Evening star., 1919-06-29
IRISH DEMAND FULL
DOMINION STATUS.
Men Behind Manifesto Give
Strength to Argument
for Separate Powers.
BY WILLIAM H. BRAYDEN.

BY WILLIAM H. BRAYDEN.
Special Cable to The Sunday Star and
Chicago Daily News, Copyright. 1919.
DUBLIN, Ireland, June 27.-The
manifesto of the new Irish Dominion
League will be issued Saturday. !
have seen an advance copy 1t ap-
pears to be startling document to
proceed from so moderate and re-
sponsble a body of Irishmen. and
shows clearly that even if the Sim
Fein does not succeed in obtaining an
independent republic it has at any
rate turned up the general Irish de-
mand for better political conditions to
a pitch not hitherto reached.
Neither Parnell nor Redmond ever
put forward so attainable program
as that now issued by men in the
highest position in Irish life, many of
whom were formerly opponents of
even moderate constitutional claims.
Legislation in Ireland.
The full status of dominion is de-
manded. 1t is explained that this
means Ireland would cease to be rep
resented at Westminster. but would
be represented alone with the other
self-governing dominions in the
league of nations and in whatever i'm
perial conference, council or parlia-
ment may at any time be established.
Irish legislation would be enacted in
Ireland and the Irish parliament.
through it's executive, would be re-
sponsible.
1t would have complete control of
all internal government and would
fix the tax levy and collect all taxes,
including customs and excise duties.
II Ieland it is said, would probably
make free trade agreement with
England, through which Ireland de-
rives most of its raw materials and
to which it sells most of it's produce
and manufactures.
The naval and military defense Of
the whole United Kingdom woul1 re-
main where it now is. but no authority
exc cept the Irish parliament Gould i'm
pose conscription on Irishmen. The
difference in practice between these
claims and those Of De Valera, presi-
dent of the so-called Irish republic,
is unimportant.
The dominion league pronounces
against the Irish republic. not because
it is unattainable and would divide
1rfshmen, but because 1t would be less
profitable to Ireland than the scheme
proposed. Under a republic Ireland
would expose her produce to the pos
sibility of hostile tariffs and lose her
share of imperial preference.
Situation in Ulster.
AS for the Ulster difficulty, the
manifesto recalls that in February,
1918. Premier Lloyd George, in a let
ter to the president of the Irish con-
vention. admitted that a single par
lament for united Ireland was es-
sential to the settlement. It invites
the Ulster unionists to say what spe-
cial safeguards they require, and de-
clares that, failing to get response.
difficulties can be met in the Irish
constitution. as analogous difficulties
have been met elsewhere within the
empire.
The signatories who form the nu-
cleus of the new league are men
except the Sim Feiners. Sir Horace
Plunkett, chairman of the Irish con-
vention. is best known. There are
four Irish peers, including Lord Mon
tagle, head of the Spring-Rice fam
lily. and six baronets, including Sir
of the conservative London
Carlteon Club and father-in-law of
Marquis Butte, one of the wealthiest
members of the house of lords. There
a statesman Of the Irish parliament
which was overturned in 1900.
There are former members Of the
Irish parliamentary party and sew
eral distinguished military men, in
cluding Brig. Gen. D. T. Hammond
and Maj. OConnor, who few years
ago contested one division in Dublin
as unionist. The O'Conor Don (Owen
P. O'Conor) and the Mahony are heads
of old Irish families. There are also
several physicians who stand at the
head of their profession, including
DR.. Michael Cox. who Is member Of
the Irish privy council. There are
men who were associated with Par
There are eminent kings counsel, in
cluding William Carrigan, who is
chief crown prosecutor for the city
of Dublin. Following upon the
unanimous pronouncement of the