Evening journal., 1921-08-15
British Premier Reveals Entire
Correspondence on the Irish Situation

to secure for ireland an equal de-
gree of freedom There is no sug-
question, however, in the proposals
made of any such guarantee.
Instead, the natural position is
reversed. Our geographical situa-
ton with respect to Great Britain is
made the basis of denials and re-
strictions unheard of in the case of
dominions The smaller island must
give military safeguards and guar
antees to the larger and suffer IT.
self to be reduced to a position OF
helpless dependency.
obviously We are unable to urge
acceptance of such proposals on our
people. A certain treaty of free as
sociation with the British common
wealth group, as with a partial
league of nations, we would have
been ready TO recommend, and, as a
government. to negotiate and take
responsibility for, had we an assur-
ance that the entry of the nation as
a whole into such an association,
would secure for it the allegiance
of the present dissenting minority.
To meet those sentiments alone this
step could be contemplated.
Treaties dealing with proposals
for free intertrade and mutual limi-
tation of armaments we are ready
at any time to negotiate Also mu-
tual agreements concerning air
railway and other communications
! and generally for the smooth COM
mercial intercourse essential to both
nations But all such treaties and
agreements we would require sub
mitted for ratification, first to the
national legislature and afterwards
ito the Irish people. in a manner
showing their decision was a fret
decision and without any element
of military compulsion."
Would Arbitrate Debt
Mr.. De Valera offers to leave the
question of Ireland's share Of the
national debt to arbitxators. one eacf
to be appointed. by Ireland and
Great Britain and the third choser
by agreement or nominated, say
by the President of the United
States" He declares that the ques
tion between the political minority
and the great majority of the Irisl
people must be left for the Irisi
people themselves to settle.
I'VE cannot admit the right o.
the British government to mutilat'
our country, either in its own in
terests or at the call of any sec
ton of our population" the lette
continues.
I'VE do not contemplate the EN-
ployment of force. If your govern
ment stands aside we can effec
complete reconciliation. We agre
with you that no common action cal
be secured by force. Our regret
that this wise and true principl
which your government prescribes L
us for the settlement of our loca
problems it seems unwilling to appl
consistently TO the Fundamental
problem of the relations betweei
our island and yours.
''The principle we rely on on
case are ready to apply in the other
/ but should this principle not yield I
! immediate settlement we are willin
that this question, too, should be sub
/ mitted to external arbitration
Thus we are ready to meet 20
: in all that is reasonable and JUS
a The responsibility for initiating an
I effecting an honorable peace rest
4 primarily not with our governmen
but with yours. We have no condl
tions to impose. no claims to ad
vance, but the one that We be free
from aggression.
I'VE reciprocate with a sincerit
to be measured only by the terribl
sufferings our people have under
gone, the desire you express for
mutual and lasting friendship. Tn
sole cause of the ancient feuds yol
deplore has been, as history proves
the attacks OF the English rulers o.
Irish liberties. These attacks ca.
cease forthwith if your governmer
has the will.
, ''The road to peace and under
standing lies Open"
5 Lloyd Georges Reply.
Mr.. Lloyd Georges reply. whic
= was dated August 13. was as follow,
'-The earlier part of your letter
! so much opposed to our fundamer
o tai position that we feel bound I
. leave you in no doubt Of our NEAR
y ing. You state that after consul
8 ing your colleagues you confirm you
e declaration that our proposals al
4 such as the Dahl Eireann could M
and the Irish people would not a,
cept You add that the outline Z
y given by our draft is self contradb
+ tory and that the principle Of II
y pact offered you is not easy TO detel
: mine. We desire, therefore. TO mai
+ our position absolutely clear.
): TN our opinion nothing is to
e. gained by prolonging the theoretic
o discussion of the national stat
e which you may be willing to acceT
It as compared with that OF the gre,
" self governing dominions OF n
ie British commonwealth, but we mu
direct your attention to one poi
" on which you lay some emphas
In and on which no British COVER
De ment can compromise. namely, Il
claim we should acknowledge Il
s. right Of Ireland to secede from h
le allegiance to the King.
h mo such right can ever be a