Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-23
SUCCESS OF IRISH
MEASURE DOUBTED
BYLOND0N PAPERS
Lloyd George Proposal Has
Favorable Reception, But
Difficulties Are Seen.
By the Associated Press.

LONDON, December 23.-Aside from
rule journals, London newspapers
this morning give on the whole a
favorable reception to the govern
ment's new scheme for Irish self-gov-
eminent None, however. expresses
genuine expectation of the success OF
the plan.
While it is recognized that such a
! bill as Premier Llovd George outlined
yesterday the fourth home rule
measure to be presented TO parlla-
ment-will be absolutely rejected by
a large section OF the Irish people
and regarded with suspicion and dis
trust by others. it is contended 1T
deserves to be fairly considered and
tried.
The Daily News, perhaps the most
thorough champion of home rule
among the London newspapers. ana
severe critic of Premier Lloyd George
and the coalition government, says
THE government bill gives Ireland
greater degree of autonomy since
| it sets up an Irish parliament and II
nlanifeStly conterlplateS the probapll-
ity of united Irish parliament. In
the desperate situation in which Ire
land now stands this offer. so far as
EngIishmen can judge, should not be
rejected out of hand. assuming IL 10
be honestly put forward.
Believes 1t Is Only Way.
Belief that the bill offers the only
possible way out of the Irish tangie is
expressed by the liberal Chronicle,
which says on the whole the measure
appears generous. Foreseeing the
plan will be opposed nearly every
wherein Ireland. largely because none
of the contending factions is really
willing to be fair to any of the 9TH
ers" the newspaper says:
1.-The government. the British peo-
pie and the British parliament must
recognize and discount oppoSl =
tions in advance. Only III such a way
can any change which is either just or
workable be achieved in Ireland"
The Daily Mail declares 1T to be
better scheme than any previous gov
eminent has produced and an honest
endeavcr conceived with single aim
of minjstering to the good of Ireland.
while maintaining the unity OF the
British empire.
In commenting on the bill. the Tele-
graph describes it as "a proposal
which will commend itself to free
dom loving minds everywhere as a
just and fair tender OF self-govern-
ment."
Representing the extreme unionist
position. the Morning Post says:
ut is a had settlement, bad for Ire
land because it does not settle the
Irish question. and bad for Great Brit
ain because it Weakens the United
Kingdom. 1t is merely the climax of
long betrayal. We have chosen as
rooted policy to be friends to our
enemies and enemies to our friends"
While it Is realized everywhere that
no support of the measure may be ex-
..pected from Ireland. hope is expressed
that when English opoinion has pass
ed the scheme into law men viii De e
ultimately found in Ireland to give 1t
effect and evolve gradually apeaceful
settlement.
Comment in Ireland.
DUBLIN December 23.-In COM
menting upon the speech made by
Premier Lloyd George in the house
of commons yesterday. during which
the premier outlined the provisions
of the proposed Irish home rule bill,
the Freeman's Journal says Mr.. Lloyd
George 'in the presence of the Amer
lean ambassador. but in the absence
of every representative of the ma
jority of the Irish people. explained
to the house his panacea for the ills
of Ireland
Even the few Irish nationalist
members who have survived the prime
minister's past treacheries and be-
trayals absented themselves the
newspaper continues. They proba-
bly, had forecast that their gesture
of contempt would be warmly ap-
proved by the whole Irish nation and
, race. AS matter Of fact. they were
merely obeying the command Of their
dead leader. given when he and they
withdrew from the house upon the
/ first declaration of the prime minis
ter's intentions to permanently par
tition their country
The Irish Times says that for many
| reasons, some good. some bad, some
wise and some mad" three-uuarters
of the Irish people will reject the
bill
Its principle is hateful alike to the
urionists and nationalists," the news
paper says. They know national
ideals and the ancestral spirit of
common patriotism cannot persist in
a divided country They know the
fantastic homegeneity which the gov
eminent proposed for Ulster unionists
would be an excrescence on the map
of Ireland and would be ruinous to
/ the trade and industry of the north
ern provinces. We yearn for peace,
but in the LLOYD George offer we see
not peace, but the sword"