THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1922, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

iUSUIALIaN AND M.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. DE VALERA’S ALTERNATIVE. LONDON, January 5. Mr de Valera has issued the text of an alternative Anglo-Irish which he drew up. He will this as an amendment to the London terms on Thursday.

The document consists of 17 clauses. It includes recognition of the King only for the purposes of external asso- . ciation. There is no oath of. allegiance fj nor no mention of safeguarding Ulster.™ CRUCTAL DIVISION, LONDON, January ST It is pointed out that if Mr A, Griffiths demands a division as to whether Mr d© Valera shall he allowed to troduce Document No Tvjo as an an 1 endmentr, it will settle the fate of the Treaty,' as the yoting would be oh the party lines of the ratifioationists and rejectionists thereby bringing the matter to an immediate decision instead of continuing a protracted debate. Some amazement is expressed here at the contrasts 'between Mr Valera’s passionate proclamation and document number two, which preserves the closest- parallel to the Treaty terms. ■ • DAIL DEBATE CONTINUED. LONDON, January 5. In the Dail lEireann, Commander O’Duffy asked the deputies to Weigh their actions carefully, before flouting practically the unanimous voice of the . country. There were, he said, forty brave men now awaiting the hangman’s rope, seven of whom were in his brigade. All of them sent him messages: ‘‘Don’t mind us. Do what you think best, for Ireland.

DEi VALERA’S STAND. Just before the adjournment, a Deputy challenged Mr de Valera to produce Document No 2.

Mr de Valera jumped up and angrily (Protested against misrepresentation. He remarked: “I defy anyone to prove that I have departd in a single letter from the Republic aB established.’ Mr Collins then jumped up, and said excitedly: “I also protest that I have never given anything away!”

Mr de Valera then intimated his in- -X tenfion of moving an amendment on V Thursday' embodying Document No 2. Meantime this has been handed round among the members. Mr Griffiths pointed out that the document handed to members differed from Number Two. Mr de Valera: “You’re quibbling!” Mr Griffiths: “Six clauses are missing!” Mr de Valera: “I am responsible for this proposal. I ain going t» choose my own procedure!” Mr Griffith: “It is not competent for Mr de Valera to choose his procedure. He is not an autocrat.”

J>E VALERA’S PROPOSAL.

LONDON, January 5. Mr de Vadera’s motion for a treaty between Ireland and Britain reads follows: “Inasmuch as that the articles of Agreement in the Treaty as betweeiu Britain and Ireland, do not our national aspirations and the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Commonwealth, and cannot be the basis of an enduring peace between the Irish and British peoples, Dail Eireann, in the name of the sovereign Irish nation makes to the Government of Britain, to the Governments of the other States of the British Commonwealh,. and to the people of Britain and of the several States, the following proposal for a treaty of amity and association which Dail Eireann is convinced could be entered into by the Irish people with the sincerity of ; goodwill.” The proposed Treaty thereafter reads: — „ “In order to bring an end to the long, ruinous conflict between Britain and Ireland, by a sure, lasting peace honourable to both nations, it is agreed Firstly,—That the Legislative executive and judiciary authority of Ireland shall be derived solely from the people of Ireland.

Secondly,—For the purposes of common concern, Ireland shall be associated with the States of the British Commonwealth, viz., the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, the Dominion of New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa.

Thirdly,—When acting as an associate, the rights, statutes and privileges of Ireland shall, in no respect, be less than those enjoyed by any of the component States of the Commonwealth. 1 Fourthly—The privileges of Ireland shall include defence, in peace and war; political treaties and all matters now treated, as of common concern among the States of the Commonwealth -

Fifthly,—The citizens of Ireland shall not be subject to any disabilities which any other citizens of the Commonwealth are not subject to. Sixthly,—For the purpose of this as- , sociation, Ireland shall recognise his Brittannic Majesty as the head of the Association.

Seventhly,—So far as her resources will permit, Ireland shall provide for her own defence on sea and land, and in the air; and shall repel by force, any attempt by any foreign Power to violate her soil, or her waters, or to use them for any purpose hostile to Britain. Eighthly,—For five years,, pending the establishment of Ireland’s coast* defence, facilities for the coastal fence of Ireland shall be given to British Government, including harbour' and such other naval facilities in time of war as the British Government may reasonable require.

The Ninth, and Tenth Clauses are to forbid Ireland to build any submarines, unless by an agreement with Britain; ,

The Eleventh and -Twelfth clauses deal with air communications and ports. The Thirteenth Clause states that Ireland shall assume the liability for such share of the present public debt and for the payment of war pensions as is fair and equitable, having regard to any Irish counter claims, the amount whereof to he determined by arbitration. Clause deals with the ^ gesis i official*, and

Fifteenth.—Neither the parliament of Ireland nor any subordinate legislature in Ireland shall make any laws directly or Indirectly endowing any religion* or prohibit or restrict the free exercise thereof. . . < Sixteenth— By way of a transitional nrrangenleilt for the administration of irfeiahd, the members elected for the constituencies of Ireland under the 1920 ACt shall elect thh Transitional Governmfeiitj wheret otbe British Government the Bail Eireann shall transfer the " authority* powers and machinery: Seventeenth;—This iristrumefat shall be submitted for ratification to the British Parliament at Westminster and to the Irish members elected by the 192(1 Act; and when ratifications are exchanged it shall take immediate eff&cb.

CALL FOR COURAGE. LONDON, Jan. 5

Mr de Valera iii .his proclamation to the Irish pebple, says: “You are being asked to givfi your consent arid approval to a Treaty establishing British authority iii Ireland. You are beifig asked to bind yourselves with yoiir own hands. You are ashed to give your parole. Refuse —as In honour you must —if you don’t mean to keep it! t)o not allow yourselves to be misled by the talk about quibbles and shadows. Is it a shadow that wouia safeguard yoiir independence, instead of subverting it? Is it a shadow that would remove the authority of the British Kiiig, of the British Cabinet, and of the British Parliament, unequivocally;, from Ireland, that would remove from Ireland the British GovernorGeneral with his ear to the Downing Street telephone—that would rid you of the British occupation—that would assure Irishmen and Irish women of their identity as Irish citizens and not. make British subjects of thorn ? Stand fast, fellow citizens, by what you know to be right. If you quail at the consequences, what will they not ask you to surrender next to this ignoble fear.

WHAT TREATY MEANS. LONDON, Jan. 4

In tbe Bail Eireann, Mr Mellowes (editor of tbe newspaper “The Bepublic of Ireland”) declared that the Free State Government would operate as a barrief between Britain antf the people of Ireland. It would eventually occupy the same relationship to the Irish people as Dublin Castle docs today. The people would have to iemove it.

CONTINUED SHOOTINGS. LONDON, Jan. 4

It is reported that on Tuesday the shooting in Belfast was the worst for weeks. „ . Military carried out prolonged tusiiades. The death roll on Monday and Tuesday was six. . The authorities have proclaimed it illegal for two or more persons to stop in any part of York Street area, where an eight o’clock curfew operates tonight. , DE VALERA’S TIMELY APPEAL. TO AVOID A. RUSHED DECISION. LONDON, January 4. Mr de Valera has issued a proclamation to the Irish people. He asks the people not to allow themselves to be rushed into a decision which thy might live to deplore He asks them not to set their seal on a so-called settlement 'which cannot be a settlement. A CROWN OF INFAMY.

The proclamation asserts: “An opportunity for a genuine reconciliation has been lost by the short-sighted ex pedieney of British politicians, who, by a threat of war, dragged the Irish delegates beyond the.H™*'- This circumstance will ever be remembered as the crowning act of infamy by England’s rulers.” He adds: “You can yet retrieve the positon at the eleventh hour.” FREEMAN’S JOURNAL. TRA.DE AGAINST DE VALERA. (Received This Day at 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, Jan 5. ‘Freeman’s Journal’ says the Irish people will not find in de Valera’s publication 1 any justification for his attempt to divide the nation in the crisis of its fate. His alleged alternative is not an alternative. Apparently de Valera canot forgive the Irishmen who made the treaty, for their success. For this, he is ready to sacrifice the country. He has not the instincts of an Irishman in his blood. It is the curse of Ireland that its unity should be broken by such a man, acting under the advice of an Englishman who achieved fame in the British Intelligence Service. The document is largely the work of Erskine Childers. The Irish people must stand up and begin their freedom by giving their fate into the hands of their own countrymen.