THE OFFER TO SINN FEIN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 280, 20 August 1921, Page 7

THE OFFER TO SINN FEIN

NOT YET CONSIDERED BY DAIL EIREANN POSSIBILITY OF A PLEBISCITE SUGGESTED REFERENCE TO SPECIAL COMMISSION By Telegraph—Preee Association— Copyright (Rec. August 19, 8.30 p.m.) London, August 18. There is no prospect of the Dail Eireanu considering the British offer - this week. To-day was spent in secret session, listening to departmental reports, which were debated at considerable length. The Dail Eireann declines to consider the British offer out of its proper order, and when it is reached a long discussion is expected.

A special correspondent of the "Daily News" at Dublin says: —"The irreconcilable members of the Dail Eireann may win, but there is sure to be a struggle; probably not for acceptance of the present terms, but over suggestions for alternatives which might lead to a plebiscite. The most important point in connection with the latter would be whether the Irish Republican Army would permit u free expression of opinion, or would repeat the methods employed at the recent elections. Ireland is living unde’ a military dictatorship. Unless the plebiscite can be really free in its expression it will be worse than useless. A. suggestion now widely discussed here is for a reference of the whole problem to a special commission appointed by the I/eague of Nations, with a chairman nominated by the United States Government."

In view of the position of the Irish question, the Government Jias decided to defer the prorogation of Parliament until October 18, but will adjourn to-mor-row, the Speaker having power to summon Parliament at short notice. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. DISSENT FROMTHE OFFER "COMPLETE REVERSAL OF PARLIAMENT’S DECISIONS.” (Rec. August 19, 9.5 p.m.) London, August 19 A meeting of a number of Conservative members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, including lord Ampthill, the Earl of Selborne, Ix>rd Sydenham, the Duke of Northumberland, the Marquess of Salisbury, Briga dier-General Page-Croft, and Sir Frederick Banbury, adopted a resolution profoundly dissenting from the far-reaching offer which the Government made to Mr. de Valera, including the maintenance of the Sinn Fein army. Tho offer was described as a complete reversal of the decisions of Parliament as embodied in the Act which was only passed in December last. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. COMMENT ON DE VALERA’S SPEECH DUBLIN NEWSPAPER OPINION. London, August 18. Commenting on Mr. de Valera’s speech on Wednesday, the “Irish Times" (Dublin) says "We take account of human nature in the • Sinn Feiners as well as in the IrishUnionists. We do not question . Hie strength of the Dail Eireann’s patriotism, or its readiness to make sacrifices; but we hope its patriotism may be informed with wisdom and will not require the Irish people to make immense sacrifices for no useful end. Mr. de Valera’s speech suggests that a deadlock lias been racked. If so, the time has arrived to refer the Government’s offer to the Irish people, who are entitled to be consulted th an extremity concerning the life and peaoe of every man, woman, and. child."

The "Irish Independent” (Dublin) rejoices at Mr. de Valera’s statement, which, it says, reveals no suggestion that the negotiations aro likely to be terminated. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN OPINION AS VOICED IN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES PRESS. (Rec. August 20, 0.5 a.tn.) Ottawa, August 18. The Montreal "Gazette," commenting on the Irish situation, says: "If (Sinn Fein insists upon a separation front the Crown and the establishment of a republic, there is grave danger of the revival of civil war on an extended scale. Why should, not the status of Canada, Australia, and South Africa content Irishmen ?” New York, August 18. The Boston "Herald" says:—"lt is the prayer of all to the powers of good will in the world, that out of the troubled valley of decision there shall como a popular verdict for the establishment of Anglo-Irish fraternity from generation to generation/* The "Atlanta Constitution" says:— "Britain has gone far more than halfway towards the common objective which is the basis of conciliation between the Irish and the Crown. It has gone much further than the world expected. It is inconceivable that, with such a proposal Ireland will shut the door and hazard the certain disastrous consequences of rejection.' Th? St. Louis "Globe-Democrat” says: —“The task of de Valera and his associates is now to obtain the utmost liberty of action possible for Ireland under the Dominion plan, and then refer it-" to the whole body of citizenship, with whom alone the final decision must rest.’’— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.