The Irish standard., 1918-08-03
THE LESSON OF THE FAILURE OF DILLoNS PRO-
POSAL

THE LESSON OF THE FAILURE OF DLLoNs PRO-
POSAL.
was a foregone conclusion that the proposal of Ma
tonast Leader John Dillon submit the of Ireland
judgement President Wilson would be defeated in
the British Parliament Many obstacles in the way
of such disposition of the Irish problem which
obvious not to require enumeration elucidaton But
of the most serious of these considerations is to be
found the status Of the Irish people themselves
by all impartial observers that Nation
ast party has, at least temporarily lost control and d
recton Of the general sentiment and trend of opinion in
Ireland If general election to be held at the
time it highly probable that the Sim Fen party
would succeed capturing about twothrds of the Par
amentary seats This is apparent from the results of the
dozen byeeecons that have taken place within the
two years. in which the party has shown its
preponderant strength.
cannot therefore be denied that the Nationalist party
is really minority party insofar lays claim speak
for the entire country 1t would be humiliation
sequently to President Wilson to ask him to stand
bitraor in matter wherein his decision would not be
considered fnaty after he had devoted much of his
precious time and labor to the preplexng issues involved
Under existing circumstances there would be guar
antee that his adjudication Of them would not fall flat
and prove unfruitfu the findings of the REGENTS Irish
Convention.
1t would be necessary condition previous to his accept
of such important role that the questions at issue
should be properly presented by all the parties
in interest This would of course include the FREEDOM
inan Sim Fein element for without their participation
and acquiescence in the decision there could be sat
isfactoy handling of the matter by President Wilson
by any other of arbitration. Mr. Dons resolution
if adopted in Parliament would of little
tica except insofar might evnce spirit of good
will toward Ireland among the hardpressed British poll
ticians and conversion their the application of
the principles of democracy in government
The effort of the Nationalist leader will not be entirely
without value if it may to bring to the friends of
Ireland everywhere realizing Of the necessity of
unity Of purpose and policies hemseve. BY this
of course, is not meant unanimty which the impos
sibe condition imposed by Lloyd George when he spu
lated for Substantial agreement by the Irish Conven
ton. Such unity and solidarity achieved the
question of resistance CONSUMPTION would fully
the requirements of true democracy If the aspirations
and policies of the Irish people could be framed and
sened in the cogent and effective form in the
CONSUMPTION issue there be doubt of the feasibility
of their achievement without waiting for the uncertain
of the world If such unity consolidated action
be brought about single great issue there is
good why cannot be accomplished in to all
the other problems involved if the subject approached
in spirit of Cancellation and genuine patriotism.
This much ateast be learned from the failure of the
Dillon proposal and should not be forgotten in
arations to be made for the ultimate adjudication the
problems Of Ireland.