The Daily News. MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1921. AMERICA’S ADVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 1921. AMERICA’S ADVICE.

“If,” says the New York Tribune, “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 difficult for them to arrive at fairly accurate conclusions. The evidence is clear that the great mass of Americans, including the large majority of those of Irish extraction, beheve *'.iat the present opportunity to settle matters should be seized, and that the British offer embodies about all that can be expected at the present time.” This common-sense view appears to reflect the general opinion of the leading newspapers in the United States, nor can any other line of argument be expected from any unprejudiced source. American opinion has always been sympathetic with the aim of the Irish people to control their own affairs, and the sympathy has been of a practical nature, as, demonstrated by the large sums of money collected there in aid of the cause. This was evidenced at the recent meeting of the Dail Eireann, when a vote of thanks was passed to America for monetary help. At once the question arises whether, having only too gladly accepted generous financial aid from American citizens, the Irish leaders will now give heed to the sane advice that is tendered with an equal desire to further Ireland’s best interests. That the advice is timely is obvious, but it reaches the extremists when they have the bit between their teeth and in a mood to kick ovei’ the traces regardless of consequences. At the same time it is offered in a spirit of absolute friendship. Practically it asks those who aTe at present in charge of the destiny of the greater part of Ireland not to be hasty and rash, but to take what is offered and work for something better; in other words, to follow the example of South Africa.. The correctness of this attitude is selfevident. America has had painful experience in connection with secession, an-d is in a position to deal with that question more effectively than any other country. Hence the grave warning given by the New York Times that if Mr. Lloyd George appealed to the country on this question, he would, as the result of a general election,

“emerge stronger than ever politically. and Sinn Fein would be more isolated and more hopeless.” One may well wonder what would happen to Ireland if De Valera had his way and adopted the tac-

ties he is at present pursuing. What Ireland needs is peace, and that can only be attained by rational, sane government and statesmanship based on conciliation, and not by extravagant chimeras which tend to inflame the people to excesses. The consensus of enlightened opinion in America —and elsewhere —is that if the people of Ireland truly desire, as undoubtedly they must, to become free, prosperous, and happy, with a new era of real national life opened up to them, they must take what has been offered, prove themselves worthy of being trusted with the power of selfgovernment, and work up an objective which would draw them closer to Ulster, Britain and the Empire, and not isolate them from their best friends. It is a pitiable spectacle De Valera presents in trampling the offered olive branch under his feet and blatantly asserting that “they meant to arm themselves to the utmost of their power.” That is the reckless attitude of a demagogue, and not of a responsible leader and statesman. Ireland has been offered a Constitution such as the Dominions have proved to be sufficient to meet all requirements. However the views of the American Press may affect the bulk of the Irish people, there can be no question but that they are welcomed by the people of the Empire, and that they express the general feeling regarding the situation. Gratuitous advice, no matter how fitting, is not generally highly prized, but it would seem that Ireland cannot afford to ignore American views, so that, as money always talks far more potently than words, it may be the Irish leaders will take to heart the wise counsel that has been tendered from across the Atlantic.