War Chest

Without division the sober Senators of the Irish Free State passed a resolution last week asking thin-necked President Eamon de Valera. of whom they do not approve, to negotiate with Great Britain to settle Ireland's most urgent problem immediately: Whether the Free State is to cease remitting annuities to the British Government for estates of British and Irish landlords divided and sold on the installment plan to Irish tenants. The Senators might as well have saved their breath. President de Valera pushed a -L-2,000,000 emergency appropriation through the Dail for the establishment of new industries and opening of new markets, then refused to say how the money was to be spent. It was charged and not denied that the fund was a War Chest for Republican propaganda and to further the economic war with Britain.

In the Dail the opposition under ex-President Cosgrave was vociferous. For the first time the Irish Laborites, nominal allies of the de Valera Republicans, grew restless.

"The Labor Party," shouted Leader William Norton, "wants to know where the Government stands and whither it is going."

Added Patrick Hogan, former Minister of Agriculture in the Cosgrave Cabinet:

"An easy settlement with Great Britain could be attained if Mr. de Valera would realize his duty to the people and think less of his personal vanity. I challenge him to declare without equivocation whether he intends to set up an Irish republic!"

President de Valera woggled his large Adam's apple but did not reply.

Two days after this scene Premier Ramsay MacDonald boarded a seaplane at Lossiemouth and flew St. George's Channel to the Marquess of Londonderry's house at Mount Stewart. County Down, Northern Ireland. In Ireland observers leaped to the conclusion that he was there to hold a series of secret meetings with de Valera representatives on the annuities problem. Some added an additional detail: Scot MacDonald's trip to Ireland was at the request of delegates to the Ottawa conference (see p. 12) who are restless for an early solution. All these stories Scot MacDonald went to great lengths to deny:

"I have come here for three or four days for a complete rest away from every-thing--from telephones, inquiries, and work of every sort. ... I am not concerning myself with Irish affairs in the North or South."

A number of large-footed British detectives in mackintoshes surrounded Lord Londonderry's house, kept all reporters away, said nothing, looked important.

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