Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-12-15

Assuming the acceptance by southern Ireland
OF the plan of government approved by the London.
Conference, the question of the future Of Ulster be-
comes one OF great importance to the people Of Ire
land and the United Kingdom. 1t is impossible to
read the statement made by Premier Lloyd George
of the disadvantages which would arise should
Ulster be given a status separate at once from the
rest of Ireland and from the United Kingdom, with
out being impressed by it's force. Ireland is nat
urally one country, and to divide it into two would
be creating artificial divisions which have no foun-
dation except in a series Of prejudices which the
people of both sections ought to be able to out
grow. During the past few years, we have wit
messed the creation of a number of little nations
with separate entities, whose continued and sue
cessful existence is very problematical. The carv-
ing up Of Europe into small principalities has per-
haps been necessary for the time being. But I'm
less grave reasons to the contrary exist, we may
expect before long to see some of these little ma
tons united in some form of federation or in some
other manner whereby the liberty Of all sections
and groups may be observed and under which also
there can be a stronger and more stable govern
ment, less burdensomc expense. and the building
of nations OIL a more dignihed scale than is posi-
BILE if the present alignment is continued. These
considerations apply in the case OF Ireland, and
while the British government is willing to accept
a southern Irish nation. constituting the greater
part of the population Of the island, it is not willing
to duplicate this in half a dozen counties in the
northern corner.
Aside from the general unadvisability of Gre
at1ng little nations without due cause, there is to
be considered the series of complications which
would arise were customs barriers established be-
tween northern and southern Ireland. There is
no natural division between the two sections. An
imaginary line. would have to be drawn, across
which it would be necessary for people to travel
constantly. The temptations to smuggling and
other illegal practices would be numerous. Bands
Of armed guards would be necessary along both
sides Of the line, and under the tension of feeling
which has existed for some time past, armed en-
counters would likely be a frequent occurrence.
Under these circumstances the creation of what
would amount to a separate nation in northern Ire
land is not to be considered.
The future of Ulster seems to lie very clearly
IN one Of two possible directions. Either the pro-
vince will become united with the rest of Ireland
IN an all-lreland government with a separate north
crn Irish legislature for the management of purely
northern Irish domestic affairs, if such should be
agreed upon, or the retention by Ulster of some
thing approximating its present status as an in
tegral part Of the United Kingdom, with represent
atives at Westminster, and the tax system of the
United Kingdom spread over it as we'll as over the
nelghboring British isles. One Of these plans is
practically certain to result from the present nego-
t1ations. The separation under practically indie
pendent forms OF government of the two sections
would lead to untold complications and might very
easily precipitate between the two sections a civil
war more horrible than anything that has vet &C.
curredsin Ireland.