New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-13

tlon2llStS pIOpOSe d SSueA"c WHACH OlA-
,ers in only one important particular
from that of the majority.
unprecedented in History"
1.-THE convention has. therefore, laid
foundation of an Irish agreement un-
urecedented in history. recognize that
action in Parliament upon the result of
our deliberations must largely depend
upon public opinion. Without knowl-
edge Of the circumstances which at the
termination of our proceedings COM
pelled US to adopt an unusual method
of presenting the results of our DELHI
erations, the public might be misled as
to what has actually been achieved. 1t
is therefore necessary to explain our
procedure.
1--WE had every reason to believe
that the government contemplated i'm.
mediate legislation upon the results
Of our labors. The work of an Irish
settlement. which was suspended at
the outbreak of the war. is now felt
to admit of no further postponement.
In the dominions and the United States.
as we'll as in the other Allied coun-
tries, the unsettled Irish question is
disturbing factor. both in regard to
war effort and peace aims. Neverthe-
less urgent as our task was, we could
not complete it until every possibility
Of agreement had been explored. The
moment this point was reached-and
you will not be surprised that it took
Us eight months to reach tive de-
cided to issue our report with the least
possible delay To do this we had to
avoid further controversy and pro-
tracted debate.
Report Narrative
II was, therefore, on March % in
structed to draft report which
should be mere narrative of the con-
vention's proceedings, with state
ment for the information of the gov
eminent of the conclusions adopted
whether unanimously or by majorities.
1t was hoped that this report might
be unanimously signed, and it was
understood that any groups or indi-
viduals would be free to append to it
such statements as they deemed neces-
sary to give expression to their views.
THE draft report was circulated on
March 80, discussed and amended on
April and 5. The accuracy of the
narrative was not challenged, though
there was considerable difference Of
opinion IS to the relative prominence
which should be given to some parts
Of the proceedings.
As time pressed, it was decided not
to have any discussion upon the ma
lorty report, nor upon any minority
reports or other statements which
might be submitted. The draft report
was adopted by a majority, and the
chairman and secretary were ordered
10 sign it and forward it to the gov
eminent.
The limit Of twenty-four hours was
BY agreement put upon the reception
OF any other reports or statements,
and IN the afternoon of April the
convention adjourned sine die.
No Real Report
The. public is thus provided with
no majority report in the sense of q
reasoned statement in favor of the
conclusions upon which the majority
was agreed, but it is left to gather
from the narrative of the proceedings
Fhat the contents of such report would
nave been. On the other hand, both
vis!er Un!onists and minority of the
Natlonalists have presented minority
reports covering the whole field of the
eonventlon's inquiry.
line result Of this procedure is to
minimize the agreement reached and
eApaaslze disagreement. In these cir
.aamstances I conceive it my duty as
CHAIRMAN to submit such explanatory
VCEerTatl0Nr - II
we reader of the report and accom-
lanylng documents to gain a clear
aea OF the real effect and significance
VI the conventions achievement.
Ulster Chief Obstacle
II may assume knowledge OF
uioad facts of the Irish question. II
VI. WI be agreed that of recent years
/ .as greatest obstacle to it's settlement,
ass been the Ulster difficulty. There
sssmed to be two possible issues tc
WI WI ceiiberations. If scheme oil
.isn sef-government could be framed
winch Ulster Unionists would give
m a.i adherence, then the convention
~ IN produce unanimous report.
r;..aning such contamination, we
sls s"' secure an agreement, either COM
E Z. or substantial, between National
w. southern Unionist and Labor rep
sssn.atiYes. Many entertained the
~ ~ mat the effect of such striking
~ ~no!iy new development would be
H.. n'ooce Ulster to reconsider its posi-
.,, feshaps unanimity was too much tc
I'm .S-. BE this as it may, neithe,
"a, ~, nor enort was spared in striving
~ a. goal, and there were moments
Tbss. "s attainment seemed possible
Ul,,.. was, however, a portion oil
Ira, wnere majority claimed thai
h.,,.ix mad the right TO separate
Kinsda1r IRON the rest Of the Unitec
s sss they had the same right tc
separation from the rest ~ Ireiand
Refused Partition
stsa0sa the time had gone By when an,
s.ns ssction of Irish people would &C
~ partition Of their country eve,
ths.H temporary expedient. Hence tn,
ssnt,a, nhlonsst members in the con
DAT renamed there only in the hop
h nr s"'ne form Of Home Rule woui.
a1vposed which might modify tn,
a t b. stion Of those they represent
M nave neither part nor lot in y,
-, Parliament. S 80 a.
), .ne Sationalixts stroye To win 4h.r
sIvssn sess,ons. but they found them
Ahsr. unable to accept any OF th
n ~ discussed, and the only schcm
w. eaa a government they presented l.
as.,nn Was confined TO the ex
81 their entire province.
saasi,axf before the hope Of compIst
Ne e nny has parsed the majority 0
k>rs;ks,s,.sntion we're considering, III
.Siellties Of an agreement h.t W." ""
fnvlA}iytn and gnuth.rr fftt.