NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 15

NEWS BY CA BLE.

•elfish person wishing to encroach upon the tights of the property and the freedom of his neighbour. That was the fundamental problem to be settled. There could never be a question of secession from England because there never was Union. They had no enmity against the North; in fact, they were prepared to make sacrifices for the North that they would never make for Great Britain. Ireland could not accept the terms which had been offered. Mr De Valera, speaking in the Bail Eireann, said that they meant to arm themselves to the utmost of their power. Great causes had to give way to force. If they 1 lad to do so thev would do it boldly and would not seek to save their faces. Mr De Valera concluded ; “'The Irish people will not flinch now because more arms are hying sent for.’ SENSATIONAL SHOOTING INCIDENT. LONDON, August 16. A sensational outbreak of shooting occurred at Coal Island village, in County Tyrone. A band which was returning from a fete played national airs, and was fired on by men concealed in a house. One man was killed and one wounded. VOLUNTEERS ARREST DETECTIVES. LONDON, August 17. A sensational incident occurred outside the Mansion House, Dublin, when Irish ▼olunteers arrested a police detective and

two members of the Irish Constabulary detectives who were watching the arrivals. The volunteers blindfolded the detectives, and later handed them over to the Dublin police. j AMERICA’S MONETARY HELP. LONDON. August 17. f Mr Michael Collins, Sirin Fein Minister of Finance, reported to the Dail Eireann that the credit balance was £1,000,000. The Dail liireann carried a resolution expressing thanks to America for monetary help. I AMERICAN PRESS VIEWS. NEW YORK, August 18. f American newspaper editorial opinion appears to have ranged itself, with the fewest exceptions, whole-heartedly on the side of Mr Lloyd George and the British Government in connection with the Irish controversy. The attitude taken is that Mr De Valera would be best advised to accept the British offer, which promises happiness for the Irish people, if not the extremists’ objective. The New York 'lirncs says: “If the terms are rejected outright the general verdict will he that the Irish have shown themselves unreasonable and impossible. It would be hazardous for Mr De Valera to attempt political tricks with the most adroit and most resourceful politician of his day. Mr Lloyd George might seize eagerly upon the occasion to bring on the general elections in which the issue would be the keeping of Ireland in the

Empire. He would emerge stronger than ever politically, and the Sinn Fein would be more isolated and more helpless. It is to be hoped that Mr De Valera’s more sagacious advisers will impress this fact upon him in these critical days.” The Chicago Tribune says : “We believe a trial of the dominion system of Government would prove satisfactory, and under that system the Irish people would find themselves finally tree, prosperous, and happy, with a new era of real national life and expression opened to them. They might not have attained their extreme objective, but nevertheless what they gained should completely satisfy the people who fought bravely, patiently, and successfully for it.” The New York World says: ‘‘Mr De Valera and the Sinn Fein will do well to bargain in a conciliatory spirit for still more favourable terms. . Time is on the side of Southern Ireland. If it will at once establish a dominion form of government for itself it will surely accomplish what coercion cannot do, by uniting the Irish people under one Government of their own creation.” The New York Tribune says: “If members of the Dail Eireann are as interested ■'as they are said to be in American opinion concerning the latest phases of the Irish question, it should not be difficult for them to arrive at fairly accurate conclusions. The evidence is clear that the great mass of Americans, including a large majority of those of Trish extraction, believe that the present opportunity to settle matters should be seized, and

that the British offer embodies about all that can bo expected at this time.” The Toronto Globe says : “The measure of Home Rule offered would enable Irishmen to live their own lives, to be governed according to Irish ideas, and t have the bulk of public business transacted by Irishmen. The hand of the British Government would seldom hi felt.” REPUDIATED BY SINN FEIN. LONDON, August 17. Mr De Valera’s declaration that he would not accept the terms was greeted with prolonged cheers from the crowd gathered at the Mansion House, although the Republican Volunteers controlling the assemblage had ordered that there be no applause. After members entered, Mr De Valera commenced speaking in Trish, but relapsed into English, explaining that he was speaking to the whole country when silence was restored. After his declaration Mr De Valera Quoted the Indian proverb, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Ireland, he said, was not going to be fooled again. Commenting on the so-called offer of dominion Home Rule, Mr De Valera said that the co-operation of the British dominions was free. British statesmen admitted that it was free. They said as proof that it was free that the dominions could get out if they wanted to. They did not choose to get out. Ireland was told the must stay in whether she wanted to or not. Ireland did not claim that she would fight to secede. There never could be a question of secession of Ireland because she never had been in nuion with Britain. If there had been a union it was severed at Dublin on January 21, 1919. DEFERRING THE PROROGATION. LONDON, August 18. In view of the position of the Irish question the Government has decided to defer the prorogation of Parliament until October 18, but will adjourn to-morrow, the Speaker having power to summon Parliament to meet at short notice. PROTEST BY CONSERVATIVES. LONDON, August 19. At a meeting of a number of Conservative members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, including Lord Ampthill, Lord Selborne, Lord Sydenham, the Duke of Northumberland, Lord Salisbury, Brigadier-General H. Page Croft, and Sir Frederick Banbury, adopted a resolution profoundly dissenting from the far-reaching offer which the Government made to Mr De,Valera, including the maintenance of a Sinn Fein army. The offer was described as a complete reversal of the decisions of Parliament as embodied in the Act which was passed only in December last. IRISH PRESS CRITICISM. LONDON, August 18. Commenting on Mr De Valera’s speech on Wednesday, the Irish Times say T s: “We take into account the human nature of the Sinn Feiners. As in the case of Irish Unionists, we do not question the Dail Eireann’s patriotism or readiness to make sacrifices, and we hope that its patriotism may be informed with wisdom, and will not require the Irish people to make immense sacrifices to no useful end. Mr De Valera’s speech suggests that a deadlock is reached. If so, the time has arrived to refer the Government’s offer to the Irish people, who are entitled to be consulted in ary extremity concerning the life and peace of every man, woman, and child.” The Irish Independent rejoices that Mr De Valera’s statement reveals no suggestion that the negotiations are likely to be terminated. DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTION. OTTAWA, August 18. The Montreal Gazette, commenting on the Irish situation, says : “If the Sinn Fein insists upon separation from the Crown and the establishment of a Republic, there is grave danger of a revival of civil war on an extended scale. Why should not the status of Canada, Australia, and South Africa content Irishmen?” NEW YORK, August 18. The Boston Herald says : “It is the prayer of all fo the powers of goodwill in the world that out of the troubled valley of indecision there shall come a popular verdict for the establishment of Anglo-Irish fraternity from generation to generation.” lire Atlanta Constitution says : “Great Britain has gone far more than half-way toward a common objective which is the basis of conciliation between the Irish am the Crown. It lias gone much further than the world expected. It is inconceivable that with such a proposal Ireland will shut the door and hazard the certain and disastrous consequences of rejection.” The St. Louis Globe Democrat says : “The task of Mr De Valera and’ his associates is now to obtain the utmost liberty of action possible for Ireland under the dominion plan and then to refer it to the whole body of citizenship with whom alone the final decision must rest.” BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S FINAL OFF FR. LIMIT OF CONCESSIONS REACHED. WARNING TO PARLIAMENT. LONDON, August 20. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George said he could say nothing at this stage on the Irish situation. There was always the danger that a word might he used which was capable of being misunderstood or misrepresented. A i 1 the Government had to say had been said in his two letters to Mr De Valera. The Government had laid all its cards on the table. He had heard no suggestion from

any quarter of . the world that the proposals had not gone to the limits of possible concessions. While negotiations remained open with regard to details the outline of the terms could not be altered, nor the basis changed. If an agreement were reached a Bill would immediately he submitted to Parliament, but they were bound to provide for the possibility of rejection. If that misfortune betel them they were faced with a graver situation than had ever before risen. Rejection would mean a challenge to the authority of the Crown and the unity of the Empire. The steps which then ought to be taken ought not t-o be taken without consulting Parliament, and he would summon Parliament at 48 hours’ notice. The Government reserved the right to take any emergency measures necessary before Parliament met. He hoped, in spite of the disquieting statements, that reason would prevail, and that the Irish leaders would not reject the largest measure of freedom ever offered to Ireland, or take the responsibility of renewing a conflict which would be robbed of all it 3 glory by its overshadowing horror. Mr Asquith said that the Government proposals entirety commended themselves to him. Mr J. 11. Thomas (Labour) declared that they had reached a stage where the Irish question ceased to be a party question. Mr J. Gretton (Unionist) protested that the Government had gone far beyond the authority conferred on it at the last election. Lord Curzon made a statement in the House of Lords on similar lines to that of Mr Lloyd George. No one could deny that the proposals were broad and liberal, and a notable concession for a proud country to make. It was difficult to believe that any body of responsible men could reject a dominion status. They would be sacrificing the fruit in order to obtain the rind. Separation would infallibly mean the political and economic ruin of Ireland. If a challenge were given, the Government would accept it and not quail before, the difficult task. Lord Crewe said that the notion of a separate Irish Republic could not be considered. It would be wrong to despair of a favourable issue. Lord Salisbury said the Government had misled the people, and the action, they had taken had been forced upon them by a band of assassins, while murderers and assassins had been received at Downing street. Lord Midleton declared that nothing more dangerous for the future of Ireland could be conceived than both Parliaments in the North and South raising armies. Viscount Birkenhead (Lord Chancellor) said it would be disastrous if it were not plainly realised by those to whom the offer was addressed that this offer was the Government’s last word in the direction of concession and compromise. If the negotiations failed they would find themselves committed to hostilities upon a scale never heretofore undertaken by this country against Ireland. PARLIAMENT ONLY ADJOURNED. LONDON, August 20. Tlie King held a Privy Council meeting at Bolton Abbey at 2 o’clock this morning in order to arrange the suddenly arrived at decision to adjourn instead of prorogue Parliament. DAIL EIREANN’S REPLY. IN COURSE OF PREPARATION. LONDON, August 20. Mr De Valera and several of his colleagues, members of a house party, are spending the week-end on the outskirts of Dublin drafting the Dail Eireann’s reply to the British offer, which will be submitted to the Mansion House conference on Monday and discussed at a private session. It is considered that the reply will be read in public on Tuesday or Wednesday for formal approval, and then sent to London. REFERENDUM ANTICIPATED. LONDON, August 20. Mr Lloyd George has appointed Cabinet to act in an advisory capacity to Sir Ilamar Greenwood in any emergency. It is believed that the Dail Eireann’s reply will ark for definitions and guarantees to enable a clear issue to be put before the Irish people, who xvill he asked to decide by a referendum. OPTIMISM IN DUBLIN. LONDON, August 21. The newspapers publish conflicting reports regarding the prospects of an Irish settlement. The Sunday Times’s political correspondent states that Downing street regards the outlook as distinctly unfavourable, believing that the Dail Eireann’s pronouncement will echo Mr De Valera’s defiance. It is believed that Mr De Valera-, Mr Griffiths, and Mr Collins would accept a dominion status, but will not recommend it to their followers for fear of incurring the reproach that they are betraying the Irish ideals. The same paper's Dublin correspondent says that optimism prevails in Dublin regarding a settlement, ns Mr Lloyd George’s speech at the rising of Parliament indicates a genuine desire for peace and willingness to go far in the negotiations on details. Further, tremendous pressure is being exerted on the Irish leaders from the Irish in America and the dominions to accept an honourable settlement. The leaders are daily receiving dozens of cablegrams warning them that they will alienate public opinion throughout the world if they adopt an unreasonable attitude. IMPRESSED BY THE SITUATION. LONDON, August 20. The Dublin newspapers are impressed with the new situation arising out of Mr Lloyd George’s speech. The Irish Independent says : “Though Mr Lloyd George affirms that the basis of his terms cannot be altered, he admits