New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-26
The Outlook in Ireland

If ever there were any doubts about the
intentions of Sim Fem in the matter of
the proposed Irish convention, they have
been disposed Of by the events Of the last
few DAYS. Since the prisoners of the
Easter week rising were released there has
been a series of outbreaks in Dublin, Cork
and other parts of Ireland, plainly show
ing that the extremists will on no account
enter into any discussion that aims at
compromise.
Some of the more moderate members OF
the Sim Fem party seemed few weeks
ago to be disposed TO discuss conditions in
Ireland on the understanding that the
rebels then in English prisons should here
after be treated as prisoners of war. The
British government made a more impor-
tant concession: it released them all,
vaguely hoping, perhaps, that this act Of
grace would have favorable effect on the
more turbulent element. As usual, how
ever, this was accepted as a confession OF
weakness, and the release Of the convicts
served as a signal for the renewal OF dis
orders exactly similar to those that pre-
ceded the instruction of 1916.
There never was any reason to believe
that the Sim Fem party could be induced
to take part in the convention. That party
counts on the Peace Conference after the
war. It is true that it proposed certain
conditions on which it would be willing to
consider an immediate settlement, but the
conditions were absurd and impossible.
That the Sim Fem leaders knew they
would not and could not be accepted was
shown plainly enough in the comment Of
their official journal;
The English government is challenged by
Sim Fen TO let the people Of Ireland vote
on the question Of complete Irish indie
pendence. The English government refuses;
it denies the dctum Of the United States
that governments derive their just powers
from the consent of the governed. II laid
trap for ireland. and it has fallen into
snare Whether England accepts the terms
Of Sim Fem, and summons a convention
elected upon the basis Of adult suffrage and
free to declare for completely Independent
Ireland, or whether it refuses, Ireland wins.
10 NOlc Oll ll4C NuCStlDlA az q l4llit "4iNi
large numbers of the finest type of Irish
men are fighting for their country abroad
might serve the turn of these politicians
but they will do almost as well by creating
dissension and discrediting the efforts of
others to secure settlement. And that
is now their only aim.
1t is not difficult enterprise, for Ire
land is divided already into many fac
tions\ The efforts of Liberals in England
and a great many Irish-Americans to re-
duce the problem to a simple difference of
opinion between Ulster and the rest of
Ireland no longer deceives any one. The
Sim Fem party is still in a more or less
fuctuating state, but it contrives to gather
about It the disaffected Of all types. The
Larkinites or their successors are with
( them, though, as jim Larkin himself has
1 told Us, they are utterly out of sympathy
with Sim Feins political and economic
heresies"; the so-called Irish Nation
League is with them, too; so are many i'll
/ informed Irish-Americans, who have M
particular convictions and know nothing
. about conditions in Ireland, but are mere
ly moved by habitual hatred of England.
The aim of Sim Fem is, in short, e
wreck the convention by any means. Any
tolerable settlement would be ruinous t.
th%e who count on the establishment Of q
republic, and most who call themselves
Sim Feiners to-day have this end in view
No doubt there are many who have a diff
fercnt conception Of freedom and are
doubtful of the practical value Of nom
NAL independence, but they arc not likely
10 secure a hearing and if they take part
in the convention they will doubtless be re-
pudiated by the Sim Fen executive.
Mr. Lloyd George and his ministry know
we'll that the convention is bound to be a
failure unless it is fairly representative of
all classes, creeds and interests in Ire
land. Now the power Of Sim F6in-or
What We may call Sim Fem for want Of
comprehensive titlc-is still doubtful
The elections in Longford and Roscommon
sufficed at least 10 show that new forces
are al work in Ireland, and we have no
/ right TO assume that the results would
/ lave been different elsewhere. The eyi.
dence tends TO the conclusion that the same
change Of mind has been spreading all over
( Iieland. We may reason it away by argu-
ing that it proves nothing more than gen
eral dissatisfaction with the parliamen.
tary party. But even that is an impor.
tant consideration.
II Is important because il gives the Sim
4 FGin party an opportunity % point out the
inability Of any conference such as that
prososed by TIC government 20 determine
the present state Of feeling in ireland; and
though Il is true that the Sim Fem party