IRISH SITUATION

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 61, 9 September 1921, Page 8

IRISH SITUATION

LLOYD GEORGE'S REPLY TO DE VALERA

GOVERNMENT SINCERE IN INTENTIONS

A DEFINITE STATEMENT ASKED FOR.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIfIHI.) (ADINtAUAH - NEW ZZAT.AND CABLZ ASSOCIATION.) (Received September 9, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Bth September. Cabinet's answer to Mr. de |Valera's message is short. Mr. Lloyd George says':— I have to make the following observations on your let- ■ ter of 30th August. The principle of government by consent of ' the governed is tne foundation of British constitutional development; but we cannot accept as a basis for 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 the Crown. You must be aware, that a conference on such a basi^ 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 oon- ■> ference to raise tho subject of guarantees on any point you may ■ consider Irish freedom prejudiced. The Government is loathe to believe that you insist on rejecting these proposals without examining them "at a conferenoe. To decline to discuss a settle- ■ ment which will bestow on Ireland the fuUest freedom in national develop- | ment within the Empire can only . mean that you repudiate all allegiance to the Crown, all membership m the British1 Commonwealth. If we were to draw this inference from your letter then further discussion between us would serve ho useful purpose at all, 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 d'efi-, nite 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 w^th Irish national aspirations'. If, as we hope, your answer is in the affirmative, we suggest that the conference meet at Inverness on the 20th.