ULSTER’S ATTITUDE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1921, Page 5

ULSTER’S ATTITUDE.

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER. “WILL NOT SWERVE” LOYALTY TO EMPIRE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 13, 7.15 p.m. London, Dee. 12. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland), addressing the Ulster Parliament, said he had never previously been confronted with such a complicated situation as the signature to the treaty between Britain and Sinn Fein had created. “We were not included in it, and we were not invited to sign it,” he added. “Without going into details, I must confess the treaty has not carried out Mr. Lloyd George’s solemn pledges that Ulsters rights would not be prejudiced or sacrificed.” Sir James Craig advised members, however strongly they felt on the subject, not to act in any unconstitutional manner, leaving their interests in tno hands of their representatives in the Imperial Parliament. They felt principally on two points, finance and the boundary commission. Sir James Craig said he’hoped the Ulster people would maintain a dignified attitude of calm courage and hopeful optimism, trusting to their leaders. Ulster was determined to stand by her ideals, and would not swerve an inch from them. They were only anxiious to remain part and parcel of the British Empire. STATEMENT BY DE VALERA. HONOR OF THE COUNTRY. QUESTION OF RATIFICATION. Received Dec. 13, 7.15 p.m. London, Dec. I'2. Mr. De Valera, in a statement, said“l have been asked whether the honor of Ireland is not involved. The plenipotentiaries were sent on the distinct understanding that any agreement mad? was subject to the Dail Eireann s ratification and that of the country, and could be rejected by the Dail Eireann or the country if it did not commend itselr to them. The British Parliament and the people will on their side similarly consider the agreement solely on its merits, and if they desire so to do the British Parliament and people can rejec. it Ratification is not merely a formality. The United States refused to ratify the treaty signed by ex-President Wilson. The honor of a nation is not involved unless and until the treaty w ratified.”

SIR JAMES CRAIG. ALLEGES BREACH OF FAITH. London, Dec. 12. Sir James Craig, speaking in the Ulster Parliament, said the position was grave and serious. The treaty did not carry out the solemn pledges given to Ulster. He accused Mr. Lloyd George of breach of faith. The Most Rev. Dr. Gregg, Anglican Archbishop of Dublin, in a sermon, said: It concerns us all to offer the Free State our loyalty and goodwill. I believe there is a genuine desire on the part of those who have long differed from us politically to welcome our co-operation, and we should be wrong politically and religiously to reject their advances.”