Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-12-07
May. Decide Within The
Month to Become Part of
Free State
ERIN AT LAST FREE
Struggle Which Has Lasted For 700
Years Is At Last Over-DOcuments
Signed.

London, Dec. 1.-THE reaction OF
Ulster to the peace protocol signed
by the British government and Sim
Fein representatives, and now wait
ing ratification by the British Par
lament and the Dali Eireann is dis
tinctly promising.
The Ulster cabinet, it is under
stood, considers the terms an i'm
provement over the previous condi-
tions laid down by Lloyd George.
For two hours the northern leaders
discussed the treaty, adjourning with
out definite action, to reconvene
again tomorrow. On Thursday
general meeting of northern leaders
will be called with British govern
ment officials in attendance, after
which Sir James Craig, the Ulster
premier will deliver his reply.
Throughout England there is pro-
found satisfaction and rejoicing at
what is believed to be lasting solu-
tion of the age-long strife between
Ireland and England.
Lord Birkenhead, the British lord
high chancellor, for the second time
in twenty-four hours, addressed a
British audience at Birmingham in
what may be considered the official
enunciation of the British govern
ment's views on the conclusion of
Lloyd Georges efforts He voiced
the opinion of all England when he
hailed the document as "the most
vital pronouncement from any Brit
ish cabinet in 240 years"
Great Britain is generally inclined
tonight to pay tribute to Premier
Lloyd George, who has added prob
sbiy tke greatest diplomatic triumph
to his parliamentary career. 7 7.
"He conceded nothing but what was
just" it is observed everywhere,
yet he retained definite, ironbound
oath of allegiance to. the king "and
all his heirs and successors as
we'll as holding Ireland firmly with
in the empire and preserving the IA
cilities for Great Britain's defense.
For Sin Fein it may be said that
although it renounces-for all time,
the government claims-its declara-
ton of complete independence, it
gains significant; advantage in COM
plete financial autonomy and the
implied right to raise an army.
Although in many instances the
treaty does not confer wider pow
ers than those already granted un-
der the home rule act Of 1920, 1t
does give enlarged financial pow
ers which practically remove the
southern nation from British taxa
tion-and this is considered one
of the biggest inducements to VI
ster to join. the free state, since
the north at present is subject to
the British income tax of six shil-
lings in the pound.
If Ulster refuses to join she will
be left to follow her own course.
If within a month after the ratifica-
cation of the treaty Ulster signifies
her desire to remain outside, and
exercise her existing powers, she
may do so.
1t is possible Of course, that Ul-
ster may challenge the solution on
numerous technical points, especial
" on the reetification of the boun>
diaries between the north and the
south. She may also object to the
clauses whereby the parliament OF
the Irish free state is empowered
to legislate for the whole OF lre>
land in cases where Ulster lacks
the power under the 1920 home rule
act, but it is believed the govern
ment intends to impose sufficient
safeguards on these points to sat
isfy. the northern leaders.