BRITISH PRESS VIEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1921, Page 5

BRITISH PRESS VIEWS.

TIMES CONTINUES HOPEFUL. LIMIT OF CONCESSIONS. Received August 15, 7.45 p.m. London, August 14. The English newspapers generally agree that Mr. Lloyd George’s offer marks the limits of concessions ,to which the Government is prepared to go, and they express profound disappointment at De Valera’s reply, regarding it as tantamount to a refusal to accept the terms.

The Times sees a gleam of hope in the tone in which the reply is couched and says that in its substance it is a refusal, but a reasoned refusal, which seems to deliberately avoid any filial rupture. The paper adds: “Since De Valera’s return to Ireland the extremist counsels have apparently prevailed, inducing the leaders to put forward their view. We refuse to despair until the Irish people and Parliament have had an opportunity of studying the offer and weighing their reply.” Commenting on the Irish situation the Daily Express says: “We refuse to believe that De Valera’s communication represents the lest word. It is evident he is having trouble with his extremist followers, his letter expressing their views. We predict that Mr. Lloyd George’s proposals will favorably affect the bulk of the Irish people. The Government has already broken its rules by going straight to the point, making a firm and final offer of all it is willing to pay for Irish peace. The people of Great Britain are intensely anxious for a friendly settlement and are prepared to go to great lengths to realise their desire. Those lengths are reached in the Government’s offer.”

The Daily Telegraph says: “The only interpretation that can be put on De Valera’s letter is that courage to stand up against the extreme elements of Sinn iFein has not been found in its more responsible and better instructed leadership. They simply re-state the essentials of an impossible demand, totally disregarding the advice given by General Smuts in his letter. How far Sinn Fein is removed from facing the realities will be judged from the reference to Ulster, i The way remains open for the introduction of practical statesmanship into the negotiations on, the Irish side. On the side of Great Britain it is clear the utmost that could be asked of political generosity and human goodwill has been given.” The Morning Post says: “We thought it possible the rebels might have accepted the terms, because the conditions formulated by the Government give Sinn Fein all they want, inasmuch as a treaty framed on these terms would enable the South to declare a republic, leaving Great Britain the choice between acceptance of the situation and waging a war of reconquest. De Valera has other views and his insolent rejection is extremely significant. The position is that the Government’s proffered surrender and overtures have been flung back in its face. Short of wholly yielding to the rebel demands the Government of this country cannot sink lower. It courted, humiliation and received its full measure.”

The Daily News comments: “If Ireland desires the opinion of the civilised world on the choice presented by the British Cabinet she has it in General Smuts’ letter. It -is a. perfectly consistent attitude for Irishmen to take up that Ireland would be happier and. therefore ought to have sovereign independence, but that attitude ignores every consideration of practical politics and puts shadow before substance.” The Daily Chronicle says: “It is difficult not to discern many hands and two tendencies in De Valera’s letter, one a doctrinaire hostile to peace, the other practicable and favorable. The hostile tendency now has the upper hand in the councils which drafted the letter and it remains to be seen whether Irish public opinion and the opinion of the Dail Eireann confirm that supremacy.”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.