IRELAND AGHAST.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1921, Page 5

IRELAND AGHAST.

FOLLY OF SINN FEIN. ACTION OF EXTREMISTS. REFERENDUM SUGGESTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received August 16, 8.20 pm. London, August 15. The Daily Express lobbyist reports that De Valera is credited with the intention of standing up to the Sinn Fein extremists, pressing for a referendum on the Government offer. If the Dail Eireann attempts this method the Government is prepared to give all facilities, without committing itself to acceptance of the result. Those in touch with Sinn Fein opinion declare that though De Valera wrote the letter of rejection to please the extremists the letter must not be taken as Sinn Fein’s last word. If the extremists attempt to make further negotiations impossible a serious split may occur immediately between De Valera and the Sinn Fein movement. The Daily Telegraph’s Belfast correspondent says entire public opinion is aghast at Sinn Fein’s folly in rejecting the offer. It is not believed that De Valera is bluffing, but it will not be surprising if negotiations continue for some time before a final rupture. Cardinal Logue, interviewed, refused to express an opinion at this stage. The moderate Nationalists favor acceptance, but . they are inarticulate. So far as the rank and file of Sinn Feiners are concerned, there is a hopeful feeling that progress toward :• a settlement has not been checked. The Daily News’ Dublin correspondent reports that the extremists are daily bombarding members of the Dail Eireann with messages demanding “no surrender . and these are supported by a section of the younger priesthood. They commit three errors. Firstly, they badly'underestimate the British military strength; secondly, they fail to appreciate the strength and sincerity of the new spirit regarding Irish affaire that is pervading Great Britain; and thirdly, they make insufficient allowance for the effect of the British offer on World opinion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AMERICAN PRESS VIEWS. BRITAIN’S OFFER GENEROUS. SINN FEIN LEADERS WARNED. New York, August 15. The New York Globe and Post agree th a* Mr. Lloyd George’s offer is generous. A serious responsibility devolves upon Mr. De Valera if he recklessly prevents peace by clinging to unreasonable demands. The Post says it is within the power of the Sinn Fein leaders to win for Ireland a position so legally and morally impregnable as to satisfy the full aspirations of the Irish people. To permit an age-long animosity to frustrate that would be an act of wanton recklessness. The Globe considers the offer the best conceivable. It believes Mr. Lloyd George has honestly attempted to solve the problem. If the Republicans refuse they cannot Bay as much for themselves.

COMMENTS BY IRISH PAPERS. RUPTURE WOULD BE TRAGIC. London, August 15. The Irish Independent, commenting on he settlement proposals, says: “It will be ;ragic if the negotiations are broken off. SVe still strongly hope there will be a satis’actory settlement. There are three miliisrists who are anxious to prevent a peaceable settlement. They should not be allowed to have their way. The prospect ’or Ireland is appalling if intensified warfare is resumed.” The Irish News says: “The British Government planned the publication of General Smuts’ letter a prelude to the pubication of all the correspondence, so that he Irishmen summoned to the Dublin Mansion House this week will be confronted with a problem of enormous diffiiulty, and be compelled immediately to lake on their shoulders the tremendously important question of the determining of peace or war without further negotiations.” The Belfast Telegraph says that the Government has been magnanimous to the point of folly. Ireland would be insane to the point of criminality if she rejected the terms. Sinn Fein’s proposals, if carried out, would mean immediate civil war. The paper describes the foreign arbitration proposal as an outrageous insult. The Northern Whig says that the terms offered to the Sinn Feiners would bring obout the disintegration of the Empire. Britain's bitterest enemy could not ask ?asicr methods of bringing about her destruction than what Mr. Lloyd George has offered. The way Mr. De Valera writes about peace is sickening. Perhaps he imagines that, if he murders a few hundred more policemen and soldiers Mr. Lloyd George will grant him the right to secede; but the British Government that agreed to Secession would have a short life. The Cork Examiner says that it must be borne in mind that the terms offered for Southern Ireland are infinitely better than what Ulster has obtained under the Partition Act, and there seems a possibility of making even a belter settlement than that outlined. The Northern Whig says the rebels may take what is offered or compel the Government to undertake the reconquest of the West and South. The Government will undertake the duty reluctantly, but discharge it completely and finally, or make way for a Government which will give more adequate expression to the will of the British people. The Manchester Guardian says the choice is with Ireland. All her best friends and most resolute opponents hope she will not close the door to peace. The Daily News refuses to believe that the Irish will allow the present golden opportunity to be lost.

The Herald (Labor) says the Government has been driven by the sheer weight of public opinion to concede to Ireland a big portion of what she demands and intends to stand by whatever decision is arrived at. It is their right and responsibility to make the decision alone. NO AMNESTY GRANTED. Received August 16, 9.10 p.m. London. AugnMr. Lloyd George, replying t <iuestious in the House of Common-. - iid an amnesty ha<f not been granted :<•. any person in Ireßind. The release of members of the Dail Eireann was no precedent iot other reles-sss.