BRITAIN'S RELIEF.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1921, Page 5

BRITAIN'S RELIEF.

AGREEMENT WELCOMED. GOOD PRESS COMMENT. THE END OF CONFLICT. By Telegraph.:—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 7, 10.45 p.m. London, Dec. 7. The Irish settlement has received good Press comment throughout the Ijnited Kingdom. The Belfast* Telegraph says there can be no compromise. Freeman’s Journal declares Ireland has given the strongest proofs of her will to peace, and looks to Mr. Lloyd George and his colleagues to do their part in ensuring that the opposition of a fanatical minority shall no longer prevent peace with honor. The Daily News states the British Government may claim the respect due to a broad and generous conception ana to patience and adroitness, which alone could have surmounted the enormous difficulties in the way of its execution

The Daily Herald comments: “Approval or disapproval of the details is now irrelevant; what matters is the great hope for a future settlement which the treaty gives. It is admittedly a compromise, and everything will depend on whether it is carried out in the right spirit.”

The Manchester Guardian considers the agreement is a splendid achievement, reflecting the utmost credit on those concerned in the negotiations, such as only a coalition of the great Government parties could have carried through.

The Westminster Gazette considers the outstanding virtue of the terms is that they are independent of Ulster’s consent. She may come in or stay out, as she chooses. Her claim to receive the same terms as offered Sinn Fein is not admitted, which of course is vne crucial decision which has enabled Sinn Fein to accept the British offer. The Liverpool Post thinks no exception can be taken on any ground of Imperial interest, rectitude or dignity. It is a settlement also which the Irish people may accept with the consciousness that though it does not for the moment bring unity to Ireland, which is their ideal, it includes everything thereto that the most fervent glow of nationalism could aspire. The Glasgow Herald comments: “December 0 should take a notable place among the anniversary dates, if it marks, as we belieVe it will, the definite termination of the discords and conflicts that make up the history of the British-Irish negotiations. We can set no limits to the beneficent horizons which will presently engage the ambitions and comparative activities of a united people.”

The Morning Post says: “Surrender is always surrender and a betrayal a betrayal. Condonation of a crime and praticipation in sin is criminal. Yesterday’s event is but the culmination of a steady policy of yielding to threats and intriguing with rebels. Never before in modern times has the British Government quailed before armed rebellion and organised assassination, and acknowledged itself impotent to enforce English law and English justice, and has totally forsaken the King’s loyal subjects. It appears that one benefit to the new world promised by the Prime Minister is the disappearance of the ten commandmants.”

The Daily Chronicle sa.ys: “With the signature of the settlement England and Ireland can see each other with their own eyes, face to face, as equal partners in liberty.”

The Daily Telegraph remarks: “Because we have lived through years in which disasters and triumphs of a stunning magnitude followed one another, wearying the imagination, let us not misapprehend the character of this event. It is the greatest that has happened in the internal affairs of Britain for generations, for we have to measure it by the duration of the quarrel which it ends. Come what will, now our portion of the responsibility for that incessant and disastrous complication is liquidated. At last we hail the signature of the agreement as the supreme event.”

The Daily Express says it is impossible to exaggerate the relief throughout the country in the announcement of the settlement. So perish the malignant troubles which for many centuries have poisoned our domestic politics. The terms are generous beyond cavil.

The Paris Journal Debates says the Irish settlement strengthens Mr. Lloyd George’s authority at Washington. He will present himself there under exceptionally favorable conditions, and find his task facilitated by > new sympathies.