DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSALS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3088, 19 May 1917, Page 7

DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSALS

(Rec. May 18, 7.10 p.m.) London, May 17. . Mr. John Itedmond (the Irish leader), m reply to Mr. Lloyd George's proposals, says there is no need to re-stato the grounds whereon the Irish Party decided not to negotiate with the Government. Hoadds: "I Bote what you. say as to the impossibility of taking actioa for fear of reviving- violent political controversy during the crisis of the war and the necessity of the Government proposin" a settlement substantially acceptable to both sides. I cannot accept this proposition, which has notsbeen applied to some other matters. Since the outbreak of the war my colleagues have considered two alternatives. I opine the first would find no support in Ireland, where they are irreconcilably -opposed to the scheme and any measure based thereon. To meet their vigorous opposition the proposed convention has much to recommend it, and I trust it may be found possiblo of realisation. My colleagues place no obstaclo in tho way, and are prepared to earnestly recommend their ; countrymen, on condition that the convention 'is rel presentativo of all Irishmen, all creeds interests, and parties, to have it sural moned without delay. If this is done I can assure you that mv colleagues and myself will spare no effort to realise the nigh and blessed ideal." S V" ITol To , h , n (Unionist), replying on behalf of the Ulster people, said- "Wo are opposed as strongly as ever to enter the Home Rule policy, but are willing to consider the exigencies of the present situation.' Ho .and his colleagues "had not the power to accept (ho proposals, but would submit them to the Ulster Unionist Council, with a. recommendation that a decision should be readied promoting the' peace and security of the United Kingdom—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Kec. May 18, 8.55 p.m.) ~ „. „,„ . ' London, Mav IS. ' Mr. W. OBnen, Independent Nationalist, has replied to the Premier announcing his unalterable opposition to the partition of Ireland, and accepting the principle of a conference, for which his followers have so long contended — Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. • MIXED~RECEPTION , n , „■ „ London, May 17. Ihe Governments proposals have been received with mixed feelings in Dublin. While the Nationalists concede that some advance- has been made, they fear the existence of traps which will vitiato the Proposals. The Sinn Feiners and these influenced by the recent statement of the Catholic and Protestant bishops repudiate partition in any form. Manv of the' southern Unionists are suspicious, and regard the proposals as unworkable, while Ulster is likely to bo prejudiced, owing to the absenco of definite financial proposals. Archbishop Crozier and Bishops Dav.. Peacock, Moore, and Darey havo issued a statement advocating postponement of tho question until tho Imperial Consh'. ttition is reorganised after the war, as a hasty conclusion will only increase the confusion. The "Freeman's Journal" predicts the prompt rejection of the scheme, but says that the suggestion of a convention implies an admission, that the acceptance of Homo Rule on lines which Irishmen themselves.sha.il determine is worthy of consideration.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' NATIONALISTS OPPOSE PARTITION London, May 17. The Irish proposals have aroused disappointment in Dublin. All sections of the Nationalists reject the partition basis, but the suggestion of an Irish Convention is regarded as feasible. A delegation of Catholics -which has been in Dublin for some days states that if the partition proposals are countenanced it will start a campaign to defeat them." ■ Mr. John Redmond presided at a meeting of Nationalists in.London, which decided u.pon certain action which had been embodied in a letter to Mr. Lloyd George, staling that the Nationalists were prepared to recommend the Convention on condition that it. fully and fairly represented Irishmen of all creeds. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. unionistslympathetic (Rec. May 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 17. ' The Ulster Unionists, in reply to Mr. Lloyd George, undertake to submit tho settlement of thn proposals to tho Ulster Unionist Councils for sympathetic con-sideration,--Renter. *