The Irish Independent article from March 1932 discusses the Irish Free State’s Executive Council’s deliberations on two key issues: the Oath of Allegiance and the Land Annuities, with a focus on Michael Comyn K.C.’s involvement. Below is a summary and analysis based on the provided text:Summary:

1. Oath of Allegiance:
   • The Executive Council, after a two-and-a-half-hour discussion, firmly insisted on abolishing the Oath of Allegiance, a requirement under the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty for members of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament).
   • The Council argued that the Oath is not mandatory under the Treaty and its removal is a domestic matter, as the Irish Constitution, which includes the Oath, is an internal framework subject to amendment.
   • The need to reconcile different political factions and ensure their representation in the Oireachtas was highlighted as a key justification for removing the Oath.
2. Land Annuities:
   • The article addresses a dispute over the payment of Land Annuities—funds owed to Britain under agreements related to land purchases in Ireland.
   • The Council rejected the British claim (represented by Mr. Thomas) that these payments were part of an international agreement, arguing that the arrangement was merely between two ministers (one from the Free State and one from Britain) and lacked formal ratification by either parliament.
   • The opinion of Mr. Costello, the former Attorney General under the previous government, was cited to argue that the 1926 financial settlement was unrelated to the Annuities.
3. Political Context:
   • The response to Britain was being finalized and was expected to be sent to London soon after the article’s publication.
   • William Cosgrave, leader of the opposition, remained silent on the issues but was expected to clarify his and his party’s stance when the Dáil (Irish lower house) convened.

Analysis:

• Oath of Allegiance: The insistence on removing the Oath reflects the anti-Treaty sentiment of the newly elected Fianna Fáil government under Éamon de Valera, which took office in 1932. The Oath was a contentious symbol of British influence, and its removal was seen as a step toward greater Irish sovereignty. The argument that it was not mandatory under the Treaty and was a domestic issue underscores the government’s strategy to frame constitutional changes as within Ireland’s sovereign rights.
• Land Annuities: The dispute over the Annuities was part of a broader economic and political conflict with Britain, which escalated into the Anglo-Irish Trade War (1932–1938). The Free State’s position—that the agreement lacked parliamentary ratification—challenged the legal basis of Britain’s claims, reflecting a push to renegotiate or reject financial obligations tied to the Treaty.
• Michael Comyn K.C.’s Role: As a prominent legal figure, Comyn likely provided counsel to the Executive Council, shaping the legal arguments against the Oath and Annuities. His involvement highlights the government’s reliance on legal expertise to justify its positions.
• Cosgrave’s Silence: Cosgrave’s reserved stance suggests political caution, as his Cumann na nGaedheal party had previously supported the Treaty and its obligations. His eventual statement in the Dáil would likely clarify whether he would oppose or align with de Valera’s policies.

Historical Context:This article captures a pivotal moment in Irish history, as the Fianna Fáil government sought to dismantle aspects of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty. The removal of the Oath and the withholding of Land Annuities were central to de Valera’s agenda of asserting Irish independence, leading to tensions with Britain that culminated in economic and diplomatic conflicts.If you need further details, such as specific outcomes of these deliberations or additional historical context, let me know! I can also search for related posts or articles on X or the web for more contemporary perspectives, if desired.

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Exploring historical context

Analyzing outcomes

Evaluating legal arguments

Assessing political impact

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Exploring historical context

• The request is about a 1932 Irish Independent article on the Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities. It seems you’re looking for info or analysis on this historical event.

Searching for “Irish Independent article March 1932 Oath of Allegiance and the Annuities Michael Comyn K.C.”

Papers concerning Irish Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities 1932 – Wikisource, the free online library

en.wikisource.org

Full article: The Commonwealth and the Oath of Allegiance Crisis: A Study in Inter-War Commonwealth Relations

http://www.tandfonline.com

Oath of Allegiance – Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 4 – 05/04/1932

http://www.difp.ie

Oath of Allegiance – Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 4 – 05/04/1932

http://www.difp.ie

Anglo-Irish Treaty – Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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• Web search found several relevant sources, like Wikisource’s full text of 1932 papers. This could be what the article references, presented to the British Parliament in April.
• There’s also an academic piece from Taylor & Francis on the 1932 Oath crisis. It offers context on Anglo-Irish legal disagreements, which might help.
• I’m considering how these sources can verify the user’s question. Let’s check the Wikisource document for details on March 1932.

Browsing en.wikisource.org for “Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities in March 1932”

• The browse result matches the time period, summarizing correspondence from March and April 1932. It covers the Oath and Land Annuities debate between Ireland and the UK.
• On March 22, Ireland said the Oath isn’t mandatory in the Treaty and modifying the Constitution is domestic. The UK countered on March 23, calling the Oath integral to 1921 and demanding land annuity payments.
• This correspondence aligns with the article’s mention of Ireland’s unyielding stance on removing the Oath. It also notes the Land Annuities weren’t part of an international agreement ratified by parliaments.

Searching for “Irish Independent article March 1932 Oath of Allegiance and the Annuities Michael Comyn K.C.”

Papers concerning Irish Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities 1932 – Wikisource, the free online library

en.wikisource.org

Full article: The Commonwealth and the Oath of Allegiance Crisis: A Study in Inter-War Commonwealth Relations

http://www.tandfonline.com

Oath of Allegiance – Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 4 – 05/04/1932

http://www.difp.ie

Oath of Allegiance – Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 4 – 05/04/1932

http://www.difp.ie

Anglo-Irish Treaty – Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

See 5 more

• I’m thinking the Irish Independent article likely reported on these events. The official documents confirm Ireland’s determination to abolish the Oath, seeing it as a domestic issue.
• Michael Comyn K.C. was involved, probably offering legal advice. William Cosgrave’s role suggests leadership in finalizing responses to Britain.

Searching for “outcome of Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities disputes in 1932 Ireland”

Papers concerning Irish Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities 1932 – Wikisource, the free online library

en.wikisource.org

Oath of Allegiance – Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 4 – 05/04/1932

http://www.difp.ie

OATH AND LAND PURCHASE ANNUITIES. (Hansard, 23 March 1932)

api.parliament.uk

Oath of Allegiance (Ireland) – Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Oath of Allegiance – Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 4 – 05/04/1932

http://www.difp.ie

See 5 more

• In 1932, the UK insisted the Oath was integral to the Treaty and demanded Land Annuity payments. Ireland, led by de Valera, argued it wasn’t mandatory and questioned formal undertakings Wikisource.
• The disputes caused tensions, with the UK viewing the Oath as essential to 1921 agreements. Ireland saw it as a domestic issue, leading to the 1933 Oath removal.
• De Valera removed the Oath in 1933, sparking an economic war over Land Annuities. This conflict lasted until 1938, resolved by an agreement easing tariffs.
• The withholding of Land Annuities led to economic hardship for Ireland. Britain imposed a 20% tariff, and Ireland retaliated, but Britain was less affected.

Analyzing outcomes

• Fianna Fáil’s 1933 Oath abolition marked a shift in Irish sovereignty. It highlighted tensions with Britain, setting the stage for economic conflicts.
• The Land Annuities dispute led to the Anglo-Irish Trade War, lasting from 1932 to 1938. This economic conflict strained Ireland’s economy more than Britain’s.

Evaluating legal arguments

• Ireland argued the Oath was a domestic issue, not mandatory under the Treaty. They also claimed Land Annuities lacked formal parliamentary ratification.
• Mr. Costello, the former Attorney General, said the 1926 financial settlement was unrelated to Annuities. This legal stance supported Ireland’s position.

Assessing political impact

• William Cosgrave’s silence was notable, given his party’s Treaty support. His stance could influence opposition to de Valera’s policies when the Dáil convened.
• The article suggests the Executive Council’s response was nearly ready, indicating imminent action on both issues with Britain.

Completed

Key Points

• Research suggests the Irish Free State aimed to abolish the Oath of Allegiance, viewing it as non-mandatory and a domestic issue, leading to its removal in 1933.
• It seems likely the Land Annuities dispute with Britain escalated into an economic war, resolved in 1938 with a settlement.
• The evidence leans toward Michael Comyn K.C. providing legal counsel, though his specific role is less documented.
• Controversy existed, with Britain insisting the Oath and Annuities were Treaty obligations, while Ireland sought greater sovereignty.

BackgroundThe Irish Independent article from March 1932 reflects the Irish Free State’s efforts to assert independence from Britain, focusing on the Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities. These issues were central to tensions following the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty.Oath of AllegianceThe Executive Council, led by Éamon de Valera, was firm in abolishing the Oath, arguing it wasn’t mandatory and was a domestic matter. This led to its removal in 1933, a significant step toward sovereignty.Land AnnuitiesThe dispute over Land Annuities, payments owed to Britain, saw Ireland contesting their binding nature, leading to the Anglo-Irish Economic War (1932–1938). This was resolved in 1938 with a lump-sum payment agreement.Michael Comyn K.C.’s RoleMichael Comyn K.C. likely provided legal advice, helping frame the Oath’s removal and Annuities dispute as domestic issues, though specific details are less clear.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the Irish Independent Article (March 1932)The provided excerpt from the Irish Independent, dated March 1932, offers a snapshot of the Irish Free State’s political landscape during a pivotal moment in its history, focusing on the Oath of Allegiance and the Land Annuities. This analysis delves into the historical context, key actors, and outcomes, drawing on verified sources to provide a comprehensive understanding.Historical Context and BackgroundThe article is set against the backdrop of the newly elected Fianna Fáil government under Éamon de Valera, which came to power in February 1932. This government, rooted in anti-Treaty sentiment, sought to dismantle aspects of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty that it viewed as infringing on Irish sovereignty. The Treaty, signed on 6 December 1921, established the Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Commonwealth, requiring members of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) to take an Oath of Allegiance to the Irish Free State and fidelity to the British Crown. Additionally, it obligated the Free State to collect and remit Land Annuities—payments from Irish farmers for land purchases facilitated by the British government before independence.The article’s mention of a two-and-a-half-hour discussion by the Executive Council indicates the gravity of these issues, with a response being finalized for Britain, expected to be sent by late March 1932. This aligns with historical records, such as the correspondence documented in Papers concerning Irish Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities 1932

, which shows communications between the Irish Free State and the UK in March and April 1932.The Oath of Allegiance: A Symbol of ContentionThe article highlights the Executive Council’s “unyielding” stance on abolishing the Oath of Allegiance, arguing it was not mandatory under the Treaty and its removal was a “purely domestic matter.” This position is supported by the Irish Free State’s communication on 22 March 1932, as noted in the Documents on Irish Foreign Policy

, where they stated the Constitution was the “people’s Constitution,” and modifications were within their internal sovereignty.The need for “reconciliation of sections and their representations in the Oireachtas” was a key argument, reflecting the political divisions from the Irish Civil War (1922–1923), where the Oath was a flashpoint between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty factions. Historical sources, such as Oath of Allegiance (Ireland)

, confirm that the Oath, included in Article 17 of the 1922 Constitution, required members to swear allegiance to the Constitution and fidelity to King George V, a provision that de Valera and Fianna Fáil found intolerable.The outcome, as seen in Anglo-Irish trade war

, was the passage of the Constitution (Removal of Oath) Act in 1933, effectively abolishing the Oath. This move was a significant assertion of Irish sovereignty, though it drew strong objections from Britain, as evidenced by J.H. Thomas’s statements in Hansard on 23 March 1932 , where he insisted the Oath was “an integral part of the Treaty.”The Land Annuities: Economic and Legal DisputesThe article also addresses the Land Annuities, with the Executive Council rejecting Britain’s claim (represented by Mr. Thomas) that these payments were part of an international agreement. They argued that the arrangement, made between two ministers, lacked parliamentary ratification and was thus not binding. This is echoed in de Valera’s response on 5 April 1932, as seen in Documents on Irish Foreign Policy

, where he questioned the “formal and explicit undertaking” regarding the Annuities.The article mentions citing Mr. Costello, the former Attorney General, to argue that the 1926 financial settlement was unrelated to the Annuities. This legal strategy aimed to undermine Britain’s position, which, as per the UK’s response on 9 April 1932 in Papers concerning Irish Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities 1932

, referenced agreements from 1923 and 1926 as binding.The dispute over Land Annuities led to the Anglo-Irish Economic War, detailed in History of Ireland 1932 – 1945: The Economic War and the Second World War and Land annuities, economic war and the Anglo Irish Trade Agreement 26 July 2023 Free

. Ireland withheld payments, prompting Britain to impose a 20% tariff on Irish goods in 1932, while Ireland retaliated with tariffs on British coal. This economic conflict, lasting until 1938, severely impacted Ireland’s economy, given its dependence on British markets. The war ended with the 1938 Anglo-Irish Agreement, where Ireland made a lump-sum payment to settle the Annuities dispute, and Britain relinquished control of the Treaty Ports.Michael Comyn K.C.: Legal Counsel and InfluenceThe article’s mention of Michael Comyn K.C. suggests his involvement in providing legal counsel to the Executive Council. While specific details are less documented, his role as a prominent Irish lawyer likely involved shaping the legal arguments against the Oath and Annuities. Historical sources, such as Michael Collins (Irish leader) – Wikipedia

, provide context on the legal and political landscape, but direct references to Comyn’s specific contributions in 1932 are sparse. His expertise would have been crucial in framing the Oath’s removal as a domestic matter and challenging the binding nature of the Annuities agreement, aligning with the article’s content.Political Dynamics and William Cosgrave’s SilenceThe article notes William Cosgrave, leader of the opposition (Cumann na nGaedheal), expressing no opinion on the matters but likely to declare his stance when the Dáil met. Cosgrave’s party had supported the Treaty, making his position significant. Historical accounts, such as Irish Civil War – Wikipedia

, indicate that Fianna Fáil’s entry into the Dáil in 1927, taking the Oath, marked a shift, but by 1932, de Valera’s government was pushing for its abolition. Cosgrave’s eventual stance would have been crucial in gauging opposition, though the article suggests he remained cautious, possibly reflecting the political sensitivity of the issues.Table: Key Events and Outcomes (1932–1938)

Broader Implications and LegacyThe events of 1932 were transformative for Irish-British relations. The abolition of the Oath of Allegiance in 1933 and the resolution of the Land Annuities dispute in 1938 were steps toward greater Irish independence, culminating in the 1937 Constitution, which replaced the 1922 Constitution and removed all references to the British Crown. The Economic War, while economically challenging, underscored Ireland’s determination to assert economic sovereignty, as detailed in The Commonwealth and the Oath of Allegiance Crisis: A Study in Inter-War Commonwealth Relations

.This analysis confirms the article’s content aligns with historical records, providing a detailed picture of Ireland’s push for sovereignty in 1932, with lasting impacts on its constitutional and economic landscape.

Key Citations

• Papers concerning Irish Oath of Allegiance and Land Annuities 1932
• Oath of Allegiance – Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 4 – 05/04/1932
• Oath of Allegiance (Ireland) – Wikipedia
• Anglo-Irish trade war – Wikipedia
• History of Ireland 1932 – 1945: The Economic War and the Second World War
• Land annuities, economic war and the Anglo Irish Trade Agreement 26 July 2023 Free
• Michael Collins (Irish leader) – Wikipedia
• Irish Civil War – Wikipedia
• Full article: The Commonwealth and the Oath of Allegiance Crisis: A Study in Inter-War Commonwealth Relations
• OATH AND LAND PURCHASE ANNUITIES. (Hansard, 23 March 1932)

15 web pages

DeeperSearch

OATH AND LAND PURCHASE ANNUITIES.

HC Deb 23 March 1932 vol 263 cc1044-7

1044

§Captain PETER MACDONALD

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he has had a communication from the Irish Free State Government regarding that Government’s attitude towards Land Purchase Annuities due to this country and other Treaty obligations, and, if so, what was the nature of his reply?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

I was officially informed yesterday by the High Commissioner for the Irish Free State that, in the opinion of his Government, the Oath of Allegiance is not mandatory in the Treaty, and that the Irish Free State have an absolute right to modify their Constitution as tile people desire. It is manifest that the Oath is an integral part of the Treaty made 10 years ago between the two countries and hitherto honourably observed on both sides. We are addressing to His Majesty’s Government in the Irish Free State a communication which will snake our standpoint clear beyond a possibility of doubt.

With regard to the Land Annuities, we have received no official communication from the Irish Free State Government, but from a, statement reported to have been made yesterday by Mr. de Valera in the Free State Senate we understand that the Free State Government propose to retain the Irish Land Annuities. These Annuities are payments which the tenants of purchased estates make in order to repay the sums lent to them to buy their land. The Irish Free State Government are bound by the most formal and explicit undertaking to continue to pay the Land Annuities to the National Debt Commissioners, and the failure to do so would be a manifest violation of an engagement which is binding in law and in honour on the Irish Free State, whatever Administration may be in power, in exactly the same way as the Treaty itself is binding on both countries.