FUTURE OF IRELAND

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 20

FUTURE OF IRELAND

THE BOUNDARY DISPUTE. NEW CRISIS ARISES. LONDON, July 41. Following the Judicial Committee's interpretation of the Irish Treaty, opinion is general that the only way out of the deadlock is lor the Government to pass legislation itself appointing a Boundary Commission. The Daily Chronicle says that Cabinet considered the position and came to the conclusion that a most difficult situation had been created. It is understood that Ministers, in view of the fact that the present Government was not responsible for the treaty, decided that they ought to consult concerned. Accordingly they communicated with the signatories, and also with the leaders of the parties which were in office when the treaty was framed. It is understood that a conference with those will be held at Downing street immediately. In the meantime it is indicated that it will be necessary to prolong the sitting of Parliament tor a week, and possibly Mr Thomas may cancel his trip to South Africa. The Daily Telegraph says that the 'ound-the-table conference in connection ’ ntli the Treaty will be held at Downing fctreet this morning. Invitations have been issued to Mr Baldwin, Mr Asquith, ai..d the signatories, Mr Lloyd George, Me Austin Chamberlain, Lord Birkenhead, Mr Churchill, Sir L. Worthington-Evans, Sir Hamar Greenwood and Lord Hewart. The Daily Express states that the Government feels that faith must be kept with the Free State, and if a Bill is not brought forward immediately a serious position will arise in Southern Ireland, owing to the Republican activities and the failure of the tree State Government to hold its position. . The Morning Post’s correspondent learns that the Imperial Government has ordered the withdrawal of the British troops from Bellukfort in the disturbed area on the north-west border and argues chat this is ill-timed. Everyone knows that the days of the Ccsgrave Government are numbered, and the general expectation is that there will be a collapse of the free State constitution in the late autumn and the enthronement of republicanism. MOMENTOUS CONFERENCE. LONDON, August 1. The momentous round-the-table conference consisted of Mr MacDonald, Mr Clynes, Mr Thomas, Mr Baldwin, Mr Austen Ghamberlain, Lord Birkenhead, Sir Jj. Worthington-Evans, and Mr Lloyd George. Mr MacDonald made it plain that the Ministers had not the slightest intention to trap the leaders of the other parties Into a decision. The Government was ready to honour the British pledge to carry out the Treaty. He believed that Ik would be necessary to introduce lm-

mediately a Bill enabling the Boundary Commission to function and pass it before Parliament adjourned. GOVERNMENT’S CASE STATED. LONDON, August 1. Replying in the House of Commons to Mr iialdwin, Mr J. H. Thomas (Colonial Secretary), said that the report of the Judicial Committee was oresented to His Majesty yesterday. The report held that the refusal of the Government of Northern Ireland to appoint a member of the Boundary Commission was a contingency which had not been foreseen at the date of the passage of the Act of Parliament completing the treaty. If this refusal were maintained, there was no constitutional means under the existing statute for bringing the Commission into existence. The report, said Mr Thomas, raised grave issues. The British Government was bound in honour to secure the carry ing out of the undoubted intention of i wnen it ratmed the treaty. The Government earnestly hoped that the Government of Northern Ireland, even at this late stage, would appoint a Commissioner. If that hope was not fulfilled, the Government would forthwith introduce legislation to give effect to the undoubted intention of the treaty. It would press the passage of legislation regardless of the consequences to itself. Not merely the honour of the Government, but the honour of the country was involved in seeing that the obligations of tho treaty imposed on the United Kingdom were fulfilled in the spirit and in the letter. His colleagues and he himself were not prepared to omit any step necessary to place the good .aith of Parliament and the people beyond question. !Mr Lloyd George expressed great satisfaction at the Minister’s announcement. He said that he himself and all his colleagues would support the Government in the measures necessary to make it clear to the Empire and the world that the Government was not prepared t-o shuffle out of its bargain on a mere question of machinery. Colonel Ashley (Conservative) angrily asked if there was an honourable agreement with Ulster. Air Thomas answered : “There is nothing more disastrous to this issue than passion and feeling. ’ He said that at the request of Air MacDonald he had invited Mr Cosgrave and Sir James Craig to meet him in London. Mr Thomas said he still believed in the possibility of a peaceful settlement. Air Ronald ATNeill (Conservative) asked if Air Thomas realised that the Government's assumption that this was a mere drafting oversight was not universal and would be hotly contested. Air Thomas said he was convinced t-ha* any legislation on this question would be hotly contested, but it must not be forgotten that the treaty had been not merely ratified by Parliament, but endorsed at the General Election. Air Green (an Ulster member) aske whether the Alinister realised what it

meant to introduce legislation to override the option given to a self-governing State within the Empire. Mr Thomas said it was the function of the Commission to decide the boundary. A distinguished judge of unquestioned impartiality and knowledge (Mr Justice reetham) was now here with the concurrence of the South African Government. tie had vis ted Northern and Southern Ireland. It was not for the Government to interfere with the function imposed upon him by' statute. The legislation would not be introduced until after the meeting with Air Cosgrave and Sir James Craig. Captain Wedgwood Benn (Liberal) asked whether in the event of the introduction of legislation being necessary, it would be passed through all the stages before the recess. Air Thomas said he wanted nothing done that might hinder the possibility of a settlement. For him to make such an announcement would have this effect, out he emphasised the point that no step would be left untried to prove to the world conclusively before the rising of Parliament what the Government intended. FEELING IN FREE STATE. LONDON, August A. Air Desmond Fitzgerald (Alinister of External Affairs) in the Dail Ereann, read the statement made by Mr Thomas m the House of Commons on the Irish question. Air Johnson, the Labour leader, denounced the treachery of the British politicians, and declared that as the treaty had not been fulfilled they should re-make the Free State constitution at the earliest moment. Air Kevin O’Higgins (Alinister of Home Affairs) warned members against letting their feelings out-run their judgment. The treaty had not broken down. Mr Cosgrave and Lord Londonderry (Alinister of Education in Northern Ireland) will separately meet Air Thomas to-morrow, and later they will probably confer with Mr MacDonald. NEWSPAPER COMAI ENT. LONDON, August 1. The newspapers predict that Ireland will create another political crisis. They state that Liberal co-operation will enable the Government to carry in the House of Commons a Bill dealing with the Boundary Commission against Conservative opposition, but that the Lords will reject the Bill, upon which the Government will appeal to the country. The Conservatives realise the serious disadvantage at which they will be placed if the Liberal and Labour Parties co-operate in an election, thus eliminating the three-cornered contests. The Daily Express states: “Belfast and Ulster are alarmed at the latest turn of tho situation. Sir James Craig n 1921 declared that the Boundary Commission could not materialise, and it has taken the British Parliament three years to learn the correctness of that vieiv. Ulster is indignant at the proposal to

amend the treaty, which' was not permitted when Parliament passed the ratifying Act. Ulster is relying on the House of Lords and the House of Commons to fight against any tampering with ler territory. Failing everything else she is willing to spend her last man and last shilling in preserving what she regards as her sacred rights.” The Times, in a leading article, sajs: *‘Tbe 'iristh volcano, which has been smouldering for some time, is very near an eruption, which may spread ruin ,ar beyond the borders of Ireland.” It warns the Government against hasty legislation, which would naturally rouse fierce resentment in Northern Ireland should it mean at attempt to override her, and it adds -. “Time is required in which to judge th» best method to escape from a disastrous dilemma.” ANXIETY "In IRELAND. LONDON, August 2. Air Thomas's statement regarding Ireland has aroused the keenest anxiety in Ulster and the Free State. Several speakers in the Dail referred to the public forebodings that a tragedy is approaching, but Air O’Higgins deprecated the tendency to wax turbulent at short notice. He declared : “This is no case for sudden decisions, or jumping to conclusions which the facts do not justify.” The Dail lias adjourned till August 12. The Ulster Association has issued a statement that Ulster has already made great sacrifices of territory under the Act of 1920, and pointing out that James Craig has repeatedly intimated his willingness to negotiate with representatives of the Free State on a mutual oasis. Tho statement concludes: “Without defining the terms of reference for the Commission, Mr MacDonald is asking Ulster to take a leap in the dark.” Mr Cosgrave arrived in London and immediately conferred with Air Thomas and Air MacDonald. Lord Londonderry and Colonel Spender subsequently joined the conference. SEEKING ~A SOLUTION. LONDON, August 2. The Daily Express says it is understood that Air Baldwin, Lord Birkenhead and Mr Austin Chamberlain are now agreed on their policy regarding the boundary question. They consider that Ulster’s position could be safeguarded by limiting the powers of the Commission to the simple rectification of the frontier. The Daily Telegraph also hints at an attempt to reach a solution on these lines. CONFERENCE FAILS. LONDON, August 2. The Irish conference broke up without arranging a future meeting. The proceedings were most secret, out it is believed that the members failed to agree. Consequently the Government will proceed with its legislation.