Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-30
IRISH WILL Reject
HOME RULE OFFER
Proposals Of Grey Not Likely to
Bring Ulster and Sim
'Fein Together
ANOTHER TOWN WRECKED
BY the Associated Press

Dublin, Sept. 30.-Suggestions for
the solution Of the Irish problem, which
are virtually an offer Of a generous
form of home rule, made by Viscount
Grey Of Fallodon, have attracted much
attention in this city. Public opinion
generally discounts the probability Of
their adoption.
Moderate elements approve the Wis
counts plan, but the Sim Fein, it is
said, would not consent to enter an as
sembly for constituting a future gov
ernment unless the law gave automatic
force to whatever decisions were
reached. Under such conditions. on the
other hand, Ulster would refuse to
enter.
Sim Fein quarters welcome the pro.
posal that IL a settlement is not reached
within two years the British Govern
ment should withdraw altogether, leav-
ing responsibility to the Irish people.
Leaders of the Sim Fein movement
say that all they ask is free respon-
sibility.
Uniformed men wrecked several
houses and burned others in Drimo-
league. near Skibbereen. last night, as
reprisal for the shooting Of a SER
Tuesday night. A number of the in
habitants had left their homes earlier
in the day, fearing rcprisals would be
carried out.
London, Sept. 30.-(By A. Po-
The high reputation of Viscount Grey,
former ambassador to the United States,
as a man and statesman assured his
Irish proposals prominence in the press.
Although they were received with inter
est and respect, it cannot be said
that they awakened much enthusiasm.
while in some quarters they are re-
jectcd almost impatiently.
The Daily News, which is the most
favorable commentator. says today:
There is nothing in the proposals
which an Englishman ought not be glad
to indorse il he can thereby free him
self from the intolerablc discredit for
what is happening in Ireland. nor any
thing which patriotic Irishman should
be unwilling to accept il thereby he
can free his country from the miserics
in which she is plunged. The scheme
means abandonment by Ireland of its
claim to absolute independence and sur =
render by Englishmen Of the doctrine OF
the integrity of the United Kingdom,
but the sacrifice in neither case is a
real one"
The Times says: Fifteen months
ago the cabinet might have solved the
Irish problem by "A cold. swiD stroke.
Now nothing short Of some policy OF
the kind Viscount Grey suggests can
lead to settlement.
NebuIous Proposals
The Daily Telegraph calls the pro
posas nebulotfs and says:
1T is quite certain the Irish would
not compose Nthcir differences in two
! years or IN, my years aSd our Withdrawal
would simSly Imeanjt that we leave then
to fight itEut amSpg themselves. There
Is no SEM or ghidance in such i'll
thought ouS> S>SRexrams.
The Chronicle thinks the weakness
Of the scheme is that it tries to com
binc irreconcilables and argues that
withdrawal of the civil administration
would be incompatible with retention o
diplomatic and military control.
The Graphic, maintaining that al
Viscount Grey's proposals have beer
made before, thinks them valuable IA
they provide focus for new efforts Il
end the wretched sQuabblc."
Belfast, Sept 30.-(By A. PD-
Commenting upon the proposals Of Wis
count Grey for the solution of the 1risf
problem. the Unionist News Letter con
demns the scheme advanced by the Wis
count. saying:
at conforms to the traditional pol
icy Of oil British attempts to pacif!
Ireland. in that It follows the line o.
least resistance. Until British states
men abandon that policy and base Irisf
legislation upon principle rather thar
the expediency of the moment the Irisl
question will remain unsettled"
! The Northern Whig, also a Unionis
organ, says:
1.-THE plan simply means that Grea
Britain is to wash its hands of Irelan,
and let the north and south fight it OIL
between themselves. 1t Is a solution b,
civil war. There is no use talking abou
any solution until the Sim Fein an,
it's organization Of murder and violenc
Is stamped out.
Ulster May Get Armed Guard
Continued rioting and bloodshed il
this city Is viewed officially as creatin
/ an intolerablc situation and Ulster
proposal for an armed civic guard
likely to be adopted by the government
! IL disorders continue.
| Threats by the Sim Fein that organ
: izstion of such n guard would be take
rs "declaratron Of war" with re
? sultant uprising of Irish Nationalist
r are not taken seriously. ii being assertc
Q that "the existing situation cannot pos
, sibly be worse.
1t is claimed the government cannC
afford to maintain sufficient militar
forces In this city to cope with disturbe
conditions, and must rely on the CO
2 operation of loyal subjects to maintai
3 order. ..,
G The status and powers of the und,
b. secretary for Ulster. recently create
? Office held by Sir Ernest Clarke, con
I cerning which there has been muC
. specnlation, were made clear in a
y authoritative statement given the As
!, sociated Press correspondent yester
day.