Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-08-17
We WILL NOT ACCEPT,
IRISH LEADER SAYS
Offer of Dominion Status is a
Bogus Proposal, "Presi-
dent" Valera Says.
BIZ AssooIated Press 70 F,very r:genine

Dublin. Aug. 17,--Eamon de valer~.
Irish Republican leader. declared to
day that the Dali Eireann would not
accept the terms offered by the Brie-
ish government. extending 70 rre-
land an OFFER Of dominion status
The public meeting Of ne Dan
Eireann was adjourned this afternoon
to an indefinite date.
Private sessions will be held in the
meantime, beginning tomorrow.
Mr. de Valera made this decisratioD
AZ the second session of the Dali
Isireann held in the Mansion House 10
take up the question Of negotiations
with Premier Lloyd George with regard
to possible Irish settlement.
Prom the reports this morning in
the British ard foreign press" sasd
Mr.. de Valera. there seems to b-
doubt as 20 what our attitude IL to-
ward the British proposals. There
seerns 20 be doubt as 20 whether what
have said or whether our letter
means acceptance or rejection.
We Cannot Accept EnSiasA's Terms.
There ought 10 be no Doubt in
snybody's mind. We cannot and will
not, on behalf OF this nation accept
these terms.
This is an Indian proverb reading:
fool me once. shame on you: fool
me twice. shame on me- The Irish
people will not be fooled this time.
1T is said we are offered the status
OF dominion home rule for Ireland
the status Of the British dominions.
Ireland Is offered no such thing. The
statement that Ireland was offered a
dominion status contained two false-
hoods. Where is Ireiand2 There is no
Ireland in the terms but two broken
pieces of Ireland.
Dominion Status Not Offered.
What was offered was not even
dominion status. II was admitted the
dominions had the right 70 secede
and could get out II they desired We
are told we must stay in whether we
like il or not.
We are not claiming the right 70
secede. There cannot be a question of
secession because there never has been
union.
Northern Ireland has regarded it,
self from its own viewpoint. and in
entering negotiations they need not
give up that point of view. I would
be willing 10 suggest TO the Irish
people that they give up good dead
in order to have Ireland able to look
into the future without anticipating
distracting internal problems.
Would ConciIiate Ulster.
'All the time these negotiations have
meant an attempt to get into touch
With the people OF the north and tell
them we have no enmity and would
make sacrifices for them We would
never think Of making for Britain. We
viii be ready 20 give them every safe-
guard any reasonable person could
say they were entitled to. and we are
ready TO leave the question OF tsa
north TO external arbitration, or leave
the whole question 70 external ar
bitration.
England's Claim Not Reasonable
.England's claim is unreasonable.
The claims OF the minority in Ire
land are unreasonable. But even un-
reasonable claims we would be ready
to consider, and I. for one. would be
ready 20 go a long way TO give way
to them. particularly TO their sents-
ment, IL we could get them 70 come
with US and consider the interests 81
their own country and not be beiyinx
themselves with foreigners
Mr.. de Valera said the Irish nation
did not stand between England. and
the world and was not shutting Up
The seas between the two islands.
1--WE have no enmity 20 England he
declared. AT least. il this question
were settled believe there would be
none The only enmity is to that rule
which the Irish people hate 70 the
marrow OF their bones
Il was said. remarked the Repubu-
can leader. that the Irish question
was problem. II was a problem. be
declared-a problem OF a. powerful.
selfish person wishing to encroach
spon the rights. the property and the
freedom of his neighbors. That Was
the fundamental problem 70 be settled.
Human nature had 20 be taken into
consideration, he pointed out. and
they who we're working for a completes
and final settlement were 70 see 70 II
that relArons must be adjusted on
the basis OF right. Therefore. in con-
sidering the problem, they who had
right on their side. he said, must
count
"The Irish people won't finch now
because moro arms are being sent
~. - he declared