THE HISTORIC WORD “NEVER.”

New Zealand Tablet, 26 May 1921, Page 13

THE HISTORIC WORD “NEVER.”

Lloyd George declares the Irish question a domestic one and referrng to the Irish Republic he utters the omninous word, “Never” (writes St. John Gaffney, in an American exchange). The Gfeeks challenged the conscience of Europe claiming the sovereignty of the Hellenic Archipelago, but the Turkish Viziers scornfully echoed “Never.” France said Alsace-Lorraine is ours; we shall have that territory back though the hosts of all Europe were against , us. But the German Chancellor growled, “Never.” • Servia, Rouraania, Bulgaria, and Montenegro defied the rule of the Sublime Porte claiming their rights as nations, but the European concert of powers whispered, “Never.” Belgium declared itself free although occupied by the Army of Occupation in 1830 —the Dutch ministers said, “Never.” Norway announced her independence by registered letter to Oscar 11., although his ministers said they would never consent. \ How many times have the big tripartite of Central Europe declared that the Polish question was settled “domestically” and that “never” again would a free Polish State bo seen r How many times has Finland’s appeal been insolently rejected by the Muscovite oppressor’s final “Never”? “Never” has been dinned into the ears of Jugoslavs and Czecho-Slovaks by the Hapsburgs, and this word, sounded like a death knell in Cuba to the accompaniment of fire and sword. Portugal said “Never” to her great Cis-Atlantic dominion, Brazil, and King George said “never” to the American colonies in 1775. Who will say that the “never” of Mr. Lloyd George is going to be a final answer to the Irish struggle of '"SO years.