IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

SEEKING A SOLUTION. THE WAY NOT CLEAR. MODIFIED PROPOSALS. Received Not. 27, 5.5 p.m. By Telegraph.—Press Assa.—Copyright. London. Nov. 26. The Daily Express lobbyist, under -he heading "Lister out of the Picture. ’ ieclares the only chance of an Irish settlement now lies in the Sinn Feiners* acceptance of a Dominion Parliament for the South, leaving Ulster’s position unchanged. The Sinn Fein delegates have taken this proposition to Dublin for the consideration of the leaders of the Dail Eireann. The possibility of acceptance are not bright, but there are great inducements for Sinn Fein to accept, the chief being escape from tne higher taxation operating in Britain an 1 Ulster. To-day Sir James Craig (Lister Premier I told Mr. Lloyd George emphatic ally that he could not join an all-lreland Parliament under any guarantees whatever. Mr. Lloyd George is now trying to induce Ulster to consider the possibility of an all-Ireland scheme later, when the feeling between the North and the South is less bitter. Sir Gordon Hewart (Attorney-Gen-eral), speaking at Leicester, said that while the Irish conference is in being, hop? of a lasting settlement must not be abandoned, but certain matters so vital and fundamental cannot be subject to any kind of compromise. * One is allegiance to the Crown. What is expected by Ireland is the same allegiance as Australia. Canada and South Africa owe the Crown, which represents the reality of common citizenship. It is not possible for Irishmen at one and the same time to be alien* and citizens.

THE NEGOTIATIONS. STATEMENT TO BE MADE. Received Nov. 26. 5.5 p.m. London. Nov. 25 It is authoritatively stated that when the Ulster Parliament op£n« Sir James Craig will probably make a statement, agreed upon between Mr. Lloyd George and himself, giving the situation of the negotiations to date. The future course of events depends largely on the Ulster Parliament next week.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE ISSUES DISCUSSED. THE POSITION OF ULSTER. POSITION STILL GRAVE. Received Nov. 27. 11.5 p.m. London. Nov. 2ft The Observer, summarising the Irish aiegotiatione, says Ulster should not prejudice her own situation. She has mot been ask Ad to commit suicide for the Empire’s sake: she has been asked Xo make some concessions to the peace find contentment of Ireland within the Empire. Thoughtful Irishmen will view with dismay the future of Ulster as a disconnected part of a hostile Ireland, as a State without tolerance, founded on coercion, seething with suppressed discontent, and more and more compelled to condone mob violence.

If the Ulster Cabinet is to play a statesmanlike part it will have to face its mob. We do not think it has been faced yet. and if it is not faced the Government of Ulster will -pass under *he sa ray of sectarian passion from bystreets. The future of the negotiations hangs on the most slender thread, and whatever the result, two facts may be stated: There is no question of the coercion of Ulster, neither can there be a question of coercing South Ireland •while it is prepared to recognise the Crown and the Empire.

Lord Birkenhead, speaking at Tunbridge Wells, said the present was the most anxious time since the armistice There was still great hope of Mr. Lloyd George going to Washington. The Irish quarrel had weakened the wivtie Empire and produced unhappy consequences in the United States. There was a greater tribunal than the Irish conference, or the Imperial Parliament, namely the tribunal consisting o' the citizens of the Empire. If the only method of attaining peace consisted of force it seemed no British Government could shrink therefrom, but it would not bring a contented Ireland nearer.

None could complain that the Government had not offered Ireland the whble substance of her historic claims. Neither directly nor indirectly in any contingency was the Government’s policy to apply coercion to Ulster, and no question of ; a king from her the special privileges under the 192® Act could arise, but the Government hoped that some time in the near future Uster would recognise that her interests in many matters could best be served bv an all-lreland assembly This was the gravest issue which had arisen from the conference. He could not predict it wouid be solved, and he added: “It wouM be misleading you if 1 pretended that the anxieties relating to the conference have in any way dimin-