THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

•*♦*« THE BRITISH OFFER. CANADIAN AND AMERICAN COMMENT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. } ] OTTAWA, August 18. The "Montreal Gazette” commenting on the Irish situation says: “If Sinn Fein insists upon separation from the Crown and the establishment of a Republic there is grave danger of a revival of civil war on an extended scale. Why should not the status of Canada, I Australia, and South Africa content Irishmen?” NEW YORK, August 18. The “Boston Herald” says: “It is the prayer of all to the powers of goodu ill in the world that out of the troubled valley of decision there shall come a popular verdict for the establishment of an Anglo-Irish fraternity from generation to generation.” The “Atlanta Constitution” says:— ( “Britain lias gone far more than half- j way toward the common objective which j is a. basis of conciliation between the J Irish people and the Crown. Britain has gone much further than the world j expected. It is inconceivable that with such a proposal, Ireland will shut the door and hazard the certain and astrous consequences of rejection.” The “St. Louis Globe-Democrat’ | says: “The task of Mr de Valera and ‘ hi= 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.” DISCUSSED IN COMMONS. LONDON, August 19. T,i the House* of Commons, Mr Lloyd George said that he could sav nothing at this stage on the Irish situation. There always was a danger, he said that one word might be used which would lie capable of a misunderstand--1 ing or a misrepresentation. All his Government had to say had been said in bis two letters to Mr de Vi lera. His Government, he claimed had laid all its cards on th e table. He had himself heard no suggestion from nnv q,tarter of the world that the proposals of his Government had not gone to the limits of any possible concessions. He said that while # thc ncgotii tions remained open with regard to the details, yet the outline of the term;, that-lie had given could not be altered nor e«uld the basis lie laid down I*; changed. He said if an agreement were reached a Bill would be immediately submitted to the British Parliament, He said lie was bound also to provide for the possibility of a rejection o the terms laid down, ahd-said that 9 misfortune befell us, w c would be faced with a graver situation than had been before risen. A rejection by Ireland would mean a challenge to the authority of tho Crown and to the unity of Empire. The steps which then ought to be taken ought not to l>e taken with out consulting the British Parliament - He said lie would summon Parliament 1 at 48 hours notice. The Government reserved a right to take any “energy” measures necessary before Parliament met. He said he hoped that in spite of the prevalent disquieting statements ; reason would prevail and that the Irish leaders would not reject what he termi ed “the largest measure of freedom ever before offered to Ireland” or take the responsibility of renewing a conflict which would be robbed of all its glory” by its overshadowing horror. Mr H. H. Asquith said that the ■i Government’s proposals entirely eomi mended themselves to him. ; M r Thomnsi declared they had 1 reached a stage where the Irish ques ' tion had ceased to be a party question. t Mr Gritton protested that the Government had gone fnr beyond th< authority conferred on it at last election. The House of Commons eventually adjourned “the debate. Lord Curzon made a statement in the House of Lords on similar liiß'f to that of Mr Lloyd George. He ■ declared that no one could deny the Cabinet proposals were broad and lib- ' oral, and were notable concessions for a proud country to make. It was difficult to believe that any body of responsible men could reject such a dominion status. They would be sacrificing the 1 fruit in order to obtain the rind. Be asserted" that separation would infallibly mean the political and economic ruin of Ireland. If any challenge were given the British Government would accept it, and would not quail before Die ‘‘difficult” task. Lord Crewe, in the House of Lords said that the notion of ,a separate Irish Republic could not be considered. It would be wrong to despair ’ of a favourable issue. Lord Salisbury (Unionist) said that the Government misled the people, and the action they had. ta.ken ‘‘had been forced upon them by a band of assassins, while murderers and assassins had been received in Downing Street.” Lord Middleton declared that nothing more dangerous for the future of Ireland could be conoeived than that the both Parliaments in the north and south should be raising armies. Lord Birkenhead (Unionist) said. “It would be disastrous if it were not plainly realised by those to whom the Government’s offer was the English Government’s last word in the di rection of concession and compromise.” If the negotiations failed he said, they \vt>uld find themselves committed to hostilities upon a scale never heretofoi? undertaken by this country against I Ireland. CABINET ACTION. LONDON, August 20. Mr Lloyd George has appointed the whole Cabinet to act in an advisory capacity to Sir Hamar Greenwood as Chief Secretary for Ireland in" any emer genev.