AN ULTIMATUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 212, 6 September 1921, Page 5

AN ULTIMATUM.

REPLY OF THE DAIL BRITAIN'S LIMIT REACHED. BISKS FOR SAKE OF PEACE. IRISH PRESS VIEWS. ■(By Cable.— Press Association.-Copjriglit.) l _ ißeceiveil 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 5. The -It\A\ Independent" says that Mr. de Valera's reply does not close the negotiation*, but rather leaves the road still clear to a just and honourable peace. Jt continues: "While we rejoice that the. latest development is not unsatisfactory, our people must guard against undue optimism, for on the nature of Britain's response depends whether the issue will be honourable peace or war.' . The •■lrish Times" says: "We still hope for the best, but if Cabinet declares on Wednesday that a complete deadlock has been reached, what will the Irish do? They need not seek to abuse the Government, whose position has been clearly defined from the outset, and cannot look for support and sympathy in Europe or America, since the whole world is urging them to accept the Government's offer."

The "Belfast Newsletter" says that Britain has gone to the extreme limit of concession, and has taken tremendous risks for the take of peace. The Sinn Fein will not be conciliated and does not want peace but disruption.

The "Xorthern Whig-"' says: "De Valera has flung practically an ultimatum in Mr. Lloyd George's face. Its presentation, unless we are entirely misinformed, has been preceded by preparations to resume war. We fervently hope that the camarilla will think better of their insane design to challenge the Empire, but it would be extreme folly for the British Government and Irish loyalists to count on that."— (\ and N.Z. Cable.)

The "Times." In a leader, regretting the prolonged exchange of Xotes as likely to emphasise the deadlock, urges the Government to exercise patience, eTen to indulgence and call another conference in an effort to reach peace.

A Dublin message says that Southern Lnionists show symptoms of pessimism, the •'lrish Times" accusing the Dail Eirann of risking a breakdown in the negotiations, and shaking public confidence in its capacity to "negotiate a settlement.— ("Times.")

PEACE NOT B£AUY WANTED BY THE J>ATL EIBANN, INIXTTENCE OF THE PEOPLE. LOXDOX, September 5. The newspapers take a serious view of de Valera"s reply. The "Daily Chronicle states: '"It is obvious that de Valera's letter precipitates something of a crisis: It could not have been written in its present form if the majority of the Dail Eirann had really wanted peace on the basis of the Government's offer, or even if it cared much about securing a settlement without a return to warfare. It remains to be seen how far th» majority of the Irish people, which certainly holds a different view on both these points can influence the final decision of the Dail."

The "Daily News" observes: "While the Government wants to enter a conference on the basis of its original offer, ■with six vital conditions attached, de Valera demands that the conference be unfettered. There is no reason why the Government should not allow the conditions to be frankly discussed, or. apart from the stubbornness of a born theorist, why de Valera should refuse to debate on equal terms the practical contingencies of the real peace whicli is offered. Let de Valera remember that Ireland has never before been presented with so remarkable an opportunity of winning the substance of freedom. We hope the Government will liave the moral courage to respond to the letter in a spirit of forbearance."

The "'Daily Telegraph" says: "The character of de Valera'a letter makes itimpossible for the Cabinet to take any action which may have been agreed upon in the expectation of Mr. Lloyd George's suggestion of personal negotiation being accepted in a sincere and reasonable spirit. It might have been accepted simply in a reply of a couple of sentences. No one would have ventured to expect quite that from de Valera, but he might rationally hay.i been supposed to have been ready to send an acceptance that did not read like a refusal to negotiate. The Cabinet is best able to decide whether there is any possibility of progressing toward a settlement, despite the letter. The nation i≤ now quite at one ■with the Government in its attitude upon Ireland, and leaves the matter confidently in its hands."

The correspondent of the •'Daily Telegraph" in Belfast writes: "De Valera's letter has not created surprise here. Jt is now felt that there is no hope of settlement left because a conference without the conditions already guaranteed to Ulster could not be held wit! "t opening up the whole que-tion of j;c: ; beyond the original offer. It h believed here that the next move will be the application of a time limit to the negotiations, after which the tnve will cease automatically/— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) SUBSTANCE OF FREEDOM. not offered by britain, mysterious view. LONDON, September 5. Michael Collins, chief of staff of the Irish republican army, speaking at Armagh, said that de Valera's letter had not altered the position of the Dail Eirann. "We have simply taken our stand," he said, "on the principle of government by consent of the governed. Britain's acceptance of that principle will mean a speedy peace. '"The Government's offer does not give Us the substance of freedom. The Northern Parliament is bejng made an artificial excuse for keeping Ireland asunder. "I say that freedom is coming. Nobody can stop it. It will bring an era of prosperity and development. Our proposal is that the Northerners come in *ith their heads up, abandon the policy •j biting off their noses, and take their piare in governing their own country, •"he Northern Parliament does not and Ijannot control Ulster's unruly elements." |A. and N.Z. Cable.)