The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-11-20

press statements that it would be
just as feasible for ireland to lease
ports to Britain as it was for Britain
to lease bases to the United States
But there is no analogy at all,
he replied. I'm one case it is leaS-
ing territory to a neutral. The other
case 1t is leasing a neutral's terri
tory to one belligerent to attack
another.
There is in this matter, of course,
another difference between the
United States and ireland that
should be noted. A great power like
the United States is sufficiently
strong if it became involved in war
to influence the course of the war.
But ireland is a small nation and
cannot hope to do that.
Moreover, a great power even if
it is defeated may retain its liberty,
although it may lose some of its pos
sessions. But small state like Ire
land, If it involves itself in war
risks the loss of everything, even
its liberty. 1t should accordingly
avoid war if at all possible"
Ireland Has One Reply
I asked about reports in the Brit
ish press that the United States may
try to persuade Ireland to lease the
ports to Britain.
He replied that in view Of the
considerations which he had just
mentioned Ireland could give only
one reply. He further expressed the
conviction that as the United States
itself is concerned with keeping out
of the war it could not at the same
time ask Ireland to take step
which would bring Ireland into war
De Valera then emphasized that
the Irish nation needs peace and
pointed out that Ireland has been
harassed by wars of one kind or
another for the past quarter of a
century.
"Dev" Seeks Only Peace
It was not the first time had
heard "Dev" as he is affection
ately known in Ireland - speaks fol
peace when war was in the air. Five
years ago in the assembly of the
League of Nations he made fer
vent but unanswered appeal for q
peace conference" which would
meet before war could break out ano
try to remove the causes of war. In
1888 when I saw him presiding al
the league assembly he already hao
made it clear that Ireland would
stay out of the approaching con-
flict.
The man across the desk from me
has changed little in the meantime
There is a little grey where his
silver trimmed spectacles slipped
over his ears but otherwise it Is
hard to realize that this vigorous
forceful man with a vibrant Irish
voice has been an international fig
ure Is years.
I asked him about the proposal
mads by the Canadian Parliament
that Ireland lease the ports and all
bases to Canada instead of Britain
Canada is a belligerent just as
England is" he replied. mo ar
rangement of that kind would make
our action other than an act of war
exposing us to immediate attack.
Can Defend Herself
I remarked that Britain recently
seemed anxious lest Germany invade
Ireland Could Ireland defend her
self if Germany attacked?
II don't think Britain need have
any anxiety on that score, replied
De Valera. 1--WE have pleased our
selves not to allow our territory to
be used as a base of attack.
I'VE have at present in men and
material a stronger defensive force
than ever existed ON the island be-
fore and we are constantly strength
enin9 it. With added equipment we
are Trying 10 get we could fnaAe
this island at least as difficult a
proposition to invade as Britain is
and it is not our fault if our equip
ment is not more complete.
I'VE were getting special equip
ment from Czeckoslovakia and Swe-
den before the war. We endeavored
also to secure arms from Britain
and the United States. Our purpose
is to buy arms and secure full equip
ment for a force of quarter-mil-
lion men. In any case, we could al
ways, if need be, look for aid"
Answers Neutrality Query
you said in your speech IN the