“GIVE AND TAKE”

Southland Times, Issue 19332, 26 August 1924, Page 5

“GIVE AND TAKE”

ULSTER’S ATTITUDE DEFINED DE VALERA AND REPUBLICANISM AGAINST IMPERIALISM. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Austral.’ar. and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, August 24. (Received August 25, 11 p.m.) The Ulster Association, replying to Mr P. Duggan, says that he overlooked the basic fact that the 1920 Act laid down the extent of the northern territory, therefore Ulster is not concerned with discussions affecting the twenty-six counties. Furthermore, Mr Lloyd George pledged himself that Ulster’s rights would not be compromised. Lord Londonderry, speaking at Stockton, said that Sir James Craig was ready now, as always, to discuss with President Cosratification of the boundary on the basis of mutual "give and take.”

Sir Robert Horne said that Ulster was coerced and turned against despite the repeated pledges of Messrs Asquith, Lloyd George, Bon ar Law and Baldwin, and this condition would create a situation which could easily end in civil war. After these pledges, they could appreciate the unwillingness of Ulster to take the risk of sending a representative to the Commission whose judgment Ulster would be bound to accept if he took part in its deliberations. Replying to an address from his constudents in Dunkalk, Mr E. De Velera said that he never spent a happier time than in prison because he was conscious he had done right, and that the cause would eventually triumph. He refused to sit in the Ulster Parliament or Dail Eireann because they were partition Parliaments. A Republican Government would be willing to give Ulster a Parliament with such autonomy as was consistent with the unity of the Irish State. He was certain that the signature to the Treaty on both sides intended there should be a transference of certain area.

De Valera expressed the hope that when they were confronted with these problems again in a year or two the Irish people would not be ready to buy a fallacious peace. Irishmen detested Imperialism and did not wish in their turn to dominate or exploit the people of Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.

Referring to the 1921 negotiations, Mr De Valera said that political association with the people of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, towards whom they had no feelings of hostility, was in nowise repugnant to them, but Irishmen did not want to become involved in Imperialistic wars.