MR REDMOND'S REPLY.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14408, 19 May 1917, Page 6

MR REDMOND'S REPLY.

OPPOSITION TO THE SCHEME

PKOrvbiu./ CONVENTION

iAVOURED

(Australian and JN'.Z. Cable Association)

(Received May 18, 7.10 p.m.) Lssidian, May 17

Mr .Redmond, inhis reply to Mr Lloyd George's proposals, says: "There is no need to restate- the grounds on which the irvM Party has decided not to negotiate with the Government, f. :note "'what you say to the irnpossi- ' m'Uty t:-f ':aki::jj; uu action which would revive ;i s.ioien! ijo.itici'.l controversy at tto .crisKs of the war, and the Government s liiir^; ■ f proposing a sottleJiioJit :-r. (:'!,i .. . ■ iii-i'optalilc to both sides. I cannot accept this proposition, wiiii'-i;' a;;.*, not boon applied to some i;L:it->r ii;:.M!-"s since? the outbreak or tiI'l -.'. ;'.'.. y.s colleagues have considered iht? l:rc n]twnt\i.ivon, and arc oi"o;)ini;!n t:';v, ?.;,:> ]ir.-;l: will find no support' in Ireland. They are irreconcilably opposed to the bchenie, and any measure nas^c i,:.e-eon vvilj meet wihi their vigorous opposition. The proposed coisvei;ii;)ji sui ' i-.tcii to recommend ie, and i. , ll; . ;v l;o found possible .of ro.iiijiaf.iii-;. colleagues will place no obstacle b\ the Vrfty, and are prepared ;■ f;ur:i-.-t.:y recommend it to tiieiv . ;iii;•,•;. .mi-:i on condition that the convention i:; representative- of Irishmen >;f ail riveiis, intorosts, and parties, and is .summoned wit-bout delay. 11' this i.* done 1 assure you that my colleagues and myself v,-iU spare no effort to realise our high and blessed ideal." Sir John Lonsdalo, replying on behalf of the "Ulster Unionists, states: — "We are opposed as strongly as ever j to the ( encm> f-7'->me> Rule policy; but! arc willing to consider the/ exigencies ] of tl;e present situation. My colleagues , and 2 have not-the power to accept the scheme, but we -will .robinit it to the Ulster Unionist Council with a recommendation that a decision should be .reached promoting the peace and. security of the United Kingdom."/MAWnHnm O'Brien replied to the Premier that he was unalterably opposed to'partition, but ho o.ccapted the conference for which his followers had so'long contended.