Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-05-22
IRISH MAY SOLVE
OWN BIG PROBLEM
Premier Asks All Ireland,
Sim Fieners, Too, to Dis
cuss Ways and Means.
ERIN'S VOICE MAY SOUND
Redmond Is Hopeful, Carson
Doubtful; Lloyd George
Full of Promises.

LONON, May 21-It was m-
nounced by Premier Lloyd George in
the house of commons today that the
government proposed to summon inn
mediately a convention of representa-
tive lrishmcn in ireland to submit
to the British parliament a consu-
tuition for the future government OF
ireland. The premier stated that the
chairman of the proposed Irish con
vention will be nominated by the
crown.
"If a substantial agreement Is
reached regarding the character and
scope Of the constitution framed by
the convention" said the premier
'the government will take the neces-
sary steps to enable the imperial par
lament to give legislative effect
therein. The convention will be held
with closed doors"
To Act for Self.
John Redmond. the nationalist lead
er, speaking after the premier had
made his announcement said that for
the FIRST time i'm history Ireland has
been asked virtually to settle prob
lem for herself
81 take it for granted" he added,
that all sections Of Irshmen feel 1t
their duty to come in"
Four unsucce ssful attempts, said
Mr.. Redmond, had been made by
three successive governments to reach
settlement. but the present pro-
posal was entirely novel. Ireland was
being asked herself, to draft consti-
tuition for her country That pro-
, posal carried with it the implied OBJ
legation that Great Britain would be
only too glad to accept the decisions
arrived at,
Sir John Lonsdale, secretary and
whip of the Irish Unionist party, said
| in addressing the house that the
| Ulster party would submit the en-
/ tire proposal to the people OF Ulster
and recommend its careful consider
alton. He and his colleagues, he de-
! clared, would not take the responsi-
biity FOR closing the doors upon the
/ experiment.
Patriotism the Motive.
The people of Ulster, added Sir
john would be guided by the same
patriotic move which had always
guided them, altho he could not feel
sangulne that the convention would
accomplish the purpose designed.
Il have the sure hope" Mr.. Red
mond said, that the result of the
convention will be blessed one foI
Ireland and the empire. with all my
heart / hope the convention will be
animated by the true spirit of con
Ciliation among Irishmen."
Mr.. Redmond said they must not
shrink from n compromise. and If
they could obtain a substantial agree
ment it would be worth all the heart
! burnings and postponemcnts of the
last thirty or forty years.
Immediately after question time
I MIR. Lloyd George arose to make his
| statement. He said one thing had
tended to cause the failure of efforts
TO arrive at a settlement--that the
proposals had emanated from a Brit
ish government The present govern
ment, therefore. had decided to invite
Irishmen themselves TO put forward
their proposals. Hitherto Great Brit
ain had undertaken all the construc-
tion and ireland all the criticism
Once Irshmen were confronted with
the problem they would give due
weight to the obstacles and difficult
ties.
Try Own Hand.
The government pro posed Ireland
should try her own hand at framing q
plan. This method, he said. had sue
ccedcd in Canada, AUSTRALIA ana SOuth
Africa and he could not help thinking
that what had been accomplished
there could be achieved In Ireland
There was a rumor in the lobby that
the Duke of Connaught might be
chosen chairman OF the convention.
Regarding finances Mr.. Lloyd
George said the treasury would not
forget that reparations and restltu-
ton began at home.
Sir Edward Carson, leader of the
Irish Unionists, said he did not hest
tate to assert that he found reason &c
modify the opinion that he had al
ways held that the best solution of the
Irish problem lay in the maintenance
of the Union. He did not know
whether the people OF Ulster would
accept the governments invitation
but he did know that no threats woult
hnva the slighteSt effect