IRISH SITUATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 220, 15 August 1927, Page 2

IRISH SITUATION

LORD BIRKENHEAD’S STATEMENT.

(By Eloctric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

Received August 15, 1-20 p.ni. LONDON, Aug. 14. Interviewed by tire Daily Mail regarding the Irish situation,. Lord iJnkcnhea'd said -.—“ The problem is one primarily for solution by the common sense of the people and legislator of Southern Ireland. The principal value of the treaty is that the Irish Problems should be solved by Irishmen for Irishmen. It is all to the good that the members of the de \ alera I have decided to sit in the Dad. It was an ethical process of reasoning which enabled men of professed piety to take an oath in the name of God, vlnch they said, they did. not intend to keep. “A much more important matter is Mr Redmond’s expression of hope that the British Government might bo disposed to consider, perhaps accept, a modification of the oath. In mv colleague’s absence I speak only for myself but I stand explicitly by .tire drafted existing formula, and I would never have.‘signed the treaty if it had not contained this clause. I am confident tMt none of my fellow negotiators would have signed }f there had been no agreement oil this point. Nothing in the world would induce me to whittle it down or allow the. substance to be impaired.' It- is necessary also to make another matter plain. The oath is framed in consonance with the whole Imperial conception,, under which a number of self-governing com- | munities profess, and accept, loyalty | to the Monarch. —A. and N.Z. cable.