The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-08-26

The letter dated August "a reads:
"The anticipatory judgment l gave
in my reply of August 10 has been
confirmed. l laid the proposals Of
your government before the Dali
Eireann and by an unanimous vote 1t
has rejected them.
Rejects Principle.
From your letter of August 13 1t
was clear that the principle we are
asked to accept was that the "geo-
graphical propinquity" Of Ireland to
Great Britain imposed the condition OF
the subordination of Ireland's right
to Great Britain's strategic, interests
as she conceives them and that the
very length and persistence of the ef-
forts made in the past to impel Ire
lands acquiescence in foreign DOM
ination imposed the condition of ac-
ceptance of that domination now.
1--WE cannot believe that your gov
ernment intended to commit itself to
the principle of sheer militarism, de-
structive of international morality
and fatal to the worlds peace. II
small nations right to independence
Is forfeited when more powerful
neighbor covets its territory for mil
itary or other, advantage it is sup
posed to confer, there is an end to lib
erty. No longer can any small ma
ton claim any right to separate ex-
istence. Holland and Denmark can be
made subservient to2 Germany, Bel.
gium to Germany or France, Portu
gal to Spain.
"If nations that have been forcibly
annexed to an empire loseS thereby
their title to independence there can
be for them no re-birth to freedom.
willing to Fight.
"In 1reland's case, to speak of her
seeding from partnership she has
not accepted or from lien which she
has not undertaken to render Is
fundamentally false, just as the claim
to subordinate her independence to
British strategy is fundamentally un-
Just. TO neither can we as represen-
tatives of the nation lend countenance.
III our refusal to betray our ma
tion's honor and the trust that has
been reposed in us is to be made an
issue Of war by Great Britain we de.
plore 1t. We are as conscious of our
responsibility to the living as We ARE
mindful of principle or of our obli-
cations to the heroic dead.
1--WE have not sought war nor do
we seek war. but II war be made upon
,,s we must defend ourselves and shall
do so confident that whether our de-
fense be successful or unsuccessful:
no body of representative Irishmen or
Irish women will ever propose to the
nation the surrender of its birth
right.
Would End Conflict.
1--WE long to end the conflict be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland. II
your government be determined to
impose its will upon us by force. and
antecedent to negotiation to insist
upon conditions that involve a sur
render of our whole national position
and make negotiations impossible the
responsibility of continuance Of the
conflict rests on you.
ION the basis of the broad guiding
principle of government by the con-
sent of the governed peace can be Sc
cured-a peace that will be just and
honorable to all and fruitful OF con-
cord and inducing to amity.
"To negotiate such peace the Dali
Eireann is ready to appoint its repre-
sentative and il your government ac-
cepts the principle proposed to invest
them with plenary powers to meet
and arrange with you for It's applica-
tion in detail.
II am sir, faithfully yours.
"Signed."
"Eamonn deValera.'
The reply to Mr.. deValera's letter
probably will he drawn todav. the
British cabinet having met and con-
sidered the Irish Republican leaders
communication.