27 JANUARY 1933, Page 2

The Irish Elections Only a few of the earliest of

the Irish election results are available as we go to Press, and the considerable preliminary advantage they seem to give to Mr. de Valera may or may not be maintained by the later declarations. In those circumstances considered comment must obviously be deferred till the situation is clear. To say that this country must be prepared for a declar- ation of full independence or very little less by the Irish Free State is- to any no more than might have been said at any time in the past twelve months. If Ireland does take that stand it must go its way, but that way will be profoundly unwise and unfortunate for itself.