THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18257, 16 August 1921, Page 5

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

BRITISH PRESS OPINIONS. GOVERNMENT HAS GONE TO LIMITS OF CONCESSIONS. DISAPPOINTMENT AT DE VALERA’S REPLY. (United Service.) Received August 15, 8.30 p.m. LONDON, August 14. The English newspapers generally agree that Mr. Lloyd George’s offer marks the limits of concessions to which the Government is prepared to go. They express profound disappointment at Mr. De Valera’s reply, regarding it ,as tantamount to refusal. The Times sees a gleam of hope in the tone in which the reply is couched, and says, in substance it is a refusal but a reasoned refusal, which seems to deliberately avoid any final rupture. The paper adds: “Since Mr. De Valera’s return to Ireland, extremist counsels have apparently prevailed, inducing the leaders to put forward their view. We refuse despair until the Irish people and Parliament have had an opportunity of studying the offer and weighing the reply.” GENERAL SMUTS’ LETTER. CAUSES SENSATION IN IRELAND. SINN FEINERS PROTEST AGAINST PUBLICATION. (Reuter.) Received August 15, 8.30 p.m. LONDON, August 14. The publicity department of the Dail Eireann issues a statement that Mr. De Valera does not believe General Smuts would have authorised the publication of his letter without the President’s consent, which was not given. The letter should certainly not have been published without the full communications which passed between the English and Irish Governments. General Smuts simply summarises his own view -which is not justified by the British proposals. General Smuts’ letter caused a great sensation among the public of Ireland and keen resentment in ginn Fein circles, which regard the publication as a breach of confidence. ULSTER’S ATTITUDE. “WE HAVE NOTHING FURTHER TO GIVE AWAY.” NORTH IRELAND STAND BY THE KING. Received, August 15, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 14. Sir John Craig, the Ulster leader, writes Mr Lloyd George: “In order that you may correctly understanu the attitude we propose to adopt, it is necessary to remind you of the sacrifices we recently made in agreeing to self-government and consenting to the establishment of a parliament for Northern Ireland. It was much against our wish, but in the interests of pe»rce we accepted this, as a final settlement of the long outstanding difficulty confronting Great Britain. We are now engaged in ratifying our part bargain while I Irishmen outside the. Northern area have chosen to repudiate the,govern, ment of Ireland and press Great Britain for greater powers. To join in such pressure to repugnant to the people of Northern Ireland. In the further interest of peace, we decline to Interfere with the terms made between Britain and the South of Ireland. It cannot, then, be said that Ulster blocks the way. Our acceptance of your original invitation to meet in conference holds good. If our assistance be again desired, we are available, but I am bound to acquaint you with the fact that a meeting is impossible between Mr De Valera and myself until he recognises chat Northern Ireland will not submit to any authority other than that of the King and Parliament of the United Kingdom and until he admits the sanctity of the existing powers and privileges of the Parlia. ment Government of Northern Ireland. Peace is as earnestly desired by my Governmbrft as by yours. We have nothing left to give away. We are prepared, when you and Mr De Valera arrive ata satisfactory settlement, to co-operate with the South on equal, terms for the future welfare of our common country.” LONDON PRESS OPINIONS. Received August 15, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, August 15. Commenting on the Irish situation, the Daily Express says: ,'We refuse to believe Mr. De Valera’s communication represents the last word. It is evident he is having trouble with extremist followers, his letter expressing their views. We predict that Mr. Lloyd George’s proposals will favourably affect the bulk of the Irish people. The Government has already broken its rules by going straight to the point and making a firm and final offer of all it is willing to pay for Irish peace. The people of Great Britain are intensely "anxious for a friendly settlement, and are prepared to go to great lengths to realise their desire. Those lengths are reached in the Government’s offer.” The Daily Telegraph says: “The only interpretation that can be put on Mr. De Valera’s letter is that courage to stand up against the extreme elements of the Sinn Fein has not been found in its more responsible and better instructed lendership. They simply re-state the essentials of an impossible demand, totally disregarding the advice given by General Smuts in his letter. How far the Sinn Fein is removed from facing the realities will be judged from the reference to Ulster. The way remains open for the introduc-