EXTRA EDITION. IRELAND

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 17 October 1921, Page 7

EXTRA EDITION. IRELAND

THE CONFERENCE

POWERS OF SINN FEIN DELEGATES. ■BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCJATIOS-COPYBIGHT Received Oct. 17, 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 16. Mr. Stephen Gwynn. writes to the 'Observer thai he is not sure that the Dail-Eireann delegates can, consistently "with their position, accept any terms •the British Government can offer, even *>n the broad lines laid down by Vis- ! count Grey. The delegates themselves cannot be sure either, but the Irish people can accept or reject, exercising" the right of self-determination. "From the standpoint of one desiring a settlement within the British Empire, 1 hold that the Dail Eireann should neither I

accept nor reject without a .referendum ■of the people. If the people chose the Alternative—meaning war—l would re«ognue that it was a deliberate choice. I nave not felt this regarding the socalled war of the past two years, nor should I feel it now if the Dail Eireann, elected as it has been, committed us to a renewal of hostilities. The British <2overnnient, by its course of action, has made it easy for the Dail Eireann to get what answer it will from the people. : Nevertheless, for that answer Ireland is fully responsible. Even if the result be produced by intimidation, the responsibility cannot be evaded by those submitting to the intimidation.