IRISH NEGOTIATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14773, 12 October 1921, Page 5

IRISH NEGOTIATIONS

THE TRUCE STRICTER OBSERVANCE ESSENTIAL. ACTIVITIES OF THE I.R.A. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 11, 8.5 p.m. LONDON, October 10. The Daily Telegraph says that a stricter observance of the truce is essential to the success of the Irish conference. There have been big parades of the Irish Republican Army, with bombing instructions in many places, and officers of high rank in the I.R.A. who have been visiting the camps have made inflammatory speeches. There has recently been an extensive landing of arms, and notices declaring a boycott of English goods were posted broadcast in Dublin last week. The seizure and destruction of Belfast goods consigned to provincial traders continue and the I.R.A. has commandeered Government properly and private, premises for arm* purposes. The conference cannot meet in a proper atmosphere while this continues. Regarding the suggested release of internees the Sinn Fciners must remember that this is an armistice, and it is impossible to release prisoners until peace is actually signed. EARL GREY BREAKS SILENCE. -CABINET'S MISTAKE. IRELAND MUST NOT BE COERCED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 11, 8.5 p.m. LONDON, October 11. Earl Grey at Berwick on the Tweed delivered his first political speech since his retirement in 1916. He said that the next election will be fought on issues which had been made plainer since the war. The Coalition Cabinet had justified itself during wartime, but had now an unsettled policy, jumbling and changing its policies, which had impaired public confidence. The coalition would not make an offer to Ireland until the reprisals failed, whicli was dangerous, because Irishmen are now negotiating with a sense of victory. The Irish delegates are not dealing with a Government; they are beginning to deal for the first time with British public opinion, and it would be dangerous if the Irish delegates should force the negotiations to a point at which Britishers believe their self-preserva-tion is endangered. Dominion partnership was equal to a partnership with only one foreign policy. If this is the solution at which the Government aims it must have the consent of the other Dominions; it cannot bring a new partner to the Imperial Council Board on the same terms as other partners without the latter's goodwill. Britain and Ireland cannot secure naval defence for either island unless such defence is under oae authority. A partitioned Ireland would never realise Irish aspirations, but any attempt to coerce Ulster must fail. Ulster's aid must be won by the rest of Ireland. DE VALERA'S PROCLAMATION. A PLEA FOR FIRMNESS. POLICY OF NO SURRENDER. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received October 11, 9.40 p.m. LONDON, October 11. De Valera has issued a proclamation to the Irish people saying: "Our delegates unanimously desire that the secular conflict between the rulers of Britain and the Irish people may happily end. The only peace that can end the struggle will be a peace consistent with the nation's right, guaranteeing a freedom worthy of the sufferings endured to secure it. II is nut the skill or statesmanship of the leaders that will end this conflict, but the stern determination of a close-knit nation, steeled to the acceptance of death nther than the abandonment of rightful liberty. Nothing but such determination by our people can overcome the forces with which our delegates have to contend. By heroic endurance and suffering Ireland has gained the position she holds. Were the prospects of further horrors and further sacrifices to cause her to quail and falter lor a moment all would again be lost. Threats that could force a surrender on one vital particular would be relied on to force a surrender in another till all would be gone. Ireland must stand where she is, unyielding and fearless on the rock of right, or be outmanoeuvred and defeated in detail. The power against us will use every artifice it knows of in the hope of dispiriting, dividing and weakening us. We must all beware. Essential unity can best be maintained by unwavering faith in those deputed to act on the nation's behalf and confidence manifesting itself in eloquent discipline to the end.