The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-22
Fate of Ireland Now
 Rests With DeValcra

Rests With DeValcra IT N an editorial entitled, "No Tim < For Bluffing," the New Tor, Times warns DeValera against wha seems, to be his policy in dealin, with the British government. Hay ing taken the position that she ha made the utmost concessions to Ire land, Great Britain can go no fur ther without subjecting herself t, the identical charge now being mad against DeValera.
 In spite of Devslera's high tone
 and uncompromising language
 there seems to be confident be-
 lief in London, and even in Dub lin, that the Irish negotiation will
 so on until an agreement is
 reached. This would Imply that
 
 his extremist followers to the top
 of their bent for the time being
 or that he is trying to play
 shrewd game with Lloyd George.
 Either course would be danger
 ous. In particular 1t would be hazardous for Deyalera to at
 tempt political tricks with the
 most adroit and resourceful poli-
 tician of his day.
 Consider what Lloyd George
 has already done and what he
 may do next. He has solidified
 English opinion in opposing sepa-
 ration for Ireland. By publish
 ing the official correspondence he
 has detached from Sim Fcin the
 sympathies of the outside world, If the British terms are rejected, outright. the general verdict will be that the Irish have shown themselves unreasonable and inn
 possible. That occasion Lloyd George might eagerly seize to
 bring on general election on , the issue of keeping Ireland ' within the empire. Its result could not be in doubt. The prime
 minister would emerge stronger than ever politically, and Sim
 Fein more isolated and hopeless.
 Decidedly. Lloyd George is not
 a man for Devalera to endeavor to circumvent. He is the sort of enemy to agree with quickly. whilst in the way with him, It IS to be hoped that Devalera's more sagacious advisers will Impress this fact upon him in these crit ical days.
 The Times opinion of Lloyc Georges political adroitness is shared by most of the statesmen anc diplomats who have come in contact with him, not excluding Woodrow Wilson. The British premier has made his position so strong that i, will not be weakened, but on the contrary will be made stronger whether DeValera accepts or rejects his offer. If Ireland refuses what a large part of the world considers to be fair and reasonable proposals t will stand, as the Times point. put, practically alone. And such .ourse would doubtless solidify tht hitherto divided sentiment of thu British empire behind the govern ment. On the other hand, if Lloyt George succeeds in his negotiations with the Sim Fein leader he will iettle one of the gravest crises the British government has ever had Eo face and will 'end controversy bhat has ragged with savage bitter 1ess for centuries. Such an achieve nent would place him on the top most pinnacle of British statesman ship and make his name immortal smorg British premiers.
 It may be that DeValera, despite kis ancestry, is using the tactics 3f Americas great indoor pastime poker. It is not improbable that his atest speeches were intended large " for home consumption. That i' n old trick in diplomacy.
 Devalcra is now in the position where he can save Ireland or con