LIES CONCERNING IRISH BRIGADE IN SPAIN

General O'Duffy's Statement
A strong denial of reports concerning the behaviour in Spain of the Irish Brigade 'which returned to Dublin a few weeks ago was made by General O'Duffy in a statement issued from the Brigade's headquarters in Dublin.
There was no truth, said General O'Duffy in the allegation that his leadership had not been readily accepted by every member of the Brigade. Nor was there a word of fact in statements detrimental to the Brigade which were alleged to have been made by certain of its members.
" The interviews had been spread out on the front pages of the Communist Press from Madrid to Moscow." said General O'DulTy. "I appeal to the members of the Brigade to ignore all such articles. even though they may add to our difficulties in procuring employment and in raising funds to help the dependents of the dead, the maimed and the sick. . . ."
Grievances Only Petty Jealousies
There has been talk of grievances in the Brigade. If there were grievances I did not hear of them and I was in very close touch all the time. Possibly there were petty jealousies in regard to appointments and promotions such as naturally might be expected. I made frequent rounds of the trenches and gave all ranks ample opportunities of drawing my attention to grievances, if any, and not once did I receive
a complaint. Undoubtedly the ,uniforms became threadbare and shabby as could be expected, when they were not taken off day or night for a period of ten weeks.
" The food generally was good and wholesome. Notwithstanding the hardships of a winter campaign in a foreign country the men put on weight, and generally im proved in appearance and fitness. The greeting I invariably received on my rounds was " we never were in better form, sir," and every man looked it.
" Of course on one or two occasions enemy activity upset transport arrangements and meals were delayed. but soldiers expect such to happen in war times.
Discipline was Good "Throughout, the discipline and morale of the Irish Brigade was of a high order reflecting the highest credit not only on themselves but on their country. I do not think there was a single case of disobedience: certainly not of cowardice or shirking of' duty.
"So far as I am personally concerned I challenge any man to say that I did not keep my word, given to the men before they left Ireland, or that I did not fulfil my obligations to the Brigade se/rile in Spain, individually and collectively."
General O'Duffy concluded by appealing to the public for subscriptions to a fund to assist both those who had been seriously wounded and those who had been dependent on them and their dead comrades.
In regard to the present international deadlock over Spain General O'Duffy said he was sure that Britain would grant belligerent rights to Franco, who still held the Brigade's highest respect as " the greatest soldier-patriot of our time."