OFFER TO SINN FEIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1921, Page 5

OFFER TO SINN FEIN.

DEFINITELY REJECTED, DE VALERA REMOVES DOUBT. A BROKEN IRELAND. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright London, August 16. De Valera, in his address to the Dail ’ireann, said that from reports in the British and foreign Press there seemed a doubt in the mind of the world as to his attitude over the British proposals. There was doubt as to whether his letter meant acceptance or rejection. There ought not to be any doubt. They could not and would not on behalf of Ireland accept the terms. It was said that Ireland had agreed to accept the status of Dominion home rule and had been offered it. Ireland was offered no such thing. There was no Ireland, but two broken pieces. God Almighty had placed Ireland as a unit beside another island. They wanted to be neighborly. They had no enmity to England—m least, if this question was settled they believed there would be none. The Irish question was the problem of a powerful and selfish person wishing to encroach upon the rights, property and freedom of his neighbor. That was the fundamental problem to be settled. There could never be any question of secession from England, because there never wag union. They had no enmity against the North; in fact, they were prepared to make sacrifices for the North that they would never make for Britain. . Ireland could not accept the terms offered. They were not what Canada and South Africa got, but an Ireland broken in two pieces. De Valera concluded: “The Irish people will not flinch now because more arms are being sent for.” SINN FEIN TO ARM. TO UTMOST OF THEIR POWER. PREPARED TO ACT BOLDLY. Received August 18, 8.10 p.m. London, August 17.

De Valera, speaking in the Dail Eireann, said they meant to arm themselves to the utmost of their power. Great causes had to give way to force, and if they had to do so they would do it boldly and not geek to save their faces. Commenting on the so-called Dominion home rule, De Valera said the co-operation of the British Dominions was free. British statesmen admitted it was free, and they said, as proof that it was free, that the Dominions could get out if they wanted to, but they did not choose to get out. Ireland was told she must stay in, whether she wanted to or not. Ireland did not claim the right to secede. There never could be the question of the secession of Irland, because she had never been in Union. If there had been union it was Severed at Dublin on January 21, 1919.

De Valera’s declaration that he would not accept the terms was greeted with prolonged cheers from the crowd gathered at the Mansion House, although the Repubbean Volunteers controlling the assemblage had ordered that there should be no applause after members had entered. De Valera commenced speaking in Irish, but relapsed into English, explaining that he was speaking to the whole country. When silence was restored after the declaration, De Valera quoted the Indian proverb: “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” Ireland, he said, was not going to be fooled again. A sensational incident occurred outside the Mansion House. Dublin, when Irish Volunteers arrested a police detective and two members of the Irish Constabulary detectives who were watching the arrivals. The Volunteers blindfolded the detectives, and later handed them over to the Dublin police. Collins, Sinn Fein Minister of Finance, reported to the Dail Eireann a credit balance of £1,000,000. The Dail Eireann carried a resolution expressing thanks to America for monetary help.— Cable Assn. NO STATEMENT IN COMMONS. THE POSITION NOT SETTLED. Received August 18, 8.10 pm. London, August 17. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, said it was not desirable to make a statement concerning Ireland today. The Government must be guided by the course of events from day to day; they did not know what might happen between now and the date of prorogation.—Aus.H.Z. Cable Assn.