IRISH CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 298, 10 September 1921, Page 7

IRISH CRISIS

CABINET’S ANSWER TO MR. DE VALERA FULLEST FREEDOM WITHIN EMPIRE OFFERED DEFINITE REPLY ASKED FOR The British Cabinet asks for a definite statement from Mr. do Valera whether he is prepared to enter into a conference to ascertain how the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Empire can be best reconciled with Irish national aspirations. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, September 8. Cabinet’s answer to Mr. do Valera’s message is short. Mr. Lloyd George says :— "I have to make the following observations on your letter of August 30. The principle of government by consent of the governed is the foundation of British constitutional development; but we cannot accept as a basis for a practical conference an interpretation of that principle which would commit us to any demands you might present, even to the extent of setting up a Republic and repudiating tho Crown. You must be aware that a conference on such a basis is impossible. So applied, the principle would undermine the fabric of every democratic State, and drive the civilised world back to tribalism. On the other hand, we have invited you to discuss our proposals on their merits, in order that you should have no doubt regarding the scope and sincerity of our intentions. “It will be open to you at such conference to raise tho subject of guarantees on any point you may consider Irish freedom prejudiceci. Tho Government is loath to believe that you insist on rejecting these proposals without examining them at a conference. To decline to discuss u settlement which will beetow on Ireland the fullest freedom in national development within the Empire can only mean that you repudiate all allegiance to the Crown, all membership in tho British Commonwealth. If we werovto draw this inference from your letter then further discussion between us would serve, no useful purpose at all, and a conference would be in vain. "If, however, we mistake this inference, and your real objection is that our proposals offer Ireland less than the liberty we described, that objection, can be exploded at the conference. You will agree that this correspondence has lasted long enough. The Government must ask for a definite reply, whether you are prepared to enter into a conference, to ascertain how the association of Ireland with the community of nations, known as the British Empire, can be best reconciled with Irish national aspirations. If, an we hope, your answer is in the affirmative, we suggest that tho conference meet at Inverness on September 20.” —Aus.N.Z. Gabler Assn. EXCELLENT IMPRESSION IN SOUTH IRELAND DAIL EIREANN TO BE SUMMONED. London, September 8. The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent at Dublin states that the Cabinet’s invitation to a conference has created an. excellent impression in Dublin and the South of Ireland. While tho exchange of Notes continued, progress was impossible. The temptation to score in debating points blinded Irishmen to tho vital issue. The Dail Eireann will be immediately summoned to consider the letter. The public is confident that the difficulties will be surmounted, even if it is necessary to appeal to the country for a decision; —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WORSE THAN BLOODSHED

DISRUPTION OF LIVING POLITICAL ORGANISM. (Rec. September 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 9. Mr. Lloyd George, replying to the Trado Union Congress message regarding Ireland, says: “No one is more opposed than the Government to bloodshed, most of all to fratricidal war between citizens of the same Empire, but I have the authority of the greatest democratic statesman in history for tho belief that even bloodshed is better than disruption of tho living political organism, whose strength and unity are essential to tho freedom of the world.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WHAT SEPARATION WOULD MEAN IRISHMEN WOULD BE FOREIGNERS IN THE EMPIRE. (Rec. September 10, 1.5 a.m.) ’ • London, September 9.

Sir Conan Doyle in a letter suggests that men and women of Irish extraction ■who have been supporters of Home Rulo but do not wish to ho made foreigners in tho British Empire should petition Mr. de Valera. He says he doos rot think Irishmen realise that separation would make them foreigners in the Empire which Irish soldiers and colonists helped to build. Their status in Australia and India would be the same as Russians or Slovaks. "I am sure many of us who are of. Irish extraction and supported Home Rule view such a position with horror," he added. —"The Times.” LORD NORTHCLIFFE’S VIEWS REPUBLIC NOT TOLERATED BY PEOPLE AT HOME. (Rec. September 9, 7.30 p.m.) > Sydney, September 1 Lord Northcliffe, referring to the Irish position, declared that ho could say without reservation that if the setting up of an Irish republic within thirteen miles of Scotland and sixty miles of Wales was intended, no such republic would Ire tolerated by the people at Home or those he had met oversea.—Press Assn. HIBERNIANJANK robbed (Rec. September 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 9. Four men motored to the Hibernian Bank, Kingsoourt, Cavan, whipped out revolvers, ordered the manager and two clerics to put up their hands, seized £l5OO in cash and notes, and put them into a waste-paper basket, thence Io a motorcar, and drove away.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.