The Irish Situation.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17247, 10 September 1921, Page 8

The Irish Situation.

Tte exchange of Notes between Mr Lloyd George and the Dail Eireann continue, But it is obviously draw tug to an end. No direct progress towards peace has been inade, but at any rate the ground has been cleared for tho only kind of conference from which a settlement can emerge, namely, a conference which all the delegates will, enter on the understanding that separation is ruled out of the possibilities. I Ift our last reference to tlie negotiations we expressed artazement that Mr de Valera "should think the occasion a fit " one for the exercise of verbal sparring "for an advantage." It still appears very surprising, and even more surprising that so skilful a controversialist as Mr de Vaiera should think to embarrass a still more skilful and wary debater by laying great emphasis on the virtue of the principle of "government by con- " sent of the governed." Mr Lloyd Georgia meets thite point by accepting tho principle, which is indeed tho foundation of British constitutional government, and at the same time pointing out its limitations. Carried to Che full logical conclusion, that lies at the end of the direction in which Mr de Valera would apply it, tho principle would involve the disruption of all organised States. It is open to Mr de Valera to argue tihis issue if h© bo desires, but there is a broad hint to him in Mr Lloyd George's letter that argument will be fruitless. Indeed, tho Prime Minister now states quit© clearly that the problem is narrowed down t6 the issue of separation. He ahowa that if the Dail Eireann refuses a conference at wfcfch tho Government's concrete proposals shall b$ examined, tfee inference is that Sinn Fein repudiates all allegiance to the Crown And aH membership in the British Conunonwealtfh. If, however, the obstinate attitude of Sinn Fein means only that its leaders desire- more liberal concessions, short 1 of separation, the terms offered tpr the Government can be examined. There is no bareness in Mr G»*w a 'b

note, but there is a clear coto • of finality, and Mr de Valera and his colleagues cann-ot any longer defer giving a definite reply to the question whether* they abandon their demand for separation or not. That demand has not yet been abandoned, and although its abandonment Trill still leave unsettled the difficult problems of defence and finance. agreement to remain within tbo Empire will mean t"ie disappearance of tlie only real obstai-lo to peace. For if Sinn Fein abandons its dream of a Republic, the rrir.li war can recommence only over vrhnt aro comparatively minor issues, and such n war could not be maintained ivith much heart or vigour. All tho world would think it utterly absurd of a r. assent British Dominion to wound itself in defence of its right to possess an Array and a Navy, and to no part of the world would it appear more s>l,"inl than to the ether Dominion-. •