August 26 1924
After several months’ absence from Dublin, Mr James Larkin addressed a meeting of the Workers’ Union of Ireland in the Mansion House last night, where he unfurled a red flag presented to him by “the Soviet of the Federated Socialistic Republic of Russia” during his sojourn in Moscow.
He said when he left Ireland he did so without the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs or President [WT] Cosgrave, who refused him a passport. He would do so again, and go to the country where he thought fit without asking their leave.
Before very long, he went on to say, Russian ships would be sailing into the port of Dublin, for he had brought back with him an agreement and pledge for the establishment of direct commercial relations with Russia. He had been elected by the working classes of 32 countries of the world as one of the 25 commissioners to rule and govern the earth.
He extended to the people of Ireland greetings from 161,000,000 Russians and 1,400,000 transport workers, who had pledged themselves to sustain the citizens of Ireland. He went on to say that, so far as he was concerned, there would be no boundary government in Ireland nor partition in any shape or form. He was out for peace and unity. This would be brought about under a Soviet government when the period arrived.
A particularly erratic speech from Jim Larkin proclaiming his new sweeping powers after a visit to Moscow.
Belleek Fort Handed Back
Belleek Fort, which has been occupied by British troops since the 8th of June 1922, was handed over to Free State troops at 11.30am yesterday morning. It will be remembered that on the date in question the fort was shelled by British artillery, which had marched from Enniskillen on the previous evening, and co-operated with detachments of the Lincoln and Manchester regiments.
The evacuation has been in progress for some days, and only small details of the Sussex Regiment and the Royal Corps of Signallers had to leave yesterday.
