THE IRISH BOUNDARIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3743, 8 December 1925, Page 33

THE IRISH BOUNDARIES

A SETTLEMENT REACHED. LONDON, December 3. The Irish boundary agreement has been signed. The boundary remains unchanged. Mr Baldwin, in a statement to the House of Commons, said that the terms of the Irish settlement were that the powers of the Boundary Commission were revoked. The Free State was relieved of liability under Clause V of the treaty, but Britain’s liability was assumed for malicious damage done since January 1, 1919. The Free State and Ulster Governments had agreed to confer on matters of common interest, the agreements reached to be subject to Britain's confirmation. The Imperial Parliament would pass the necessary legislation at the earliest possible date. The free State Government undertook to legislate increasing by 10 per cent, the compensation for malicious dainag« within its territory.

COMPLETE TRIPLE AGREEMENT. LONDON, December 3.

Mr Churchill in a statement on the Irish settlement said: “A complete agreement has been reached after three days’ continuous conferences, 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 The Commission’s report will not be published, inasmuch as the agreement which has supervened is much more satisfactory than any arbitration, however excellent and admirable in itself. 1 am glad that tonight for th% 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 contusion 18 months ago. The settlement 'must be regarded as an immense advance in the steady process of reconciliation, appeasement, and consolidate! on since the Irish Treaty was signed.” Mr Baldwin, Mr Churchiil, .Sir W. Joynson-Hicks, the Earl of Birkenhead, and Mt L. S. Amery signed on behalf of Britain ; Mr Cosgrave. Mr K. <J’Higgins, Mr E. Blythe and Mr O'Byrne for the Free State; and Sir Jarre? Craig and Mr C. H. Blackmore for Ulster.

Sir James Craig issued the following statement: “I desire to thank the Ulster people for their restraint and patience during a. long period of anxiety and suspense. I am 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. I am returning to Ireland to-morrow with nothing but relief that statesmanship, has succeeded in surmounting a grave situation.”

A DRAMATIC SETTLEMENT. LONDON, December 3

Events in connection with the Irish boundary took the course foreshadowed yesterday. Following the Cabinet’s decision drastically to reduce the Free State's financial obligations the terms were finally settled at a triangular conference at the Treasury which lasted for four hours. These were speedily incorporated in an agreement which was signed and announced later in the House of Commons. The news spread like wildfire and the halfempty 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 had made the agreement poLsible. Mr Runciman, on behalf of the Liberals, followed with the sentence that he was sure that the statement would be heard with relief and pleasure by the whole of the English-speaking world. The Free State representatives hurriedly dined at the House of Commons with Sir James Craig and the British Ministers, and departed immediately for Dublin. In the meantime Mr Cosgrave tela graphed the Irish Times as follows: “We ring back an instrument solemnly exe. cuted by friendship. This agreement is accepted in the spirit in which it was negotiated and signed, and provides a basis for a sure and lasting peace. We confidently recommend it to the Irish people.” In the course of the noisy, obstructive debate in the House of Commons on the Safeguarding of Industries Bill, Mr Baldwin intervened to announce the Irish settlement, which he said had been signed just an hour before. It is divided into five clauses, the preamble stating: “Whereas the Governments of Britain and the Free State have united in amity in this undertaking with the Government of Northern Ireland, and are resolved mutually to aid one another in a spirit of neighbourly comradeship they hereby agree to the text.’’ The clauses merely express in legal language the points already summarised. The agreement concludes: “This agreement is subject to confirmation by the British Parliament nnd by the Irish Free State. The British Parl : %ment will fix the date from which tit Council of Ireland is abrogated, and instead the Governments of Northern Ireland and the Free State will hold meetings to discuss matters of common interest.”

COMMENT ON AGREEMENT. LONDON, December 4. It was 11 o’clock before the text was known in Dublin. The Exchange Agency’s Dublin corre. ■pondent says: “It is “generally agreed

that Mr Cosgrave has made a good bar gain 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 the papers do not comment editorially, but the news columns indicate general approval. They stress the fact that Irish questions have now become a matter for Irishmen to settle among themselves. The Daily Chronicle’s political correspondent states that at a rough calculation the Free State is excused from paying to Britain about £5,000,000, representing the annual interest on an obligation of about £100.000,000.

The Daily News, in an editorial, states that the settlement is the best way out of the difficulty. The time is now 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 taxpayers but the prospect of the stabilisation and pacification of Ireland is well worth the disappearance of any crock of gold at the foot of an Irish rainbow.

THE NEW AGREEMENT. LONDON, December 5. There is a general satisfaction in Dublin over the Irish settlement, mingled with disappointment at the failure of the Free State’s claim to the Nationalist areas in Ulster. It is generally agreed that Mr Cosgrave has made a good bargain in securing the cancellation of Article V, but some quarters forecast strong opposition to ratification. In the House of Commons Mr Baldwin said that he hoped to introduce the Irish Bill embodying the agreement on Tuesday, and to get' it passed as quickly as possible. Replying to Mr Ramsay MacDonald’s question, “What were Britain’s liabilities?” the Prime Minister said: “We have incurred no new liabilities.”

Mr Baldwin at the adjournment of the House of Commons told Mr Ramsay MacDonald I hat the Bill to ratify the Irish settlement would be definitely brought down on Tuesday. In consequence of this the safeguarding duty on wrapping paper would be deferred till the new year. He reiterated that the settlement did not involve any new liability. What Ireland might or might not have paid in certain circumstances under the old agreement was largely a matter of conjecture.

DAiL TO MEET TO-DAY. LONDON, December 5. The Dail Eireann has been summoned to meet on Mondav to discuss the first reading of the Bilf to confirm the Irish agreement. The Labour Party of the Dail has issued a statement declaring that the agreement is an unmitigated betrayal, leaving no impediment whatever to the unlimited extension of the powers of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, and making the partition complete and final. Mr Cosgrave made a statement declaring his belief that the agreement lays the foundation of a new era in Irish history in which the North and South will make a united effort for the betterment and development of the whole country. Sir James Craig had a triumphal reception on his return to Belfast. The Lord Mayor headed a deputation of leading citizens who congratulated the Prime Minister on the great achievement of a boundary agreement, which, it was hoped, would mean permanent peace in Ireland. Sir James Craig, in replying, emphasised the fact that the outstanding feature of the agreement was the spirit in which it was concluded. He had returned home happy and contented.

A UNITED IRELAND. LONDON, December 4,

Commenting on the agreement the Irish Times says: “If either Irish Government holds by" the mere letter of the Pact it will prove barren. The whole genius of the settlement lies in the little clause containing- the germ of organic good giving Ireland something which even the treaty of 1921 did not give—namely, the definite prospect of ultimate unity. If Irishmen of all parties and creeds now resolve to finish the great task begun so well, December 3, 1925, may yet mark the most momentous turning point in the history of our island.”

COMMENT ON AGREEMENT The Daily Mail states: “The popular sport of coddling the Englishman is nowhere carried to such high perfection as in Dublin. It lias been practised in this case with singular success. The Englishman is always made to pay everybody. Nobody troubles to pay him.” The press comments on the Irish settlement are divided, ranging from complete approval to condemnation of the policy of throwing on the British taxpayer a burden estimated at £25,090,000. The Morning Post says: “The boundary question has been settled in the only possible way—i.e., by leaving it unsettled —-but the British public would be appnllel if it saw, arrayed in cold figures, the price it has been paying and is still paying for the questionable privilege of dunning a hitherto unfriendly neighbour as a dominion when the substance or even the pretence of allegiance has ceased to exist.”

The Belfast Northern Whig says*. “Britain has again surrendered to the Sein Feiners, who are to be paid a large bribe for not accepting the decision of the Commission, for the appointment of which they themselves were responsible. Only the position of the British Ulster taxpayers prevents the negotiations from providing material for a screaming farce.”

VOICE OF PARLIAMENT. LONDON, December 5. It is regarded as practically certain that the Irish agreement will be ratified by the respective Parliaments next week.

The Morning Post states that the Free State exchanges a large undefined liabiliy for a smaller but defined liability. Whether it will be any more desirous to discharge the one than the other remains to be seen. The editorial concludes: ‘‘lf Britain were to offer the dominions an Imperial preference which would include Irish produce and Ireland were to give British manufacturers and capital a favoured position then we should have a real approach to better feeling between the two countries.” The Times states: “The general political interest of these islands can only benefit by the Irish agreement which for the first time brings the three Governments into line. To the midnight treaty hastily negotiated in 1921 with its dangerous'indefiniteness on the vital question of the border this new agreement stands as the Treaty of Locarno to the treaty of Versailles, a proof of the growth of appeasement and conciliation.” The Daily Telegraph says: “The bargain will be welcomed if we can be assured that it is the last of its kind It will firmly establish Mr Cosgrave’s position as against the Republican minority. The peace of Ireland is not threatened from the North, but only by in the- South.”