Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-12-23
CLOUDY ISSUES
in PROPOSALS. ON
IRISH QUESTION
Some of the Leaders Unable
TO Meet the Views of
Lloyd George
By Associated Press


London, Dec. 23.-What appeared
to-day as a weakness in the govern
ment's proposal for n settlement of
the Irish question, was q certain mis-
tiness as to how Northeastern
Ireland would be settled for legis-
lative purposes. Premier Lloyd
George has rejected several pro-
posals-first. that the whole of Ul-
ster should form a unit; second,
county option; third, that the six
northeastern counties should form
u single unit-all on the same
ground, that solid sections of the
population would be left under a
government they disliked.
Sir Edward Carson, the Ulster
leader, in the subsequent debate yes
terday on the Irish question, de-
clined to believe that the bill would
prove success or for the good of
Ireland, but he would not give a
pronounced opinion until he had
seen 1t in print. He feared that the
Sim Fein would capture the Parlia-
ment and proclaim a republic, and
asked what the government would
do then.
Sir Donald MacLean said he
thought there was no idea of ven
geance in the Premier's speech, and
believed that it was the Premier's
intention to adopt no more repres-
sive measures in Ireland.
To Await Labor Report
Arthur Henderson said that the
/ n
port of their mission now investi-
eating conditions in ireland, before
arriving at a definite conclusion.
But, he declared, If the bill passed,
it could only be regarded as n half
hearted and unsatisfactory compro-
mise.
Briefly the governments project is
to set up two parliaments in Ire
land-one for the Catholics in the
south. and the other for the Protest
ants of the north and east. with a
council selected from both which
it is hoped eventually will bring
about union of the whole country
under a single parliament.
The proposed legislatures are
promised very extensive powers and
ample concessions, while the finan-
cial proposals are regarded as gem
erous. Moreover there are induce
ments to still further concessions
and to united parliament for the
whole country.
Would Fight Revolt
Ireland, said the Premier yester-
day, was the only country in Europe
except Russia where the classes
who elsewhere were on the side of
law and order were out of sympathy
with the machinery of the govern
ment.
Any attempt at secession, the Pre-
mier announced, would be fought
with the same determination, force
and resolution as had been shown
by the Northern States in America.
The two legislatures to be Gre
ated in Ireland, the Premier said,
would be clothed with full CON
stituent powers to create a single
Irish legislature to discharge all
powers not specifically reserved to
the Imperial Parliament.
The Premier said that the Irish
contribution to the Imperial serv-
ices was estimated at $4,000, 900
pounds annually. a joint exchequer
board would settle the rate of con-
tribution for the future and the
question of taxable capacity. 1t was
proposed to place 100000 pounds
at the disposal of each of the two
parliaments to cover the initial ex-
penditure.
The representation of Ireland al
Westminster, Mr.. Lloyd George an
| nounced, would be reduced under
the proposed measure to forty mem
bers, as in the act of 1914.
Admits Many Mistakes
Reviewing the position of Irish
| affairs, he said that nobody in Ire
land wanted the act of 1914. In the
existing circumstances no possible
scheme for Irish home rule was uni
| versally acceptable, and parliament
must assume the responsibility and
propose what it thought fair and
| just.
A settlement would be found, not
| in the enactment, but in the work.
! ing of a home rule scheme. He ad.
mitted that plenty of mistakes had
been made on both sides; there
were also follies and crimes
But" he added, I'VE want thai
chapter closed-not to ask who is tC
blame. but to set matters right"
The governments new bill pro.
vides, briefly. for the creation ot
two legislatures in Ireland. with full
| constituent powers to create a sin.
| gle Irish legislature to discharge al
! powers not specifically reserved t.
the Imperial Parliament. A clause II
the bill will protect the rights o.
minorities. The question of unitinl
these two Irish legislatures into one
| body rests with the Irish people
the consent of the Imperial Parlia
ment not being required.