IRISH BOUNDARY QUESTION ANSWERED FOR ALL TIME

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2314, 5 December 1925, Page 9

IRISH BOUNDARY QUESTION ANSWERED FOR ALL TIME

TRIANGULAR CONFERENCE COMES TO COMPLETE AGREEMENT COSGRAVE’S GOOD BARGAIN AT BRITISH [By Electric Cable —Copyright] (Recoived ,I' i i; Events in connection wimtlie TitSlmj course foreshadowed yesterday, following Cabinet’s decision drastically to reduce the Free State financial obligations. The terms were finally settled at a triangular conference at the Treasury, lasting for four hours. These were speedily incorporated in the agreement, which was signed and announced later in the Commons. The news spread like wildfire and the half-empty benches were filled. Mr Baldwin’s opening announcement of the actual signature aroused a storm of cheering, which was repeated when he alluded to the spirit of neighbourly comradeship which made the agreement possible. Mr Runciman was sure the statement would be heard with relief and pleasure by the whole ( English speakingworld. The Free Staters hurriedly dined at the House of Commons with Sir Jas. Craig and the British Ministers, and departed immediately for Dublin. In the meantime, Mr Cosgrave telegraphed to the “Irish Times’’: “We are bringing back an instrument solemnly executed by friendship. This agreement, if accepted in the spirit in which it was negotiated and signed, provides the basis for a sure and lasting peace. We confidently recommend it to the Irish people.” It was eleven o’clock before the text was known in Dublin. The Exchange Agency’s Dublin correspondent says it is generally agreed Mr Cosgrave has made a good bargain in securing the cancellation of financial liabilities, but the agreement will be strongly opposed in some quarters, and the Government will have to fight to secure its ratification. Opinion in London has not yet been fully expressed. A number 'of papers do not comment editorially, but the news columns indicate general approval. They stress the fact that Dish questions have now become a matter for Irishmen to settle among themselves. SOME PRESS OPINIONS. POPULAR SPORT OF CODDING THE ENGLISHMAN. (Received Friday 8.15 p.m) LONDON, December 4. The “Daily Chronicle’s” poltical correspondent , states that at a rough calculation, the Free State is excused paying to Britain about five millions annual interest on an obligation of about one hundred millions. The “Daily News” editorially states that the settlement is the best way out of the difficulty. The time is no-w ripe for Dublin and Belfast courageously to face their mutual problems. The “Daily Express” states that the settlement may not bring relief to the British taxpayer, but prospect of the stabilisation and pacification of Ireland is well worth the disappearance of any crock of gold at the foot of any Irish rainbow. The “Daily Mail” states: “The popular sport of codding the Englishman is nowhere carried to such high perfection as in Dublin. It has been practised in this case with singular success. The Englishman is always made to pay everybody, but nobody troubles to pay him.” Other press comments on the Irish settlement are divided, ranging frojn complete approval to condemnation of the policy of throwing on the British taxpayer a burden estimated at twenty-five million sterling. AFTER THREE DAYS DEBATE. TRIUStPHAN'i? DISPATCH TO DUBLIN. (Received Friday 7 p.m.) i r LONDON, December 3. Mr Churchill in a statement on the Irish settlement, said: “Complete agreement has been reached after three day’s continuous conference, including the Boundary Commissioners, -whom Britain desires deeply to thank for their services in the cause of Irish peace and unity. The Commission’s report will not be published, inasmuch as the agreement which has supervened is much more satisfactory than any arbitration, however, excellent and admirable in itself. lam glad that to-night, for the first time ,there is a complete triple agreement between Britain, the Free ‘State and Ulster, absolutely settling the boundary question, which has hung over us and which prevented a settlement, on the eve of the war, at the Buckingham Palace conference, and which threatened to embroil Britain in strife and confusion eighteen months ago. “The settlement must be regarded as an immense advance in the steady process of reconciliation, appeasement and consolidation since the Irish Treaty was signed. Messrs Baldwin and Churchill, Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, Lord Birkenhead and Mr M. S. Amery signed on behalf of Britain, Messrs Cosgrave, O’Higgins, Blythe and O’Byrne for the Free State, and Sir Jas. Craig and Mr 0. H. Blackroore for Ulster. Sir Jas. Craig issued a statement: “I desire to thank the Ulster people for their restraint and patience during a long period of anxiety and suspense. lam fully satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations. The signatories separated to-night with a cordiality which, I sincerely trust, will result in more friendly relations being permanently, maintained among all classes and creeds throughout Ireland. lam returning to Ireland to- , morrow with nothing but relief that statesmanship has succeeded in surmounting a grave situation.”