IRISH PEASE,

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1921, Page 5

IRISH PEASE,

Fuu.J' OF THE COALITION. VISCOUNT GREY'S ADVICE. DIFFICULTIES STRESSED. Bj Tel err* ph.—Press Assu.—Copyright. Received Oct. 11, 8.5 p.m. London, Oct. 11. Viscount Grey, who was Secretary of Foreign Affairs when war broke out, delivered his first political speech since Jiis retirement in 1916, at Berwick-on-TwCed. He said the next election will be fought on issues made plainer since the war. The Coalition justified itself during wartime, but had now an unsettled policy; by jumbling and changing its policies it had impaired public confidence. The Coalition would not make an offer to Ireland until reprisals failed, which was dangerous, because Irishmen are now negotiating with a sense of victory. The Irish delegates are now not dealing with a Government; they are beginning to deal for the first time with British public opinion. It would be dangerous if the Irish delegate? should force, the negotiations to a point at which Britishers b.Ueve their self-preservation is endangered. Viscount Grey said Dominion partnersh.p was equal partnership, with only one foreign policy. If this is the solution at which the Government aims it must have the consent of the ocher Dominions; it cannot bring a new partner to the Imperial Council board on the same terms as the outer partners without the latter's goodwill. Britain and Ireland cannot secure naval defence for either island unless defence is under one authority. A partitioned Ireland would never realise Irish aspirations. Any attempt to coerce Ulster must fail, as Ulster’s aid must be won by the rest of Ireland. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TRUCE NOT KEPT. BREACHES BY SINN FEIN OBSTACLE TO PEACE. . Received Oct. 11, 8.5 p.m. London, Oct. 10. The Daily Telegraph says stricter observance of the truce is essential to the success of the Irish conference. There have been big parades of the Irish Republican Army, with bombing instruction, in many places. High rankers in the Irish Republican Army visiting camps made inflammatory speeches, while there has recently been ; extensive landing of arms. Notices declaring a boycott on English goods have been posted broadcast in Dublin. and the seizure and destruction of Belfast goods consigned to provincial traders contiryje, while the Irish Republican Army has commandeered Government property and private premises for army pur- ■ poses. The conference cannot meet in a i proper atmosphere while this continues. I Regarding the suggested release of in- • temees, the paper says that this is an armistice, and it is impossible to release prisoners until peace is actually signed. It ie learned in official quarters that J when the Irish Conference meets. the| British Government representatives will i probably demand from the Sinn Fein ' representatives an undertaking that the j truce will be more strictly observed while negotiations are in progress.

MESSAGE TO SINN FEIN. APPEAL TO aiAND FAST. PROCLAMATION BY DE VALERA. Received Oct. 11. 9.44) p.m. London, Oct. 11. Mr. De Valera has issued a proclamation to the Irish people, saying: “Our delegates unanimously desire that the secular conflict between the rulers of Britain and the Irish people may happily end. The only peace that can end the struggle will be a peace consistent with the nation’s right, guaranteeing fredeoro worthy of the sufferings endured to secured it. It is not the skill and statesmanship of leaders that will end this conflict, but the stem determination of a close-knit nation, steeled to acceptance of death rather than abandonment of its rightful liberty. Nothing but such determintion by our people can overcome the forces with which our delegates have to contend. “By heroic endurance and suffering Ireland gained the position she holds. Were the prospect of further horrors and further sacrifices to cause her to quail and falter for a moment all would again be lost. Threats that could force surrender on one vital particular would be relied on to force surrender in another. till all would be gone. Ireland must stand where she is. unyielding and fearless on the rock of right, or be outmanoeuvred and defeated in detail.

“The power against us will use every artifice it knows of in the hope of dispiriting, dividing and weakening us. V7e must all beware. The essential nnity can best be maintained by unwavering faith in those deputed to act on the nation's behalf, and confidence manifesting itself in eloquent discipline •to the eno.”