THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. IRISH VIEWS. LONDON, Dec. 10. The tone of messages from fill parts of Ireland embracing divergent centres of sentiment indicate, favourable prospects for the Treaty. Cardinal Logue’s summoning of the Catholic itiierarehy on the eve of the meeting of the Dail Eireann is regarded as a significant move to influence its decisions'. / !

HOPES OF SETTLEMENT. i LONDON, Dec. 11. Stephen Gwynn, writing in the “Observer’’ states De Valera does not represent the normal Irish mind. He reasons abstractly and his logic puts an end to bargaining which the Irish like. The release of the prisoners mitigated the gloom which was caused by bis surprising unwelcome bombshell. Gwynn pointed to Bishop Fogarty’s letter, in this connection, coming as it does from a most important Bishopric which of course is De Valera’s constituency and also the county in which the I.R.A. are the strongest and best organised. Fogarty lias hitherto been most outspoken in support of what the Sinn Fein lias done. Now lie comes out frankly for peace. Gwynn adds that it is doubtful if any Bishop is against acceptance. The “Sunday Times” thinks Do Valera lias not left himself a loophole of escape. Defeat will be a severe blow to his prestige, but he has placed himself in it position which will make it difficult for him, with any show of consistency to co-operate with his quondam colleagues in a new regime. THE IRISH TEST-. LONDON, Dec. 10 The test estimates of Wednesday’s trial of strength expect the Griffithites to carry one hundred votes in Dail Eireann, against 24, leaving the De Valera groujf the option of resigning and restanding on the Republican ticket.

PROPOSED NATIONAL PARTY. LONDON, Dec. 10. Apparently authoritatively, the “Pall Mull Gazette” announces that the Premier has taken the occasion of the Irish settlement and decided to form a general national party oeinposed of Conservatives, Unionists and Coalition Liberals. He will formulate an Imperial, national, democratic policy. A great party conference will he held in the Central Halt at Westminister on 2nd .lanuary. Churchill, Chamberlain and Birkenhead wholeheartedly support the proposal. The paper also states that before the fusion, Mr Balfour and Sir Hsiniii.l' Greenwood will he given peerages. Hcwnrt a high, legal promotion, aml Shortt a judgeship. Members " ill he sounded probably at the next week meeting of Parliament. Very possibly there will he Liberal accessions to the party, but Labourites are not affected. THE THUNDERER’S COMMENT. “THE TIMES” SERVICE LONDON. Do.-. 1“The “Times” says De Valera’s illtimed outbreak judged by what had gone before it, confirms the intimations that he has been quietly pushed aside by the more moderate, reasonable Irishmen. The “Times” refers to the general satisfaction with the agreement felt throughout United States, adding, “If Irish in an excess of madness should reject it, sympathy for the Irish cause would disappear in universal disgust-’ THE ULSTER- DISTURBANCES. LONDON, December 11. The Ulster Unionists’ labour Association has passed a resolution to demand the immediate and unconditional ielease of all the Protestants who have been imprisoned in connection " it-h their Irish troubles on the ground the recent release of SimfTMners. ULSTER. FEELING. LONDON, December 11. The latest news shows that the Ulster Unionists regard the dramatic rapproachment between Britain and Sinn Fein as a great grievance. Dark and cryptic statements are being made ill Belfast regarding Ulster’s future attitude. Increasingly frequent anti-British feeling is in evidence in Ulster. At one public function there on Saturday, the audience demanded that “God Save the King” he not played. It was accordingly removed from the programme. __ At other places where the National Anthem was played the audience remained seated. There was a reference in many churches on Sunday to dark days before Ulster. Tha Protestant Bishop of Down, writes a remarkable letter l \to (the “Morning Post”. He says: “Hail Ulster taught bitter hatred against England and to school children, had she entered in wartime an intrigue with Germany, had she raised a rebellion when Britain engaged in a life and death struggle, had Ulster ambushed British soldiers or mutilated them when dead, or murdered British officers in their beds in the presence of their wives, would the- British Government have thought Ulster’s wishes worthy of consideration? Thank God Ulster did none of these things. She could not do them, hut one Thing she dared, notwithstanding surrounding lmte. She dared to love England; yes, she love her, and fought for her, for centuries Was she wrong?” j A DUKE’S VIEWS. LONDON, December 11. The Duke of Northumberland, speaking at Berwick, predicted that the Irish settlement would he followed by a similar demand from Egypt and India, the Empire would be disrupted. He believed that a reaction would shortly he inevitable when the English nation would demand that the conservative Party should extricate it from a dangerous position created by the political opportunism of the last few years.

RIOTS IN BELFAST. REUTER’S TELEGRAMS, '.Received This Day at 8 a.tti.) LONDON; Dec. 12 There was incessant firihg, iff Various , pints of Belfast oh Saturday night, particularly in the dock area, where the police and military fired on rioters, who retreated to the Houses, whence they returned the fire which had, little effect. One person was killed and one wounded. A BISHOP’S SERMON. (Received This Day at 5.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12 * Gregg, Protestant Archbishop of Dublin, in a sermon said—“lt concerns us all to offer the Free State our loyalty and goodwill. I believe there is a genuine desire on the part of those who .have long differed with us politically to welcome our eo-operation. We would be wrong politically and religiously to reject the advances.”

SINN FEIN PRISONERS. LONDON, December 12. The Labour “Daily Herald’s” Dublin correspondent says that he is convinced that the political prisoners in Ireland will be released sioon. The Irish people do not distinguish between those interned and those, whose cases were considered,', by British courtmartials. Ine Government’s decision to release the prisoners later, he adds, will he taken as another token of relationship. It is believed in Dublin (he adds) that Michael Collins and Arthur Griffiths will command in tiie Dail Eireaiitt a majority of 80 to 10. His keenest friends do not believe that Mr de Valera can possibly carry the Dail Eirealm. He has three alternatives: “'Do accept the Treaty and become a simple member of the Dail Eireann, thus tacitly acknowledging the end of short-liv-ed Irish Republic; secondly, to invite defeat and then retire; thirdly, to lead an Irish Republican party, similar to General Hertzog in South Africa. Indications are forthcoming (says the “Herald”) that Belfast is now producing an important school who are prepared to join the south, whose financial condition is envied by the Ulsterites. The latter fear that an attempt will be made, to divert the Belfast trade to Dublin. It is well-known that the Ulster business men, now in Dublin declare that peace is inevitable. They say Ulster will be compelled, for financial and economic reasons, to accept friendly association with the South.

SOVIET HISTORY WITH FRILLS. OTTAWA, December 10. A remarkable statement is published hv the “Philadelphia Public Ledger”, \vliutil says Air Martin Glynn former Governor of New York State, and a lifelong worker for Irish freedom, claims to give some inside details of how the Irish settlement was initiated, lie incidentally gives the chief praise for the early arrangements to Archbishop Mannix. Mr Glynn, says the paper met Dr Mannix last March at Rome. Following on their conferences regarding the Irish question, .Mr Glynn returned to London, and there, through Sir Philip . Gibbs, A. G. Gardiner, and others, induced Air Philip Kerr, (Mr George’s Secretary) to arrange for an interview between Air Glynn and Air Lloyd George. Mr Lloyd George expressed to Air Glynn his willingness to concede to Ireland almost everything except the privilege of quitting the British Empire. He said he believed that a series of conferences would settle the question without Ireland leaving the Empire, yet taking her place among the countries of the world as a Free State. “Air Lloyd George told me,” says Air Glynn, “that it was the ambition of his life to settle the Iriiffi question.” He said’-: “I am going further than I ever went before and as far as I can ever go.” He then proposed that Air de Valera should come to London for a eonferene. “Tell de Valera,” he said, “that we will give him an army for his protection if he wants it.” Then a newspaper correspondent named Sfiewart was sent to Dublin as a messenger. Meanwhile Air Glynn states, recounted the offer to Dr Alannix, who said to Glynn: “Are you sure that your hearing is right If that offer had been made two years ago, the Irish question could have been settled in a fortnight.” Dr Alannix (Glynn continues) was so favourably impressed that he said he would make a speech in favour of the proposition. Mr Stewart duly met Air de Valera. The latter was disguised as a tottering old man. Air De Valera was, indeed at first suspicious because AH [Lloyd George had failed to announce public- : ly his invitation to a conference. Then 1 Mr Lloyd George next confirmed the news. Mr Lloyd George (says Glynn) i kept every promise, was most earnest , and sincere. Air Glynn concluded: “And the world owes to Air Lloyd George a debt of gratitude.” | IRISH AMERICANS. 1 NEW YORK, December 12. 1 The National Convention of the Soei- | ety of the Friends of Irish Freedom I have pledged themselves to raise a large fund of 2,52-5,000 dollars to i wage a campaign of propaganda against , Britain in the United States, and to ! support the Sinn Fein elements in Ireland who are striving for a free and independent Ireland, having no connection with England. The Convention condemned the proposed settlement. Tfiey called all those involved in the Anglo-Trish pact a set of traitors. j NOT SATISFIED. * (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) j LONDON, Dec. 12. i Sir James Craig speaking in Ulster Parliament, said the position was grave and serious. The treaty did not carry out the solemn pledges given to Ulster. He accused Hon Lloyd George w of a breach of faith.