THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1921, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

DE VALERA’S DECISION. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. IRISH CABINET DIVIDED. SEVEN HOUR SITTING. LONDON, Doc. 8. . It is stilted that .Mr tie Valera's manifesto was the sequel to a Sinn Fein m Cabinet meeting lasting for seven ’diour.s. The actual position, however, is uncertain. It is possible that Mr tie \ atom and the other two Ministers who agree with him, may resign from the Cabinet, thus leaving the remainder of the Cabinet to carry out the Treaty. THE DISSENTIENTS. LONDON. Dec. 0. • Regarding the question of Ireland accepting the Treaty terms, the Sinn Fein Cabinet is reported to be divided as four to three. Of the latter, the Minister of Defence in the Dnil Eiveann Executive, is Catlinl Bruglia, and the Home Minister is Austin Stack. It is reported that at the Cabinet meeting Messrs Griffiths, Barton, Cosgrove and Collins voted lor the acceptance of the terms. FEAR OK IRTSH WAR. LONDON, Dec. 8. .Mr Stanley Baldwin (President of the Board of Trade), speaking at Kentish Town, said there was an extreme Tory opinion that the Government would not have surrendered but for lawlessness and murder. This was quite erroneous. The Irish rebellion could have been suppressed more easily than has been commonly supposed, but it would have entailed war and bloodshed. The effect of this on the world and on the Washington Conference would have been disastrous, il a liilal attempt had not been made , to liiul a peaceful solution.” GRIFFITHS’S STAND. LONDON, Dec. 9. Mr Arthur Griffiths issues a manifesto in which he says: “I signed the Treaty between Ireland and Britain, in the belief that the Treaty would lay the foundation for peace and friendship lietween the two nations. What 1 signed, I shall stand by. 1 believe that the need of the conflict ot centuries is at hand.” DE VALERA'S DECISION. BOMBSHELL FOR LONDON. LONDON, Dec.

The Australian Press Association understands that Mr de Valera’s decision came as a bombshell that hurst in Loudon dunng the early hours ot the morning. Such a dramatic development was not expected. Ireland and liisli all'airs had faded temporarily from the official picture. The Anglo-1* renrh relations and the question ot reparations had taken their place. Nobody was present in the official quarters to deal with the new crisis. The announcement of it reached the London newspapers direct from Dublin. SINN FEIN LEADER. MANIFESTO AGAINST TREATY. LONDON, Dec. 9. De Valera has issued the following manifesto to the Irish nation: "To the Irish People”:— “The terms of the proposed agreement are in violent contlict with the wishes of the majority ot the Irish people. as expressed freely, at the successive elections, during the past three years. I feel that it is my duty to inform volt, immediately. that I cannot recommend the acceptance ot ibis treaty, either to the Dfiil I'.iieaiin, oi to the country. 11l this attitude I am supported by the Minister for Home Affairs ami the Minister for Defence.” The manifesto continues" There has lied) a public session of the Dail Kireunn summoned for Wednesday. I ask the iieople to maintain, during the interval, the same discipline as they have done hitherto. Oui Cabinet, though it is divided, is piepared to tarty'on. The Public .Services and the Arinv are not affected bv the political situation. The great test of our people has come! Let us fate it.worthily, and without recrimination.”

WARNING TO IRISH. TREATY SIGNATURES FORCED. LONDON. Dec. s. Mr Arthur O’Brien, the Representative of the Dail Eircann in Great Britain. gives his view of the proposed terms in a letter to the Irish Sell Detenu million League of (Beat Britain. Me says: —“The claim of the Irish people has always been for the recognition of their complete independence.” Mr O’Brien warns the Irish people against any premature rejoicing, lie declares that "it has been under a threat of renewed and intensified warfare that five Irishmen have been compiled to sign their names to a document that is not a cause tor rejoicing. The people in Ireland itsell have received the news ill dignified silence. This document is hut another milestone on the long road to Irish freedom. It is not the goal. It is the English rumple who have cause to rejoice, that they have won another round.”

YOUNG IRELAND'S WISH. LONDON, Doc. 9. The Australian Press Association says: \Ye understand there is the ■ r.avest reason to suspect that Mr Art 'O'Brien is pulling strings against any proposed settlement which does not mean separation. It is said to he wellknown that Art O’Brien has.strong supporters, including many of the younger Irish and younger Catholic priests who are directing a propaganda among the young men, including the English Catholics in their parishes. At the same time (says the Australian Association) there is no doubt a great bulk of the Trish in this country (England': desire peace and welcome terms. Home advices from Ireland have indicated there is a similar attitude among the rank and file of the people, the prompt release of 0000 Sinn Feiners from the prisons being regarded everywhere as an overwhelming evidence of British good faith.

l.I.OYl) GEORGE’S EULOGY. LONDON, Dec 9. Mr Lloyd George has sent a message to the “Coalition Liberal Banner,” at Manchester Reform Club, saving: “Tell mv Liberal friends that, despite discouragement and criticism, 1 am still doing my best- in the way which, appears to me to he the most practicable to secure for our beloved country the blessings of real peace. Tam sure the Manchester Liberals will not grudge expressing appreciation and gratitude to our Conservative colleagues, whose conspicuous patriotism has made it possible for a Liberal Prime Minister, acting for no party, but in the interests of the nations, to make Ireland this great offer of reconciliation, which, wo all prav, will re-eslahlisli a lasting pence. Fit knch congratulations. LONDON. Doe 9.

The French President. M. Millernnd, has telegraphed to King George as follows:- “Heartiest congratulations on the settlement, regarding Ireland. The whole of Franee shares the* jov in the appy event, which has ended long and cruel difficulties.” M. Millerniul has also congratulated King George on liis personal services in the matter. KING’S REPLY. LONDON, Dec. 9. The King has replied to-the French President as follows: “I am deeply moved by your kind thought, and I thank you, in the name of the whole British Empire.” INDIAN CONGfiATUI.ATION. WASHINGTON. Dec 8. Mr Saski (Indian delegate) asked today, “what effect will the Irish settlement have oil India"” He said he thought that ‘ nothing hut good would be the outcome. “Britain,” he said, “could hardly refuse to give India what she granted Ireland; hut lie was afraid that the immediate effect ol tin' settlement would possibly lie trouble, due to the present rebellious movement, which would receive an additional impetus in a hope to get immediately what otherwise would be denied or delayed. When that trouble was over, the result of the Anglo-Irish pact would be till to India’s good.” Ml lR F. CONGR ATV!.ATIONS. LONDON, Dec. 8. The messages of congratulations received by Mr Lloyd George to-day included messages from Mr Balfour, Mr Hughes (Australia), Mr W. F. Massey and Imui numerous American branches of the Irish Self-Determination League.

SOUTH AFRICAN SATISFACTION. CAPETOWN, Dec. 8. The news ol an Irish settlement- has been received with the greatest satisfaction throughout the South African Union. General Smuts lias rallied congratulations to the King, to Lloyd George, and to Mr de Valera.

ENGLISH ELECTION EXPECTED. LONDON, Dee 9.

Mr fjrilliths Bos' men (President <>i tin- Bnnnl "I AmholtMid speaking atNuttinulvnti. urj'id the necessity fur a cuntiuunurc uf the Coatilinii. lie tltuiijiht flint ;i uriirrnl election I'uttlfl nut In- loan delayed. Thu Irish settletnunt. hr stiiil. would In* tin* prelude to a> adjustment uf lnnny uf tlioir troubles und it wnttld brine buck to Knuland her old timu prosperity. Cl I.M BKH I.A I N"S VIKW. I.ONDOX. Dor 9. Mr clininbrrlnin. spenkinp; nt n BarH* met tinu in London defended tin* slops wliirii tin* I'niunist nionibers uf the C’abinrt bud tsiken in yoiineciun with the Irish Xejjot i.-itions. He pointed nut tut the Unionists had run n considerable risk of heine misunderstood ■owing to the secret negotiation. He added:—• “But history will not .indue them, or the Coalition, too hnrshly. as they have ended this old feud and have brought Ireload wule heartedly within the Empire.”

ULSTER'S TALL DEMAND. LONDON. Dec 9. Yesterday Sir .las Craig met the Ulster Cnioiiisi Cabinet. lie consults Mr Lim’d George. Lord Birkenhead and Mr Chamberlain at Downing Street on Friday. It is believed in Belfast that the Ulster Cabinet intends to demand that powers to deal with finance and taxation fully equal to those proposed for the Irish Free State shall he given to Ulster. ULSTER FINANCE. BUDGET SURPLUS. LONDON. Dec. !). Mr Balfour (Ulster Minister of Fitiiinee) to-day reviewed l lster s finance in the’Northern Parliament. He said that the rccenle for the current year would he CIu.OiKUKM instead of the £]fi.s( 1(1,000 estimated. The expenditure, would he increased to £11,0(16.0(1(1 as compared with ail estimate,] expenditure of £18.850.0:111. 11.- added that, fortunately, lie had prepared a budget to secure a surplus of L'li.OoO.dOO, which would he avilnhle to meet adverse charges of C 2.000.000.

A DANCE EPISODE. (Received This Day at 9.5 y.m.) LONDON .Dec. 9. During a Sinn Fein dance in Bellast celebrating peace, shots were fired at two special policemen. One was dangerously wounded. IRISH PRESS DISMAYED. (Received This Day at 8 80 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 9. “Frecnni u’s Journal” demands

a national, tullest suppon no who were the nations spokesmen at London Conference. The “Irish Times” views De Valera’s statement with dismay. The whole nationalist press and vast majority of Southern liishnieii aeeepted the Treaty joyously.