DE VALERA'S REJECTION

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 40, 16 August 1921, Page 7

DE VALERA'S REJECTION

OPINIONS OF THE IRISH PRESS OFFER PUSHED TO EXTREMITY. (VK1I» PRIS9 ASBOCUTION.—COPIMSHt.) (AtfITIUtUH - NEW ZSAUKD CA»ll ASSOCIATION,) (Received August 16, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, 15th August. The Belfast Telegraph says: "The Government has been magnanimous to th« point of folly; .Ireland will be insane to the pbint of criminality if she rejects the terms. The Sinn Fein's proposals, if carried out, wonld mean immediate civil war." It describes the foreign arbitration proposal rtS an outrageous insult. The Northern Whig (Belfast) says the terms offered to the Sinn Feiners would bring about the disintegration of the Empire. "Britain's bitterest enemy could not ask for easier methods of bringing about her destruction' than what Mr. Lloyd George has offered. The way Mr. de Valera writes aboutC peace is sickening. Perhaps he imagines that if he murders a few hundred more policemen and soldiers, Mr. Lloyd George ■will grant him the right to secede; but a British Government that agreed to secession would have a short life." The paper adds: "The rebels may take what is offered, or compel the Government to undertake the reconquest of the West and South. The Government will undertake its duty reluctantly, but will discharge it completely and finally, or make way for a Government which will give more adequate expression to the will of the British people." The Irish Independent (Dublin) says: "It would be tragic if the negotiations were broken off. We still strongly hope there will be a satisfactory settlement. There are militarists who are anxious to prevent a peaceable settlement. They should not be allowed tohave their way. The prospect for Ireland is appalling if intensified warfare is resumed." The Cork Examiner says.:' "It must be borne in mind that the terms offered for Southern Ireland are infinitely better than what Ulster obtains under the Act of Partition,v.and there seems to be a possibility of making an even better settlement than that outlined."