ANGLO-IRISH PACT

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 66, 10 December 1921, Page 7

ANGLO-IRISH PACT

DE VALERA REJECTS TERMS DIVISION IN DAIL EIREANN EXECUTIVE LEADER & TWO MINISTERS MAY RESIGN The announcement that Mr. de Valera had rejected the Irish peace terms was conveyed in a Press Association extraordinary message from London yesterday. He holds that the terms of the agreement are in conflict with the wishes of the majority of the Irish people. A public session of the Dail Eireann will be held on Wednesday to consider the situation. It is suggested that Mr. de Valera and the two Ministers who support him in his present attitude may resign.

By Telerr&ph—Preae Awoototlon—ConrrlgM (Rec, December 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 9. Mr. de Valera has issued the following statement to the Irish people;— The terms of the agreement are in violent conflict with the wishes of the majority ofthe Irish people . as expressed freely at' successive elections during the past three years. I feel it my duty to inform you • immediately that I cannot recommend acceptance of this treaty either to the Dail Eireann or to the country. In this attitude I am supported by the Ministers of Home Affairs and Defence. A public session of the Dail Eireann has been summoned for Wednesday. 1 qsk the'people lo maintain during the interval the same discinline as hiilierto. The Cabinet-, though divided, is prepared to carry on the public services. The army is not affected by the political situation. The great test of our pebple has come. T.e.t ns face it worthily without recrimination. The manifesto is the sequel (o a Cabinet meeting which lasted slrve.n hours; The Minister of Defence in the Dail Eireann Executive is Mr. Cathal Burcha and the Home Minister is Mr. Austin Stack. It is reported that-al a Cabinet meeting Messrs. Griffith. Barton. Cosgrave. and Collins voted for acceptance of the terms. The ncfual petition 's uncertain. It ■is possible Hmt Air. de Valera and the other two Ministers- will resign, leaving ibo remainder of the Cabinet to carry cut the. treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MR. GRIFFITH STANDS BY TREATY (Roc. December 9. 7.30 p.m.) . j Lond°n, December 9. Mr.. A.. Griffith, in a manifesto, says: I signed the treaty between Ireland and Great Britain in the belief that the treaty’woiild lay the • foundation' of peace and friendship between the two nations. What I signed I shall stand by. T believe that fhe end of the conflict' of centuries is at hand; —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

A BOMBSHELL DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENT NOT EXPECTED. (Rec.-December 9. 11.20 p.m.) London, December 8. .'Mr. de Valera’s bombshell burst in London during the early hours of the morning.. Such a dramatic development was not expected. Ireland and Irish affairs had faded temporarily from the official picture, Anglo-French relations and the question of reparations taking their place. Nobody was present in official quarters to deal with the new crisis, the announcement of which reached fhe newspapers direct' from Dublin. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. “NO CAUSE FOR REJOICING” ANOTHER, MILESTONE, BUT NOT THE GOAL. London, December 8. Air. Art O’Brien, the representative of the Dail Eireann in Great Britain, in a letter to the Irish Self-Determination League, says that the claim of the Irish people has always been for recognition of complete independence. He warns the Irish people against premature rejoicing. Under a threat of renewed and intensified warfare five Irishmen have been compelled to sign their names to a document that is not a cause for rejoicing. The people in Troland should receive the news in dignified silence. The document is but another milestone on ,i;he. long road to Irish freedom, but it is not the goal. The English people have cause to rejoice; they have won another round..—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MOTIVES SUSPECTED. (Rec. December 9, 11.30 p.m.) London, December 8. The Australian Press Association understands that there is the gravest reason to suspect that Mr. Art O’Brien is pulling tho strings against any settlement which does not mean separation. It is well known that he has strong supporters, including many of the younger Irish Catholic priests, who are directing propaganda among.young me)’., including English Catholics, in their parishes. . At the same time, there is no doubt that the great bulk of the Irish in this country desire pc tee, and welcomed the terms. Advices from Ireland indicate that there is a similar attitude amongst the rank and file of the people there. The prompt release of- 5006 prisoners is regarded everywhere as overwhelming evidence of British good faith. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ADJUSTMENT OF MANY TROUBLES EXPECTED TO FOLLOW CLOSE OF OLD FEUD. (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, Decen\ber 9. Sir Griffith Boscawen, president of the Board of Agriculture, speaking at Nottingham, urged the necessity of a continuance of the Coalition. lie thought that a general election could not be long delayed. The Irish settlement would be n prelude to the adjustment of .piany troubles, and would bring back to England her old-time prosperity. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, speaking at a ■ Unionist Party meeting in London, defended the stern that Unionist members of the Cabinet had taken in connection with the Irish negotiations. He pointed out: that Unionists ran a considerable risk of being misunderstood owing to the secret: negotiations, and added: “But history will not judge them fl r the Coalition too harshly, as they ceded th 1 ® o’d feud and brought Ireiand nlmlel.narledlv w'thin H.e Empire.’’ Mr. Sr’.nlev Baldwin. President of th" Board of Trade, sneaking at: Kentish Town said that the extreme I’orv ..pinion, that the Government would not have surrendered but for lawlessness and murder was unite erroneous. The rebellion 'could have been suppressed more easily than was commonly supposed, but it would have entailed war and blood-1

shed. The effect on thb world and on the Washington Conference would have been disastrous if a final attempt had not been, made to find a peaceful solution. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MR. LLOYD GEORGE’S AIESSAGE TO LIBERALS. (Rec. December 9, 7.30 p.m.) London, December 9. Mr. Lloyd George sent a message to a Coalition Liberal dinner at the Afanchestor.Reform Club saying: “Tell my Liberal friends that despite discouragements and criticisms I am still doing my best in the way which appears to me ito bo the to securo for our beloved country the blessings of a real peace. I am sure that Alanchester Liberals will not grudge expressing appreciation and gratitude to our Conservative colleagues, whose conspicuous patriotism made it possible for a Liberal Prime Minister —acting for no party, but in the interests of the nation —to make Ireland this great offer of reconciliation, which we all pray will re-establish a lasting peace.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FINANCES OF ULSTER CLAIM FOR SAME TAXATION POWERS AS FREE STATE. (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 8. Sir James Craig will arrive in London early to-morrow. He is expected to see Mr." Lloyd George immediately and insist upon the necessity, of Ulster having the same powers of taxation as the Irish Free State. . . Mr. M. Barbour, the Ulster Minister of Finance, to-day reviewed tho financial situation in the Northern Parliament. He said that the revenue for the current year would bo 315,000.000 instead of £16,500,000, as estimated, while the expenditure would be increased to 314,900.000, compared with the estimate of 313,850,000. Fortunately he had prepared a Budget’ to secure a surplus of £3.650.000, which would be available to meet the adverse charge of 32,550,000.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ULSTER MAY CONTRACT OUT London, December 7. The Belfast corresnondent of “The Times” says that the general bel'ef is that .Ulster . will contract out. will be Iliad.' to secure more equitable financial consideration. The two points most discussed i'-i'e the financial clauses and the Boundary Commission. It is estimated that the amnesty, will aftcct 3400 internees.—“ Times.” CARDINAL LOGUE URGES UNITY. London, December 8. Cardinal Logue (Armagh), in an interview said the settlement was.fair. enough, 'hut he would prefer to see unity in Ireland.. They should forget the old divisions and war cries and work for unitj . ■\n Irish Parliament would save Ireland being fleeced by England. • He was of the oninion that a six-county Parliament would prove too expensive—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn., EFFECT ON IMPERIAL POLICY PROFOUND CHANGES EXPECTED. London, December 7. Ths “.Daily Mail” says that the creation of. an Ir,ish. Free. State will effect profound changes in tho government ot Also, if Ulster joins t.ie AllIreland Parliament, there will be 100 fewer members entitled to sit at Meetminster.- The Irish Office will disappear, also Irish branches of other Departments. A. High Commissioner representing the Free State will be established in London, and Ireland will have her own post office and stamps. Far-seeing politicians say that tue change must hasten the creation of a permanent Imperial Council, or a Parliament of the British Comraonwealtli of Nations. This is now rendered moro obviously necessary to deal with questions of common Imperial policy.. This subject is under consideration throughout the Empire, and will become a question of practical politics within ysar. Mr. Michael Collins, in an interview, said- “The creation of the Irish Free State has laid the foundation upon which may be built a new world order. We can begin by bringing Britain and the colonics and Ireland into an association of frex States. The colonies, ns grownups, are restive'under the appearance of parental restraint.- (hough willing to co-operate with the parent, on an equal footing. Ireland as a-separate nation is naturally • more restive under any control by "a neighbouring nation, but is equally willing to co-operate in a free association on all matters of common concern. The problem can only he solved by recognising that there is no limitation to tho complete indr-nendence of the several countries.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT SESSION TO BF. DEVOTED TO IRISH AFFAIRS. London, December 8. The State opening of Parliament on December 14 will be on the most impressive and spectacular scale befitting the historic occasion. The Irifih Guards will occupy the place of honour among the troops lining the route of the procession. Tho session, which is expected to terminate on December 21,- will be entirely devoted to Irish affairs. The drafting ot the agreement and the Ratification Bill has commenced now. It is expected that Mr. Lloyd George will decide to go to the country in March, backed by the prestige of the Irish settlement, the proposed economies by Sir Eric Geddes’s Committee, and the results of the Washington Conference. Large crowds and a guard of honour provided by the volunteer army enthusiastically welcomed the Sinn Fein delegates at Kingstown. A full meeting of the Dail Eireann Cabinet followed. Sir James Craig met the Ulster Unionist Partv to-day, and will consult with Mr. Lloyd George, Lord Birkenhead, and Mr. Chamberlain at Downing Street tomorrow. It is believed in Belfast that fhe Ulster Cabinet intends to demand equal powers in finance and taxation to those given to the South. The first batch of released internees Toft Mountjov Prison to-day. They expressed .satisfaction at the settlement terms, and declared that “what is good enough for Mr. Griffith and Mr. Collins is good enough for us. For the future wo will work ns energetically for Ireland as wo fought for.her before.” Authorities at military headquarters in Dublin state that if peace is ratified the Crown forces will be withdrawn within a month. , The congratulations Mr. Lloyd George received to-dav included messages from Mr. Balfour. Mr. W. M. Hughe’, and Mr. W. F. Massey, and numerous American branches of the Irish Sclf-Deiei-mination League.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CAUSE OF MISUNDERSTANDING REMOVED MR. LTXIYI) GEORGE REPLIES TO • AMER 1C A N jMESS A GE. Vancouver, December 8. Mr. Lloyd George has cabled ns follows to the United Press Agency :-“T am very grateful for your-kind message of congratulations. Those are pariiculaily welcome which come like yours from the United States, for they carry with them the assurance that the deeply-rooted cause of misunderstanding between the British Empire mid your great Republic has been at last removed. If. indeed, tho heart and conscience of the gifted Irish race are now to s'upnorl those common ideals for which the Empire and I he Republic gave their hmyl to l’’riuici.‘ in the Great War, the cause of justice and open dealing and peace among nations will go forward with a new power. Wo have watched with admiration' and thankfulness the clear and

vigorous load given by your statesmen nt Washington to this great cause. I have been deeply disappointed that the work of the Irish Conference here has hitherto prevented me being present at that momentous gathering. Its splendid work is now so well advanced, and we have such strong confidence in Mr. Balfour and his colleagues of the British Empire delegation that 1 do not think there will be any call for my attendance before its deliberations close; but I look forward to another opportunity of visiting the United States at some future time.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MICHAEL COLLINS HERO OF HOUR ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF AT EUSTON. London, December 7. “The Times” lobby correspondent gives an interesting sketch of the most picturesque of the Irish delegates. He writes: The Prime Minister and his colleagues made reckoning without knowledge of Michael Collins. The fact is that nobody in this country knew Collins; even Dublin Castle ™ not aware of what manner of man he is. In the negotiations he has been revealed as the possessor of a keen, incisive mind, with a quick grasp of situations and their possibilities. He was matched against three of the acutest intellects in th;- Government —the Prime Minister, Lord Birkenhead, and Sir Gordon He-wart. He has held his own, and maintained Ireland’s cause. There was unbounded enthusiasm at Euston on the occasion of the departure of the Irish delegation. An enormous crowd bore Sinn Fein- flags, and the police were overwhelmed. When Mr. Michael Collins, who is the hero of the hour, approached, a young woman dashed from the crowd and embraced him frequently. Mr. Collins lost his hat. and was literally bundled into the train by a dozen policemen forming ■ his bodyguard, while others were hard pressed to keep off the cheering folks. The train departed to the singing of “The Soldiers' Song.”—“Times.” FRENCH CONGRATULATIONS (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 9. The President of France, M. Millerand, lias telegraphed to the King as follows: — "Heartiest congratulations on the settlement in Ireland. The whole of I rance shares your joy in the happy event, which lias ended long and cruel difficulties.” M, Millerand also congratulated the King on his personal services in the matter. / . . To this the King replied: “I am deeply moved by your kind thought, and thank you in fhe name of the whole- British Empire.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SATISFACTIOnInJoUTH AFRICA Cane Town, December 8. The Irish settlement was received with the greatest satisfaction throughout the South African Union. General Smuts cabled his "onwratulations to. the King and Mr. Lloyd Georgs and Air. de Valera. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CHEERED IN ITALIAN CHAMBER • (Rec. December 9, 7.30 p.m.) ( Rome, December 8. AU parties in. the Chamber of Deputies cheered the announcement of the Irish settlement. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. “all to India’s good”' RESULT OF ANGLO-IRISH PACT, (Rec. - December- 9, 7.30 p.m.) Washington, December 8. Mr. Sastri. asked to-day what effect the Irish settlement would have on India, said he thought that nothing but good would be the outcome. Britain could hardly refuse India what she had granted Ireland, biit he was afraid that the immediate effect would possibly bo trouble due to the present rebellions movement, which would receive an additional impetus in • the ■ hope ■of getting immediately what otherwise might be denied or delayed. Wlieij that (rouble was over the result of the Anglo-Irish, pact would he' all to India’s good.’Special to Australian Press Assn.