The Dominion SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1924. ANOTHER CRISIS IN IRELAND

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 264, 2 August 1924, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 1924. ANOTHER CRISIS IN IRELAND

In predicting that the Free State Constitution will collapse in the, late autumn —that is to say, in a month or two —and that Republicanism will then be “enthroned” in Southern Ireland, a correspondent of the London Morning Post is perhaps unduly pessimistic. A state of serious tension undoubtedly has arisen, however, out of the dispute between Ulster and the Free State in regard to the boundary separating their respective territories. The position will not be eased by the reported decision eff the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council that the Boundary Commission provided for in the Articles of Agreement of December, 1921, cannot legally be constituted without an Ulster representative. These Articles of Agreement, commonly referred to as the Irish Treaty, left the boundary question in a state which did not favour its ultimate settlement. It was laid down that Ulster should have the right, within a month of the passage of an Act of Parliament ratifying the Articles of Agreement, to decline to be included in the Free State, but the following important reservation was made: — Provided that if such an address [declining inclusion] is so presented a Commission consisting of three persons, one to be appointed by the Government of the Irish Free State, one to be appointed by the Government of Northern Ireland, and one who shall be chairman, to be appointed by the British Government, shall determine, in accordance with the wishes of the inhabitants, so far as may be compatible with economic and geographic conditions, the boundaries between Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland. . . . Ulster decided to maintain its separate identity, but in doing so has maintained consistently that it was not consulted when the Treaty provisions relating to the boundary were framed, and is not bound by these provisions. In keeping with this attitude, Ulster has declined to appoint a representative on the Boundary. Commission. Since the Treaty was ratified, and particularly during the past twelve mouths, the Free State Government, on the other hand, has persistently urged the British Government to set up the Boundary Commission. In long-continued negotiations nothing has been done to break the deadlock. At times hopes have been raised that the two Irish Governments might reach an agreement involving only minor adjustments of the boundary, but it now appears that these hopes were illusory. The Free State Government, as matters stand, is insisting upon the appointment of a Commission which have unfettered discretion in adjusting the boundary. lhe Ulster Government refuses to consider any material reduction of its present territory. . _ , The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, strengthened for the occasion by the inclusion of several Dominion Judges, was asked to determine whether, under the Articles of Agreement, the Boundary Commission could be set up in spite of Ulsters refusal to appoint a representative. The decision of the Judicial Committee has not been reported officially at time of writing, but all of the latest news is consistent with the anticipatory report which stated that the decision would be that the Boundary Commission could not legally be constituted without an 1 Ulster representative. To-day’s news indicates that the British Government was at first inclined to insist upon the immediate passage of legislation authorising it to proceed with the constitution of the Loundaiy Commission in spite of Ulster’s refusal to appoint a representative, and as an alternative to go to the country. Finding its legislative proposals opposed by both Liberal and Conservative leaders, however, the Government, as reports stand, has decided to postpone decisive action until the autumn. Whether the Liberals are prepared ultimately to support legislation on the lines proposed by the Government is not clearly indicated. The Morning Post is quoted as affirming that Mr. Lloyd George went so far as to say that he would join the Government in fighting the question at a general election if necessary but this is perhaps a speculative opinion. It will be remembered in any case that when Mr. Lloyd George was in office he declared repeatedly that there must be no coercion of Ulstei. Meantime, further efforts are to be made to promote a settlement by agreement. It cannot be said that the. outlook is particularly hopeful. The British Prime Minister, it is stated, will make a last appeal to Ulster to nominate a representative on the Boundary Commission, “as an act of generosity in the interests of the Empire.” The view is strongly held in Ulster, however, that the interests of the Empire .will be served best by maintaining the territory of the six counties intact. In the Free State, delays in settling, the boundary question admittedly play into the hands of Republican extremists,, but this state of affairs evidently is calculated, if anything, to strengthen Ulster in her present determination. It seems rather unlikely that legation on the lines proposed bv the British Labour Government would command the support of a majority in the House of Commons. The root difficulty is that the Articles of Agreement of 1921 rather set aside the boundary question than provided in any practical way for its ultimate settlement It is only too clear that unless a settlement is reached in negotiation the Irish problem is likely to revive in very serious shape.