IRISH QUESTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 14 December 1921, Page 5

IRISH QUESTION

SIR J. CBAIO_AMD THE TREATS 1 |,()Yh GEORGE ACC-CSKD OF BREAKING JTEDGES (Hv Electric Telegraph Copyright,) (Australian and N'-Z- Cable Association.) "LONDON, Doe. 12. Sir .lames Craig, addressing the lister f-arl.ameut, said he had never prev.ous]v been confronted with such. a. complicated situation as the signature to the Tivafv between Britain and the Sum i-Vin "had created. "Wo wen, not included therein, but- were invited to si"ii it without going mto the details, (must confess the Treaty had not car).;,.,1 Mr Elovd Georges solemn pledges H i;l "t Lister's rights would not be prelluli(,,] ,„. sacrificed. "tie advised members, however strongly they felt on the subieet. noi, to act in any unconstitutional manner, leaving their interests in the bands of their representahves, the Imperial Parliament. Ihey felt principally two points, finance ami the boundary commission. Mr .lames Craig =aid ho "hoped the Lister people would maintain a dignified attitude, calm courage, and hopeful optimism, trusting to their leaders. Ulster was determined to stand bv her ideals, and would not swerve an'inch therefrom. 'lhey were only anxious to remain part and parcel of the British Empire DE YALKRA Mr de Talera, in a statement, said: "V have been asked whether the honour of Ireland is not involved in ratihication. Tin' honour of Ireland is not involved. The plenipotentiaries were sent on the distinct: understanding that any agreement, made was subject to the Dad Eireann's ratification and the country s, and could be rejected by the Dad Eireann or the country d it did not commend itself thereto. The British Parliament and people will on their side similarly consider thc agreement solely mil its merits. If they desire so to do, {be British Parliament and people can reject- it. Ratification is not a mere formality. The United Slates refused to ratifv the Treaty signed by President | Wilson." The honour of the nation is I not'involved unless and until the Treaty is ratified." i WHAT EFFEOTOX- THE UNION ! " JACK'/ (United Service) Dee. 12 Tho Dailv Mail asks, Is the Union, Jack and the incorporation of Dominion and other flags doomed as a result of the creation of the Irish Free State? This is a question the College of Heralds 'is considering. The paper points out that the removal of the Cross of Saint; Patrick after 120 years, will transform the appearance of the flag. It will, eertainlv become the Flag under which great victories were won in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but to! (most minds the sentimental loss will be ■■ great. Probably it will be found that deletion is not absolutely necessary. Other possible changes include the abolition of the title United Kingdom, removal of tho harp from tho Royal Standard and coat of arms, and the substitution of Ulster emblems. LORD ROBERT CECIL SUPPORTS TREATY LONDON. Dec. 12. Cord Robert Cecil, speaking at .flic ilitebiu Conservative Club, said tho Irish 'treaty was a very far reaching departure, and seemed almost the abolition of the. Union; but,he had personally come to the conclusion that a new Irish policy was inevitable. If was a thousand pities (lie concessions were not made until after a period of crime, as ihev exposed the British Government, to the" charge that they granted to violence, what they refused lo reason. It was a dangerous precedent. . Nevertheless, he was prepared to support the ■proposed settlement. There would be a, better chance of success if Ulster gave a helping band. "Our old Unionism has gone. Old parties seoin unreal. We i want new inspiration in polities." RELEASE OF SINN" FEIN PRISONERS LONDON, Dec. 13. Twenty-five convicted Sinn Fein prisoners-were released from Ylountjoy Prison. It is understood other releases of political offenders will be mado j shortly. The question is raised whether men convicted of murder and attempted murder will be also released. SIR J. CRAIG AND MR LLOYD GEORGE LONDON, Dee. 13. Sir John Craig announced in, the* Ulster Parliament that Mr Lloyd Georgo intimated that in consequence of Sir J. Craig's speech on Monday, he proposed to publish the whole of the correspondence in connection withHhc treaty tomorrow. TRIBUTE TO GENERAL SMUTS CAPETWON, Dee. 13. Mr Lloyd George, replying to General Smuts's congratulations on the Irish agreement, expresses gratitude for Genera! Smuts's counsel and co-opera-tion at a difficult moment, adding: "No one could help so effectively. I shall! always associate your name with our j success." i