Mr. de Valera and the Commonwealth Discussion of the new
Constitution of the Irish Free State can be only speculative until Mr. de Valera has formally introduced his proposals into the Dail, as he is expected to do within the next few days. But some indication of the form it is likely to take were given in the speech which he delivered last Tuesday before the General Congress of Fianna Fail. It seems clear that Mr. de Valera does not for the moment intend to make any dramatic gesture of breach with the British Common- wealth ; indeed his references to the " mutual interests " of the Irish and British peoples were more conciliatory than many people had expected. At the same time it is obvious that there will be serious difficulties to be faced in the proposed creation of a new " ceremonial head of the State." It seems clear that whoever is appointed to this office—and in point of fact it is unlikely that it is intended for anyone but Mr. de Valera himself—will be regarded in Ireland as deriving his powers directly from the Irish people, and not in any -sense as the repre- sentative of .the King. It is difficult to see how the constitutional point thus involved can be regularised without reference to the whole question of Ireland's membership of the Commonwealth. On purely internal matters, the most welcome announcement is that Mr. de Valera intends after all to adhere to the principle of a second chamber, though it remains to be seen whether he intends it to be genuinely representative or merely an asylum for party members who have lost their popularity with the electorate. • • - -
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