IRISH OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1921, Page 5

IRISH OUTLOOK.

THE SECRECY CONTINUES. POSITION MORE PEACEFUL. ULSTER BARS THE WAY, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 1, 8.45 p.m. London, Dec. 1. Since Sir James Craig's statement in the Ulster Parliament the newspapers have been busy speculating and forecasting the nature of Mr. Lloyd George’s new proposals. The rigid secrecy is unbroken, the only certainty being that the paper forecasts are wide of the mark. It is not safe to regard the situation as improved, though it is more peaceful. Sinn Feiners in Dublin profess to see a ray of hope in Sir James Craig’s assurance that Ulster is willing to freely consider fresh proposals. The Trish Bulletin says Sir James Craig's attitude belongs to the days of feudalism. This leader of a minority numbering barely a fifth of the Irish people assumes the right to dictate the people’s destiny, and takes into his own hands the decision of peace or war, and rejects as utterly impossible the suggestion which tiie British Government made for the sake of Ireland and Empire peace. Sir James Craig and Mr. Lloyd George do not mean Ulster when they say Ulster; they mean four predominent Unionist counties in the north-eastern corner of the province. What rights have these counties? This eighth part of the nation cannot tfaiin national rights, and this less than half the province cannot claim provincial rights. Mr. Lloyd George would not permit four English counties similarly to vote themselves out of England. Mr. De Valera, speaking at Cork, said: “Terrorism will not conquer Ireland. We have gone as far as we can consistent with our principles, and we cannot go and will not go further.”