The Dominion. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1918. IRELAND AND THE EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 240, 28 June 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1918. IRELAND AND THE EMPIRE

Thk suggestion that Hie Homo Rule question should bo considered by the Dominion Prune Ministers now in England is a good one. It is to bo hoped that the British Government will take this, course, and that the representatives' of the Dominions on the Imperial Conference will consent to make' an earnest attempt to find a satisfactory solution of a most difficult and vexatious problem. Me. AsQUITJI docs not exaggerate the urgency of effective action when ho expresses the belief that the Conference could not perform a task moro vital, to the interests of the Empire or more valuable, for the prosecution of the war than to pave theway'for a settlement in Ireland. It is true, as Mr. Bonar Law points out, that the Conference selects its own subjects for discussion; but Mk. Lloyd George should have no difficulty in placing the proposal before the members ol the Conference in order to ascertain whether they would be willing to give the Irish question a place on their programme and to state their views as to the best way of settling it in the intercsts,oi all concerned. The Conference may not be anxious to tackle this thorny problem. Soroo of its members may be disinclined to take any part in this long and bitter political battle, and such an attitude is quite understandable. But at such a time as. this personal- inclinations should be set aside, and the paramount claim of public duty should be recognised. It is absolutely essential to the well-being of 'the British Empire that Ireland should become it prosperous and contented member of the British family of nations. The present, position of affairs is intolerThe interminable strife of parties in Ireland is contrary to tho best interests of the whole' Empire. It is imperative that order. and good government should be restored as soon as possible. This is a matter that concerns the Overseas Dominions as well as the United Kingdom. The Empire is a unity. The good of each member is the good of all, and when one member suffers all suffer, Xbo Dominion Ministers now in Britain would fail in their duty if they rofuscd to do their utmost to free Ireland from the disorder and discontent which have so long prevailed in that distressful country. The problem is no doubt beset W i i cl jf lculfcies > hufc it is not insoluble The trouble has been intensified by traditional prejudices and racial and roligious differences.' The failure of recent efforts to rcconcilo the conflicting interests has tended to create an impression that reconciliation is impossible. The time is opportune for the introduction of fresh ideas and for approaching the question from a new point of view rlio Dominion Ministers have not been active participants in the struggle. They would bo able to consider the pojnts in dispute in a more detached and impartial way than is possible for British statesmen They cQuld fairly claim to act as the friends of both the contending parties and as responsible guardians of the welfare.of the whole Empire. They would form a tribunal which would command the respect and confidence of all loyal Britishers in all parts of the world. Iho only people who could reasonably resent their intervention are those who are striving, openly or secretly, to sever Ireland from the Empire. These disloyalists deserve no consideration whatever. They have been doing their utmost to foment trouble and to make a settlementimpossible. Their mischievous activities have created a situation verging very closely on civil war. No seif-reupccting Government can parley with men who would dismember the Empire if tlitey could. Any recommendation regarding the settlement of the Irish question which the Imperial Conference might make would undoubtedly carry great weight, and thoso who refused to listen to thto advice given would be expected to produce very strong reasons in justification of their attitude. If they could not do so they would run tho risk of alienating the sympathies of the overwhelming majority of British citizens the world over. They would also forfeit the moral support of the people of the United States. The psychological moment for making a new endeavour to give peace to Ireland seems to have arrived, and it would be deplorable if the opportunity were lost either through the unwillingness of the British : Government to ask for tho assistance

of the Imperial Conference or through the rcfust'l of the Conference to discuss this vitally important. Empire problem. The time is ripe for a new departure which will lift the discussion of the Homo Rule question on to a higher plane, above the- passion and prejudice which have for so many years frustrated all attempts to give Ireland a system of government acceptable to the peoplo as a whole. This vav has welded the. Empire together more firmly than ever before. Ireland alone has resisted this general tendency to unification. She still stands aloof—the weak spot in our Imperial unity. Is reconciliation impossible '2 Is it beyond the capacity of statesmanship to remove the causes of estrangement and to establish a form of self-government that will ensure justice for all sections of Ireland's population and enable them to live in unity and concord'! A permanent solution of this problem would open a new and brighter era in Irish history, and remove a sore that has for years irritated and weakened the Empire and has made a flaw in the bond of mutual respect, fellowship, and good will which unites its members.