ULSTER INEXORABLE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 40, 10 November 1921, Page 5

ULSTER INEXORABLE

CABINET WILL NOT RECEDE FROM POSITION REJECTION OF MR. LLOYD GEORGE’S APPEAL INDICATED IN STATEMENT BY SIR JAMES CRAIG Sir James Craig has issued a statement which indicates’ that Ulster has rejected Mr. Lloyd George’s appeal to make concessions to facilitate a permanent peace. As a result of this attitude it is expected that a majority of Unionist members of the House of Commons will rally round the Prime Minister, but the political situation is much disturbed. -s Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. November 9, 5.5 p.m.) ■ London, November 8. Sir James Craig has issued the following statement: ’’The Ulster Prime Minister spent another strenuous day in consultation with Unionist leaders, preparing for a meeting of the Ulster Cabinet. Although he IcnoArs that the lines ■which he has (adopted will meet with the unanimous approval of the Ulster loyalists, the situation is so grave that he felt that the responsibility should bo shared by the whole Cabinet.” Four members of the Ulster Cabinet will arrive in London to-morrow to confer with Mr. Lloyd George and Sir James Craig. The opinion prevails in Belfast that the Ulster Cabinet is unlikely to agree to any settlement proposals without first consulting the people of Ulster.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , '(Rec. November 9, 7.30 p.m.) London, November 9. Sir James Craig’s statement is regarded ns the gravest indication yet forthcoming that (lister has inexorably rejected Mr. Lloyd; George’s appeal to make concessions to facilitate a permanent Irish peace. The Australian Press Association learns that all politicians ■ have abandoned the hope that the Ulster Cabinet intends to recede one iota from the frequently expressed hostility to any proposal amending Ulster’s position under the Home Rule Act. It is difficult to forecast the ultimate outcome of this attitude, but it is not likely to win a big following in this country, while: It is certain that the original group of "Diehards” will be augmented when it comes to the final fight in the House of Commons. It is probable that Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Birkenhead, hitherto Ulster’s champions, will not accept responsibility for supporting Ulster’s “die hard” attitude, but. will rally round >Mr. Lloyd George with a majority of 'Unionist members of the House of Commons. —Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.

SCHEME FOR UNITING COUNTRY

"DAILY MAIL’S" APPEAL TO ULSTER CABINET. London, November 8. The "Daily Mail,” in a leader, appeals for the co-operation of Sir James Craig’s Cabinet in the adoption of a scheme of Parliaments for the North and South, with a. Senate over them, for uniting the country. Such a settlement, with the allegiance of tho South, would not be questioned. On the other hand, . the hearty co-operation of the Southern people as citizens of the Empire could be expected. There is excellent reason for hope that such an agreement can he reached. It is a great opportunity for Ulster. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. BONAR LAW’S ATTITUDE A DISTURBING POLITICAL FACTOR. (Rec. November 9, 7:30 p.m.) London, November 9. A disturbing political factor at tho moment is Mr. Bonar Law’s attitude since his return to politics. There has been no public indication whether he will retain his old thick-and-thin adherence to Ulster or support Mr. Lloyd George. It is pointed out in certain circles that if he adopts the former attitude ho will be practically the only .■statesman who could attempt to form a Government, if Mr. Lloyd George resigns, the olily alternative being Mr. Asquith or Mn Clynes. Meanwhile the conference is suspended, awaiting Sir James Craig’s declaration. Messrs. Collins and Duffy have returned, it is believed, with a mandate to abandon the claim for separation under certain conditions. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DISINTEGRATION OF COALITION MR. ASQUITH ON THE LIBERAL ATTITUDE. (Rec. Novemlwr 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 8. In the course of a speech at Glasgow Mr. Asquith said: “At home there are unmistakable signs of disintegration of the Coalition. Its perpetual oscillations end recantations are leading a large section of its supporters to outbreaks of temper. Tho most glaring illustration is the government of Ireland, in connection with which tho Liberal attitude has been completely vindicated. The gates of civil war must 'not lie reopened in Ireland. Wo have often declared we will not he parties to the coercion of Ulster. Neither will we be parties at the instance of the Ulster minority to the coercion of three-fourths of Ire-land."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. negotiationTdisapproved offer beyond unionise opinion (Rec. November 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 8. Tho agenda of tho National-Unionist Conference includes motions declaring that the. continuance of ■ the two great parties in the Coalition is unprincipled, and reduces statesmanship to impotence, also disapproving of the negotiations with the Sinn Fein junta. The offer is regarded as going beyond the Unionist opinion of the country, especially regarding the Irish territorial force—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EX-SOLDIER ATTACKED FORCED TO SWALLOW WAR RIBBONS. (Rec. November 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 8. Sinn Feiners attacked an ex-soldier at Belfast, knocked him down, kicked him, and forced him to swallow his war ribbons. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable -Assn.