30 APRIL 1932, Page 2

The Irish Oath Debate The Second Reading debate on the

Oath Bill in the Irish Dail on Wednesday left the balance of argument heavily in Mr. Cosgrave's favour, though that, of course, affords very little indication of what the balance of voting will be. The essence of the Opposition leader's argument was that Ireland's repute in the world, and for that matter her material interests too, depended on her good faith, which for ten years had made the relations between Ireland and Great Britain increasingly cordial, to the common advantage of both countries. That is incontestable, and it goes to the root of the matter. The revision of the Oath, or even the possible abolition of the Oath, is an entirely fit subject for dis- cussion and negotiation between the two countries, but mere unilateral denunciation of certain clauses in the Irish Treaty makes international negotiations designed to end in international agreements futile. As for Mr. de Valera's doctrine that municipal law is always superior to treaties, if there were a shred of foundation for that astonishing claim, the habit of concluding treaties might as well be abandoned for ever. The issue of the debate depends on whether the Labour members, who voted against the Government a little surprisingly on a question of procedure on Wednesday, decide for or against honouring the Treaty. Its destiny is in their Lands.

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