IRISH PROBLEM.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 1977, 19 November 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

CONFERENCE RESUMED. TO CONSIDER ULSTER. A GRAVE SITUATION. [By Electric Cable—Copyright] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Friday, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 17. Mr Lloyd George, who has been resting at Bournemouth, decided, after receiving Ulster's reply, to return to London forthwith. The Irish Conference will probably meet to-morrow, to consider Ulster’s reply. Political circles gravely view the situation created by Ulster’s reply.It is stated On high authority that If Mr Lloyd George fails to find a way out of the impasse, he will appeal to the country. the ulster reply. (Received Friday, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 17. Ulster’s reply was delivered to Downing Street this afternoon. It is authoritatively learned that the Northern Cabinet has again demanded the publication of correspondence, and has expressed its unwillingness to enter any conversations unless certain conditions in Mr Lloyd Qeorge’s invitation are not enforced. CONDITIONS IN IRELAND. LONDON, November 17. At the Unionist Conference at Liverpool a deputation of Southern Irish Unionists submitted a statement of the condition of affairs in Southern Ireland. Lord Farnham declared that during the so-called truce they had gone through a real reign of terror, and many loyalists had been foully murdered by the Empire’s enemies. The people with whom the Government was conferring did not represent the people of Southern Ireland. The rea. aijtn of Sinn Fein was to establish a workers’ republic on Soviet lines. Another speaker said that Sinn Fein did not hide the fact that they intended to attack Ulster. The conference proceeded to discuss resolutions dealing with Ireland. Three out of the four resolutions constituting a furious attack on the Government were withdrawn, .leaving a milder one by Colonel J. Gretton for discussion. This condemned crime in Ireland, and urged that no settlement would be acceptable that does not safeguard Ulster’s position and protect the loyalists elsewhere. Colonel Gretton denied that if the resolution was carried it would split the party. He said that should the negotiations with the party break down, the Conservatives should leave the Coalition and establish a Government. (Mingled cheers, dissent and uproar.) UNIONIST STATEMENT. LONDON, November 16. It is stated on the highest Unionist authority that the Unionist members of Cabinet are hopeful of achieving an Irish settlement, despite the apparent great difficulties, provided thty are not exposed to premature interference or compelled to make premature disclosures during the most delicate negotiations. The Unionists in the country may be assured that their leaders will insist on complete security, not merely for the Empire, but for Ulster. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S LETTER. HIS SUGGESTIONS AMAZING. (Received Friday, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 17. Mr Barrie, vice-president of the Irish Department of Agriculture, has written to Sir Hamar Greenwood, stating that he was amazed at the extraordinary suggestions with reference to Ulster underlying Mr Chamberlain’s letter. If the Government’s proposals In any way weakened Ulster's position as established under the Act of 1920 it must resign.

DIEHARD S "UNSUPPORTED. ULSTER RESPONSIBLE FOR ANT WAR. (Received Friday, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, November 18. The Conference of Unionists, which adopted Sir Archibald Salvidge s amendment by 1900 votes to 70, demonstrates that the "Diehards” are unsupported in their attempt to make Ulster a barrier in the way of peace. Messrs Lloyd George and Bonar Law were notable absentees. The former explained that it was unusual for the Prime Minister to attend a party conference. Mr Bonar Law’s absence la less accountable for and It Is assumed in some quarters as an indication that, while he will not take definite sides against Ulster, he will not take the responsibility of joining the ‘‘Diehards." Mr Chamberlain’s considered reiteration of the pledges to Ulster leaves Sir James Craig’s attitude more obscure than ever. There Is a arrowing • conviction that whatever steps are necessary against Sinn Fein hereafter, Ulster in the case of war will have a grave share of responsibility. At the same time Sir James Craig's demand for publicity, which has apparently been rejected by Mr Lloyd George, disturbs the public feelings. UNIONIST CONFERENCE. (Received Friday, 5.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 17. At the Liverpool Conference Lord Middleton said that the Sinn Fein resistance had increased 500 per cent, since the truce, and it now required threefold the present garrison in Ireland to resist It. (Cries of “Nonsense!”) Mr Ronald McNiell said there was one thing Ulster would not accept, and that was one Parliament for all Ireland. Sir Worthington Evans has pledged himself not to agree to any settlement that does not preserve the supremacy of the Crown, and does not keep Ireland within the Empire. That does not ensure that the navy shall guard all the shores of the Kingdom, that does not make Ireland pay her share of war debt. There must not be a settlement that requires coercion of Ulster or that Ulster be placed under a dual Parliament against her will. Sir Archibald Salvidge tabled an amendment expressing the hope that, consistent with the supremacy of the Crown, and the security of the Empire and the pledges safeguarding Ulster and the Interests of the minority in the South of Ireland, a solution of the Irish difficulty might be found by the present Confwpnce In London, ThQ

amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority.

PLEA FOB PATIENCE. (Received Friday, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, November 18. Mr Arthur Chamberlain, speaking at a Liverpool Unionist meeting, pleaded for patience. “Give us a little time,” he said. ‘‘We don’t ask much. The story will be told to you, and you shall judge whether we have kept faith or broken our trust. We hear a lot about the “diehards,” but if they wait until they know, there will be no spilt in the Unionist party. If peace cannot be had with honour, and without broken pledges, there cannot be peace. No Government of which Mr Lloyd George ia a member will coerce Ulster. Sometimes there comes a moment when a great act of faith could achieve a miracle, which statesmanship alone could not accomplish. Such a moment is passing now.” SIR JAMES CRAIG TRUCULENT, (Received Friday, 10.25 p.m.) LONDON, November 18. Sir James Craig threatens that if his appeal for publicity fails, he will publish the correspondence without Mr Lloyd George’s approval. The “Irish Bulletin" last night indicated the precise point of difference between Ulster and Sinn Foln. It pointed out that the latter offered Ulster local government commensurate with its particular needs, besides an honoured part in the National Government. The Unionists had declined, insisting on the safeguards which would give them equal representation, with a majority in the central governing body. Meanwhile, no further meetings have been arranged between the negotiating parties. This, with the fact of Sir James Craig’s pending visit to France, and then his immediate return to Ireland, causes the gravest suspense. It is regarded as especially significant that Sir James Craig did not( wait for the result of the Liverpool Unionist Conference before delivering his reply to Cabinet’s last communication. The general election chatter was resumed after the Conference with more than a suggestion that Mr Lloyd George would now appeal confidently to the country for a mandate to deal with Ireland as a whole, in the manner best calculated to serve the Empire as a whole. The result of the Conference has aroused bitterness in Belfast, where the verdict is thoroughly understood. The “Morning Post’s” correspondent says that Ulster is preparing to hold the north-east corner of Ireland immune irom the growing ascendancy of the Sinn Fein. The Liverpool decision will freshly stimulate the recruiting in Ulster, of the Imperial Guards, the strength of which in Belfast is now 21,000,