The Washington times., 1921-08-26
IRISH SEEK
WAR LOAN
|NAMER|CA
CONTINUED from First Page.)


government" says the document. 1t
adds further on:
However. II on a broad basis peace
can be secured. we are willing to APP
point negotiators."
De Valera said he had interpreted
Premier Lloyd Georges letter of July
Is as meaning that the Sim Fein was
asked to accept the principle that the
geographical propinquity of England
and ireland imposed upon ireland sub
ordination to the precedence of Great
Britains strategetic interests.
II cannot believe" continued De
Valera's message. that your govern
ment intended to commit itself to the
principle of sheer militarism. which
is destructive to international moral
fty and fatal to the worlds peace.
IF small nations have their right
TO independence forfeited when more
powerful neighbors covet their terri.
tory for military advantages. there IL
an end to liberty, and no longer can
any small nation claim the right to
separate, sovereign existence"
The British cabinet was summoned
TO meet today to consider the Sim
Fcin's communication rejecting the
English peace offer. While the Irish
answer is understood to be blunt in
tone. Government officials were hope
full that the negotiations will be con-
tinued.
No Reference to Republic.
One optimistic feature was the re-
port from Dublin that the letter avoids
any reference to the previous demand
for an Irish republic
40 Nala he
lish proposals, but wishes to continue
the negotiations" said the parlia-
mentary correspondent of. the Daily
Chronicle. His letter is by no means
satisfactory"
The British viceroy Of ireland, Lord
Titzallen, was summoned to London
to confer with Premier Lloyd George
and Sir Hamar Greenwood, chief sec
rotary for Ireland.
Lord Fitzalan called upon Premier
Lloyd George just before the cabinet
met.
II is learned from an authoritative
source that there is a strong section in
England demanding that the British
rejoinder to de Valera's communica-
ton be In the form Of an ultimatum
fixing time limit for acceptance of
the principle of the English peace Of
fer by the Sim Fem. 1t is charged
that the Irish republican army is talk
ing advantage of the truce to reor-
gantze.
Emphasizes Rights.
De Valera emphasized the rights
of small nations" His communication
continues:
Holland and Denmark can be made
subservient to Germany. Belgium
could be made subservient to Germany
or France. Portugal could be over
awed by Spain. and so on. To speak
of Ireland seeding from a partnership
she has never accepted. and from an
allegiance she has never undertaken
TO render. Ii fundamentally false, Just
,s the claim that we must subordinate
our Independence to the interests OF
British strategy Is fundamentally I'M
just.
III the refusal to betray our nations
honor be made an issue for war with
Great Britain. we should deplore 1t.
We are conscious of responsibilities
toward the living just as we are mind
full of obligations to our heroic dead.
We never sought and we do not seek
war, but II war is made upon us, we
must defend ourselves.
Holds Britain Responsible.
II shall remain confident that.
whether our defense is successful or
unsuccessful, nobody-no representa-
tive 1rishman or Irish woman-wtll
ever propose that the nation surrender
it's birthright.
I'VE long for the end of the conflict.
II your government Is determined to
impose its will by force and antece-
dent negotiations and insists upon
conditions involving the whole of our
nations position. II would make these
negotiations a mockery and the re-
sponsibiity for the conflict then would
rest with you"
The Sim Fem reply wound up as
follows:
"On tho basis Of the broad prin-
odple, that ours is a government with
the consent OF the governed, peace
Is possible and can be secured-a
paece which is just and honorable to
all and fruitful of concern and en-.
during amity.
ITO negotiate such a peace Dali
Elreann Is ready to appoint repre-
sentatives, and IL your government
accepts this principle to invest them
with plenary powers to meet and ar
range application and details"
ID ~ . L.