IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 July 1916, Page 5

IRELAND.

|the home rule question. NEGOTIATIONS REACH A CRISIS. AN OUTSPOKEN LETTER. Received July 24, IO.aO p.m. London, July 24. The Irish negotiations have readied a crisis. Tlio Xalioiutlists eontend the amending IliU shVnild not so beyond the written agreement made with Mr. Llovd George, and declare they have received -information that (he Government's proposals do »o beyond these written terms. 'l'lie proposals cannot he accepted. The Nationalists meet to-day when a final decision is expected. Sir Horace i'lunkett, who founded the co-operative agricultural movement in Ireland, in an outspoken letter begs .Ministers not to imperil their existence by attempting to impose upon Ireland a settlement which Ireland does not want to accept. Because Sir Edward Carson and Mr. Redmond endorsed Mr. Lloyd George's scheme, the British public lielieves the opposition is confined to the rebels, who want a Republic, and the myopic Unionists, who won't see that Home rule is the law of the land. The real opposition to ihe scheme comes from the great body of moderate Irish opinion, which accepts the Home Rule principle, but considers its application at the present juncture is mischievous and inopportune. At any open unfettered convention in any 'of the four provinces Mr. Lloyd George's proposals would simply be 'howled down. The scheme has merits. The idea of calling in statesmen of the self-governing 1 Munitions after the war to aid in shaping a permanent policy for Ireland is a valuable inspiration, but the rest of the scheme, including a premature .and unnatural partition of the country, and the establishment of an Irish Parliament without consulting the Irish electorate, hopelessly damns it. The C»vernment's scheme won't get Ireland out of the way. On the contrary, the'l scheme would play directly into the hands of the most violent section, the Sinn Fein group. The situation demands a provisional, and wholly Irish system of administration, to be formed to carry on the Irish (lovernment foi the duration of the war, without prejudice to tlie solution of the major problem, which may be found possible hereafter. Such an administafion must rest on the postulates of Home Rule and is inevitable, and at least as much as is now conceded must be absolutely guaranteed to the Nationalists. Secondly, Ulster must not, and cannot be coerced. Sir Honee Plunkelt is sure that such a solution will be accepted by a united Ireland in a spirit of relief a'nd gratitude, ai" ne believes Sir Edward Carson and Mr. Redmond will now he glad to consider any workable alternative scheme to that so embavrass'mg.y put belore them on behalf of the Cabinet. AN INDIGNANT BISHOP. •Received July 24. 5.5 p.m. London. July 2". The Bishop of Limerick, in n strong letter, replying to a communication from the committee formed in Belfast to oppose Mr. Lloyd George's proposals, stated: "I can well understand your anxiety and indignation at the proposals of your own political leaders to cut you oil' from your country, 1 have very little pity for you. because you have acquiesced in a kind of political servitude, wherein your function was to shout party shibboleths. Von have ceased to he men. Your leaders, consequently, think they can sell you like chattels. Our poor country is made a thing for truck and barter in Liberal clubs. ' T doubt greatly whether the partition scheme will become law. We have piled such, a mountain of debt and taxation upon Ireland that it becomes u matter of indifference whether we arc included or not. HUNGARY ! THE NEW PEACE PARTY. SHOULD BE POPULAR AVITH . PEASANTRY. London. July 22. The Morning Post's Budapest correspondent reports that one of Karolyi's followers states that ihe new Independence Party seems to be secure and independent of the Hungarian army, and that an Immediate conclusion of peace would save the country from invasion and further aaeriflees. He adds: "We ale not going to have Hungary any longer made the dupe of. Aaistro-Gcriuany." Karolyi's Home, policy inofludes the, distribution jf State and clergy-owned land among the peasantry. UNITED STATES. BRITISH BLACK LIST. VANKEES ADVOCATE REPRISALS. . New York. July 21. The New York newspaper, ihe American, says (he British black list puts the United' States in the enemy class,-and urges President Wilson to resort to reprisals against Britain. The New York World says the atlenipt to terrorise neutrals, anioiinting' to a declaration oi commercial warfare against the United States, may be the forerunner of the boycott discussed at |he Paris Conference. The Tribune says Britain should not attempt to prevent American vessels from carrying boycotted linns' goods to neutrals. ' The proclamation is impolitic and a challenge to the United States. Britain should withdraw her foolish and futile black list. AMERICAN LIVES LOST. New York, July 21. A message from Portland, Maine, states that there were three Americans aboard the British steamer Yscr. BALKANS. ALLIES' LOAN TO GREECE. Athens, July 23. It is reported that Britain and France have advanced Greece twenty million . francs. TURMOIL IN BULGARIA. '. Paris, July 23. The Petit Parision says the people of old and new Bulgaria are in great turmoil. Owing to the Allies' successes the Germans have lost the strategic, initiative in Bulgaria and Russophiles have plucked up courage and boldness.