The Star. MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1923. PEACE IN IRELAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17028, 30 April 1923, Page 6

The Star. MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1923. PEACE IN IRELAND.

The manifesto issued by De Valera indicates that the Republican leader is prepared to acknowledge the defeat of his hopes, as far as his attempt to overthrow the Free State Government by force is concerned. It is a peculiar document, and in its elaborate phraseology critics will be inclined to look for the verbal loopholes whioh the author has left for himself. De Valera’s easy assumption of the superiority of the “ Republican Government ” over the Free State Government is not exactly encouraging when the question of his sincerity is being considered. His guerilla troops have been scattered, and have continued their rebellion as units not far removed from bandits. The Free State is not now opposed by an army in rebellion, but by a small section which has substituted secret murder and ruthless incendiarism for open warfare. The Republicans have been “on the run” for some time past, and if the Free State had pursued a drastic campaign from the first the rebellion would have been wiped out long ago. It was not unnatural, however, that the Free State Government preferred to proceed with moderation, in the hope that the horrors and hatreds of civil war would be avoided as far as possible. It became inevitable, however, that the Government, for the preservation of the State should act with more determination. The policy of moderation went by the board, and the rebels were treated as enemies of their country. A salutary severity has brought results, and there is now a prospect that Southern Ireland will at last enjoy the blessings of peace. The attitude of the Government towards De Valeia’s offer has not been disclosed, but it is bound to be the subject of interesting speculation. The terms in which the offer is made are not impressive. There is a very belated acknowledgment of the sovereign rights of the people, and a disquisition on the relation of the army to the ration. These De Valera who defied the will of the people, and employed an army to terrorise the nation, has had a change of heart. At the last general election in Ireland the Republicans were hopelessly defeated. The voice of the people was against them, but De Valera resolved to ignore it. Defeated at the polls he declared that the Free State Government would be subjected to every extremity of opposition, and he carried out his threat. A promising servant of Ireland was slaughtered when Michael Collins was ambushed and killed, and that is a loss which can be placed at the door of the Republican leaders. The important point, however, i/5 that De Valera is ready to surrender, and his manifesto is an attempt to dictate the terms of his surrender. The Free State Government would be justified in replying that it has no terms to offer except unconditional surrender. The probability is that some action will be taken to arrive at a settlement, which will disarm the rebels and place their leaders under control. There will be no peace in Ireland if De Valera and his irreconcilables are permitted to carry their fiery cross through the country, and kindle anew the flames of rebellion There is no probability that another general election would reverse the decision of that of 1922, which, in spite of a pact by the 'Free State and Republican leaders, declared emphatically for the Free State. If the rebellion is to be ended the terms of settlement should be dictated by the Free State, and not by the men who have left a trail of blood and fire across their country.