IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

ULSTER’S ANSWER. FORWARDED TO LONDON. TEXT NOT REVEALED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 18, 8.5 p.m. London, Nov. 17. Ulster’s reply was delivered to Downing Street this afternoon. It is authoritatively learned that the Northern Cabinet has again demanded the publication of the correspondence, and expressed its unwillingness to enter conversations unless certain conditions in Mr. Lloyd George’s invitation are not enforced. Mr. Lloyd George, who has been resting at Bournemouth, decided, after receiving Ulster’s reply, to return to London forthwith. The Irish Conference will probably meet to-morrow to consider the reply. Political circles gravely view the situation created by Ulster’s reply. It is stated on high authority that if Mr. Lloyd George fails to find a way out of the impasse he will appeal to the country. Sir James Craig threatens that if his appeal for publicity fails he will publish the correspondence without Mr. Lloyd George’s approval. • The Irish Bulletin last night indicated the precise point of difference between Ulster and Sinn Fein. It pointed out that the latter offered Ulster local government commensurate with its particular needs, besides an honored part in the national Government. The Unionists declined, insisting on safeguards which would give them equal representation with the majority in the central governing body. Meanwhile no further meetings have been arranged between tbe negotiating parties. This, with the fact of Sir James Craig’s pending visit to France, then his immediate return to Ireland, causes the gravest suspense. It is regarded as especially significant that Sir James Craig did not wait for the Liverpool result before delivering his reply to Cabinet’s last communication. The general election chatter was resumed after the conference, with more than a suggestion that Mr. Lloyd George would now appeal confidently to the country for a mandate to deal with Ireland as a whole in a manner best calculated to serve the Empire as a whole. The result of the conference has aroused bitterness in Belfast, where the verdict is thoroughly understood. The Morning Post’s correspondent says Ulster is preparing to hold the north-east corner of Ireland immune from the growing ascendancy of Sinn Fein. The Liverpool decision will freshly stimulate the recruiting of the Ulster Imperial Guards, the strength of which in Belfast is now 21,000.

PLEA FOR PATIENCE. NO PLEDGES TO BE BROKEN. Received Nov. 18, 9.35 p.m. London, Nov. 17. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, speaking at the Liverpool Unionist meeting, pleaded for patience. He added: “Give us a little time; we don’t ask much. The story will be told, and you shall judge whether we have kept faith or broken our trust. We hear n lot about the “diehards”, but if they wait until they know there will be no split in the Unionist Party. If peace cannot be had with honor and without broken pledges there cannot be peace. No Government of which Mr. Lloyd George is a member will coerce Ulster. Sometimes there comes a moment when a great act of faith could achieve a miracle which statesmanship could not accomplish. Such a moment is passing now.” A BLOW TO “DIEHARDS”. NO GENERAL SUPPORT. Received Nov. 18, 9.35 p.m. London, Nov. 18. The conference of Unionists, which adopted Mr. Salvidge’s amendment by 1900 votes to 70, demonstrates that the “diehards” are unsupported in their attempt to make Ulster a barrier in the way of peace. Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law were notable absentees. The former explained it was unusual for the Prime Minister to attend a party conference. Mr. Bonar Law’s absence was less accountable for, but it is assumed in some quarters as an indication that, while be will not take definite sides against Ulster, he will not take the responsibility of joining the “diehards”. Mr. Chamberlain’s considered reitreation of the pledges tn Ulster leaves Sir James Craig’s attitude more obscure than ever. There is a growing conviction that whatever steps are necessary against Sinn Fein hereafter Ulster, in case ot war, will have a grave share of the responsibility. At the same time Sir James Craig’s demand for publicity, which has apparently been rejected by Mr. Lloyd George, disturbs public feeling. ANOTHER PROTEST, Received Nov. 18, 8.5 p.m. London. Nov. 17. Mr. Barrie, Vice-President of the Irish Department of Agriculture, has written to Sir Hamar Greenwood stating that he was amazed at the extraordinary suggestions with reference to Ulster underlying Mr. Austen ChamberlKin’s letter. If the Government’s proposals in any way weakened Ulster’s position as established under the Act of 1920, it must resign.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ATTITUDE OF UNIONISTS. HOPES OF SETTLEMENT. AN IMPORTANT CONFERENOE. London, Nov. 16. It is stated on the highest Unionist authority that the Unionist members of Cabinet are hopeful of achieving an Irish settlement, despite the apparent great difficulties, provided they are not exposed to premature interference or compelled to make premature disclosures during the most delicate negotiations. Unionists in the country may be assured that their leaders will insist on complete security not merely for the Empire, but also for Ulster. Lord Derby, in accepting the presidency of the Unionist Conference at Liverpool, admitted that it would require at the present time all the tact and intelligence possible to keep the party together, but he believed it court be done, and he hoped to be able to hand over to his successor a more united and stronger party than they had now. A deputation of southern Irish Unionists submitted a statement on the condition of affairs in southern Ireland. Lord Farnham declarer! that during the so-called truce they hfid gone through a real reign of terror. Many loyalists had been foully mudered. The people with the Goyernxncat wm confer-j

ring did not represent the people of southern Ireland. The real aim of Sinn Fein was to establish a Workers’ Republic on Soviet lines. Another speaker eaid that Sinn Feiners did not hide the fact that they intended to attack Ulster. The conference proceeded to discuss resolutions dealing with Ireland. Three out of four resolutions, constituting a furious attack on the Government, were withdrawn, leaving a milder one by Colonel J. Gretton, M.P., for discussion. This condemned crime in Ireland, urging that no settlement was acceptable that did not safeguard TJlster’c position and protect loyalists elsewhere. Colonel Gretton denied that if the Resolution was carried it would split the party. Should negotiations with the party break down the Conservatives should leave the Coalition and establish a Government. (Mingled cheers, dissent and uproar). Lord Middleton said Sinn Fein resistance had increased 500 per cent, since the truce, and now required three fold the present garrison in Ireland to resist it. (Cries of “Nonsense.”) Mr. Ronald Mac Neill said there was one thing Ulster would not accept, and that was one Parliament for all Ireland. Sir L. Worthington Evans pledged himself not to agree to any settlement that does not preserve the supremacy of the Crown and does not keep Ireland within the Empire, that does not ensure that the Navy shall guard all the shores of the Kingdom, that does not make Ireland pay her share of the war debt, or a settlement that requires the coercion of Ulster, or that Ulster be placed under a dual Parliament against her will. Mr. Salvidge tabled an amendment expressing the hope that consistently with the supremacy of the Crown and the security oi the Empire the meeting pledges safeguarding Ulster and the interests of the minority in South Ireland. The solution of the Irish difficulty might be found by the present conference in London. The amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority. AN OFFICIAL RESIGNS. London, Nov. 17. Mr. Hugh Barrie. M.P.. has resigned the chairmanship of the North of Ireland Department of Agriculture, because of what he characterises as the extraordinary suggestions of the Government in reference to Ulster.