THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIA** AND N.Z. CABLfe ASSOCIATION. THE POPE’S MESSAGE. LONDON, October 2i. The London "Times” devotes nil editoriili to Mr de Valera’s recent telegrrtin to the Pope ih, e'oHnertioii with the latLVn message to the King expressing satisfaction that Irish negotiations had been resumed. The “Times” says: “Mr de Valera’s telegram to the Pope, we imagine, will fill His Holiness with dismay, as it will certainly arouse indignation among people of this country and the Dominion. It is an Act of impertinence towards the Pope and towards the King. It is unmannerly churlishness. If he really speaks in the name of the majority of Irish people the chances of peach ate shiail. We are fully aware that irreconcilable forces in this country are also working to wreck the Irish ! conference, but these do nof represent ; the great majority in (Treat Britain. ! Yet it would be idle to ignore the strength which they in ay derive from ally manifestation such as .that of Mr Ai Valeri. Should peace, be frustrated, despite an honest endeavour of this i country, the cause must be so clear !as to justify its course in the even j of the civilised world.

••THE TIMES” CRITICISM. I LONDON, October 22. The London “Times” declares the j Pope’s recent message to the King will he accepted throughout the country as the most definite pronouncement he has yet. made regarding the Irish crisis. It says it. is accepted by ( most Irishmen that the Pope has in view a constitutional settlement with- j in the Empire. This (says the ‘Times’ ■ has given much pleasure to the authorities of the Roman Catholic church in Ireland. !

A CRISIS. LONDON October 22. The “Dally Express" (Conlition) states: Grave crisis has arisen in regard to the Irish Peace Negotiations. It arose with dramatic suddenness, it is owing to Mr i)o Valera’s references to the King's telegram to the Pope which points at issue is the sovereignity of Ireland.,’ The paper adds:—“A failure oi the negotiations wilj precipitate at general election. Already the Governments election organisers have had a warning. The Government mean to go to the eountrv for a firm mandate to resist the Irish Republic. When Mr Lloyd George saw the Irish delegates, (adds the Express) he intimated that if Mr de Valera’s pronouncement represented the, unalterable view of the Irish plenipotentiaries any further conference would be impossible. Tile conference then adjourned. LONDON. October 22. The Irish Conference has adjourned till Monday.

DK VALERA’S PROTEST. LONDON, October 22. The Sinn Fein organ, “the Irish Bulletin,” explains Mr de Valera’s message to the l>u|se. It was a protest against the phrase about troubles in Ireland being used in the King's reply to the Pope, being a dishonest description of the British war on the Irish people. Mr ile Valera’s message implied that the Irish majority, and Irish minority egard Ireland as their beloved land, and they desire both peace and contentment for it. He also protests in his telegram against the use of the voids “My People”, in the English message to the Pope* as he contends tliait this expression prejudices Ireland’s declared Independence. The Bulletin adds: “Peace and friendship is impossible if every expression of goodwill that is received by tin* British Government from other countries Is made a pretext for misrepresenting tin- issues as between Ireland and Britain. IJi'etaiul’ distinctive liatiiqnality md her people’s thrice reflected declaration i» support of their national freedom are the foundation on which my real ptiaee and true friendship between the two peoples must be based, if there is to be any permanence in either.”

LONDON PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, Octolter 22. The Ijcmdim papers lobby political •orrespoiidents say: ‘‘Unless Mr de Valera’s telegram is explained away, the Irish Conference will lie a» good as finished. The Sinn Fein leader is licit credited with high statesmanship but it is impossible to regard his action of his theatrical display, without tlm inference of a deliberate intenton of repudiating the King. It is a more deliberate one than any yet pult{ished, and compels that immediate notice be taken of a cardinal difference. Mr De Valera (says the correspondent e) is apparently counting on Mr Lloyd George’s anxiety to attend the Washington Conference to make the Government amenable to pressure. If so, they state, he has made a profound miscalculation.

The correspondents add: —The British Government, however, hope that before Monday the people of Ireland will find a way of indicating that they are not behind Mr de Valera; that that they regard liis intervention as a blunder 'which they regret and condemn”

The “Daily Matins” Rome correspondent states: “Air de Valera’s tole gram is being widely discussed. The general feeling is that he is guilty of an act of indelicacy. It is unknown at present, what steps, ii any, the Dope intends to take.” The correspondent continues: “A high Vatican official stated that' the Dope is much grieved over the mistrust lietween England and Ireland, of which Mr de Valera's telegram gives ail additional proof. He is convinced that if both could forget the past and approach the Irish problem with unbiassed minds, a solution would not lie long in coming.

A WAY OFT. LONDON. Oct. 22. The “Times” Lohbist writes that: “He has good grounds for stating that the Irish delegation were not informed of the terms of Mr de Valera’s message to Rome. Yet, Air De Valera's action will embolden critics of the Government to demand an immediate abandonment of negotiations.

if Mr de Valera would rc-import into the discussion tTie question of Ireland s Independence. “A speedy outcome cab fit- forSseOß if, otherwise; it is assuined that thSinn Feiii leader’s inteiitioii wa§ not deliberately to put ait end to tilt* negotiations:” THE POPE’S MESSAGE. LONDON, Oct. 21. The Pope’s message to the King is accepted throughout the-country ns tlie most definite pronouncement he has yet made, regarding the Irish crisis. It is accepted by most Irishmen .that the Pope has in view a constitutional settlement within the Empire. Tins has given much pleasure to the authorised Roman Catholic Church in Ireland. Middleton, provost of Tritiv College and Andrew Jilnieson have beeti elnlSelt to represent Southern Unionist Ireland at the conference on the questions affecting the Loyalist minority.

A LABOR VIEW, LONDON, October 23: Mr it. A: Ct yries at Woiveriiamtoii oil tlie Irish . _Cqn|breubf said three conditions desired by all was unity of understanding, ,and spirit between north and south Ireland; freedom uf Ireland on the basis of giving the people sole right to determine all purely Irish affairs and recognition of Irish nationhood within the great family of natons in the Empire. He was satisfied the conditions could he established and fulfilled consistent with sincere recognition of the Throne as the link which bound all these people within the Empire if no settlement reached alternative be perpetual war between north and south and between Ireland and this country.

TRISH AFFAIRS. LONDON, Oct. 22 The “Westminster Gazette” is of opinion that De Valera is piqued, because tlie Pope did not send hint a message simultaneously with that to the King. The “Irish Times’’ says Irishmen ih all parties will he disappointed. It pays a warm tribute to the King who in dealings with Ireland, has shown the warmest courage and liberalPy, aild made the triice and conference possible.

SETTLEMENT DISCUSSION. LONDON, Oct. Si. . It is learned from well iiifbrmed sources that the Irish delegates insistence on tin* essential unity of Ireland and suhservice of Ulster, nearly precipitated a crisis, hut it was averted byreferring certain questions to a joint committee giving time fo- further reflection. ft is also understood that t’ - <> best hope for a satisfactory settlement lies in the differences in Sinn Fein camps and the belief that the Irish delegates are purposely placing their demands high in order to eventually secure the best terms.