, agriculture, fisheries, or.
ganized and unorganized labor. in
dustry, commerce, public administra-
! ton and social service.
The old constitution, conferred by
British royal proclamation in 1922,
would be discarded and with 1t its
system OF military tribunals for pollti-
cal offenders, these to be replaced with
special courts to try cases in which
juries are likely to be intimidated.
The constitution would carry guar
antees of fundamental rights Of per-
son. family, education, private prop
erty and religion, recognizing the
Roman Catholic Church as guardian
of the faith of the country's majority.
but denying no rights to other re-
ligions. Divorce would be barred un-
der the provision that mo law shall
be enacted providing for the grant Of
a dissolution Of marriage"
Directive principles of social policy.
based on papal encylicals, were out
lined for the guidance of Parliament.
During the three years after the con-
stitution becomes effective, Parlia-
ment. subject to discretion Of the
president, would be permitted to
amend the document.