IRELAND

New Zealand Tablet, 15 September 1921, Page 25

IRELAND

There has been no important change in the Irish situation since last week beyond the fact that a conference is likely to take place between the Irish leaders and the representatives of the English Government. While the personnel of the English deputies is not a matter for congratulation, the fact that the New Zealand day-lies, so hostile to Ireland and so unfair towards a people fighting for freedom, are reflecting the anxiety of the English Government for a settlement is noteworthy. Even judging from the unreliable cables sent hither by - British propaganda agents, it would seem that de Valera and his friends have less fear of facing another fight than England has.. Sinn Fein has been for-some time past quietly confident of winning, and that confidence is based on the determination of a whole nation, as well as on . the nation's glorious record during the , two *>: years that were filled with Greenwood's vain boasting that his "Black-and-Tans" were cowing the Irish patriots. We do not delude ourselves with undue hopes as to the result -of the conference. We know -that England never yet

yielded anything that she was not compelled to yield, and we know c that Lloyd George' has not exactly a reputation for honor and good faith. "We know also that de Valera will not be deceived by the Welshman as : Wilson was, and we can trust'him never to leave the Catholics of Ulster in the power of the Orange mob that celebrated the twelfth of July this year by (burning or looting 146 Catholic homes in the city of Belfast. We call the attention of our readers to the significant fact that our New Zealand day-lies steadily persist in cloaking the hideous crimes of the people whom Lloyd George allowed to arm themselves for the extermination of Catholics. .