MR LLOYD GEORGE'S FIRM REPLY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 15 August 1921, Page 8

MR LLOYD GEORGE'S FIRM REPLY.

IRELAND CANNOT SECEiDE. ANY, SETTLEMENT BY NORTH AND SOUTH ACCEPTABLE.

(Received August 15, 10.45 a.m.) - LONDON, August 14. Mr Lloyd George's reply to Mr De Valera refuses to continue theoretical discussion on the national status which Sinn Fein is willing to accept. Mr De Valera'a claim that Britain should acknowledge the right of Ireland to secede from her allegiance to the King can never be acknowledged. Ireland must recognise the force of geographical and historical facts. The Prime itinister states that he will gladly give an assurance that he will concur in any settlement that Southern and Northern Ireland may make for Irish unity. The proposals were made in the sincere desire to achieve peace, and beyond them Britain cannot go.