Republic or Commonwealth ?
Mr. de Valera's obvious aim was to get an election in before the opposition forces could reorganize on a joint basis. At the same time, it is clearly all to his interest to dissolve before the impending budget, which will advertise, as nothing else could, the financial consequences of eleven months of Fianna Fail administration. As for party progranunes, Mr. Cosgrove has already defined his platform : the development of trade on sound and normal lines on the basis of an understanding with the British Government. But, in fact, detailed programmes matter little. It is certain that the election will, in fact, be fought on the question of Republicanism, though whether Mr. de Valera will go so far as to demand a mandate for secession is more doubtful. At any rate, he will ask for a free hand and the anti-British appeal will, no doubt, be his strongest asset. Prediction about results is idle. The election is likely to be fierce and bitter, and there is already talk of intimidation by the Irish Repub- lican army and possible clashes between that body and the Army Comrades' Association. Whatever the issue, unless it be so close as to paralyse whichever party just wins, it will be fraught with momentous consequences for Ireland. * « * *
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