Ireland
Events in the Free State during the last fortnight have moved very much as had been predicted. Mr. de Valera is now President of the Executive . Council, elected by a vote of 81 against 68, and a Fianna Fail Speaker has been chosen by the much narrower margin of 79 to 77. Labour, with the new Government's fate in its hands, has already unfolded its policy, which deals mainly with unemployment and housing. The Labour seven could just turn the scale, but whether either party will actually be prepared to call the other's bluff remains to be seen. As matters stand at present, it seems probable that the Free State will be represented at the Ottawa Con- ference. If so, Mr. de Valera may find himself in a curiously inconsistent position. While his emissaries there are attempting to secure Dominion preferences for their exports, Mr. de Valera himself may be actively engaged at home iu removing the basis for their claim, by agitating for the removal of the Oath of Allegiance. It is doubtful whether the other members of the Ottawa Conference would be prepared to assist him to establish such a one-
sided bargain. * a a a
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