THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PRETEXTS FOR WAR. LONDON, Nov. 28. The Loudon “Daily News,” in tile course of a. remarkable article on Lord Birkenhead’s recent speech on the Irish question, in which he said world issues were involved, submits a series of pertiuent questions. It assorts the nation is determined to have replies to tiiese questions. Firstly: How can the Irish, living only a few hundred miles distant, lie the absolute masters of their own destiny if the British Crown retains ii right to veto Ireland’s own domestic legislation ? Secondly: Is the oath of allegiance, taken by individual members of the Legislature, like the Dominions, the only practicable way of exhibiting the symbolism of the Crown?

Thirdly: If Ulster is to be the Quebec of a Canadian Ireland, wliat area then ought Ulster to be? The “Daily News” goes on: “Unsubodited evidence of the negotiations would alone furnish the material for satisfactory answers to these questions. The clearest understanding of all the arguments-regarding the symbolism of the Crown is specially important, because the final battle will undoubtedly be fought on this issue. “Englishmen are not prepared to kill Irishmen, and then force the survivors to take an oath.” The “Daily News” asks — Firstly: If Ireland is ready to submit to the King’s supremacy, by declaration by the head of her State, hut eannot promise that the individual members of the Pail Eireann are to take an oath except that of loyalty to Ireland—is this a casus belli? Secondly: If Britain is prepared to accept such supremacy, and to waive the individual allegiance, but is compelled by Ulster not to accept—is this a casus belli?

Thirdly: If Ireland is prepared t» accept a qualified independence, on these lines, provided that any northeastern area to he excluded is debited by a plebiscite of the people—is tliat a casus belli!'

The “Daily News” declares: “The answer is in the negative.”

Tlie paper then demands a most complete report regarding the negotiations, in order to prevent a war being started, against the will of the Rritish people.