AMERICA AND IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1921, Page 5

AMERICA AND IRELAND.

VIEWS ON THE CRISIS. PRESS SUPPORTS OFFER. IRISH SHOULD ACCEPT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received August 18, 10.20 p.m. New York, August 18. American newspaper editorial opinion appears to have ranged itself, with a very few exceptions, whole-heartedly-on i the side of Mr. Lloyd George and the British Government in connection with the Irish controversy. Their attitude is that De Valera would be best advised to accept the British offer, which promises happiness for the Irish people, if it does not give the extremists their objective. The New York Times says: “If the terms are rejected outright the general verdict will be that the Irish have shown themselves unreasonable and impossible. In particular it would be hazardous for De to attempt political tricks with the most adroit and most resourceful politician of his day. Mr. Lloyd George might seize eagerly upon the occasion to bring on a general election, in which the issue would be keeping Ireland in the Empire, and he would emerge stronger than ever politically and Sinn- [ Fein would be more isolated and more i helpless. It is to be hoped De Valera’s I more sagacious advisers will impress i these facts upon him in these critical I days.” ' The Chicago Tribune says: “We beI lieve a trial of the Dominion system of ! Government would prove satisfactory and thereunder the Irish people would find themselves finally free, prosperous and happj’, with a new erh of real na tional life and expression opened to them. They might not hrve attained their extreme objective, but nevertheless what they gained should completely satisfy the people who fought bravely, patiently and successfully for it.” The New York World says: “De Valera and Sinn Fein will do well to bargain in a conciliatory spirit for still more favorable terms. Time is on the side of Southern Ireland and if it will at once establish a Dominion form of Government for itself with full economical, political and social interests it will surely accomplish what coercion cannot do by uniting the Irish people under one Government of their own creation.”*

The New York Trbuhe says: “If the members of the Dail Eireann are as interested as they are said to be in American opinion concerning the latest phases of , the Irish question it should not be diffi--1 cult for them to arrive at fairly accurate , conclusions. The evidence is clear that the i great mass of Americans, including the ' large majority of those of Irish extraction, I believe that the present opportunity to settle matters should be seized and that the British offer embodies about all that can be expected at this time.” The Toronto Globe says: “The measure of home rule offered would enable Irishmen to live their own lives, to be governed according to Irish ideas, and to have the bulk of the public business transacted by Irishmen. The hand .of the British Government would seldom be felt.”