Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-23
LONDON JOURNALS
L4UD KINGS SPEECH

London. June 23.-(By A. P.)--Re-
lief over the safe return of King George
and Queen Mary from Belfast was ex-
pressed by this mornings newspapers.
which also voiced appreciation of their
courage in making the trip to the Irish
city to open the Ulster Parliament
Editorials warmly approved the Kings
address, especially his plea that the
Irish forgive and forget, and join in
making for the land they love a new
WILL"
The Daily News. however. strongly
criticized the Government which framed
the speech for simultaneously making
a mockery and reproach of these moving
words by Its decision to send more
troops to the south Of Ireland.
The London Times dcnounces the
Government for 'dashing all hopes by
decreeing intensified warfare in ireland
b the bitter end" II accuses the
Government Of failing to play the game
with the King. who was said to have
done all be could.
Belief was strongly expressed by some
papers that the opening of the Ulster
Parliament might lead eventually to
the harmonious establishment of Par
lament for united Ireland. Commcn-
tators reasserted that to grant full in
dependence to Ireland was utterly i'm
possible" but they declared that Great
Britain was entirely willing to allow
the Irish to manage their own affairs in
their own way.
What purported to be a copy of a
letter Field Marshal Sir Henry Hughes
Wilson, chief of the Imperial General
Staff sent TO Prime Minister Lloyd
George. giving his reasons for not ac-
cepting the Premier's invitation TO at
tend yesterdays opening of the Ulster
Parliament was circulated today in
Irish quarters here. The Field Mar
shal's reasons for declining TO go to
Belfast were given as follows:
Being the senior officer of the Brit
ish Army. do not think IL right or
proper for me to be present, In view
OF the fact the Government appears de-
termincd to increase its pressure on
the south and west Of Ireland to bring
the Sim Fein rebellion to an end, and
that orders for oil troops to go over will
emanate from me, think, perhaps, it
would bring politics into the army IL
as preliminary to ordering thousands of
troops over to crush the rebellion, 7 was
seen to take part in the opening of the
Northern Parliament"
DuDlui, June <O'-'pl "A, L, l-tOlls
menting upon the address of King
George at the opening of Ulster Par.
lament at Belfast Yesterday. the Irish
Times said this morning: IF Southern
Irishmen will allow themselves to think
soberly we may hope yesterdays events
at Belfast will begin Immediately to
improve the prospects of peace. Hence
forward no Irishman who is not fool
or q fanatic can ignore the significance
OF the Northern Parliament"
"a truce is called for by the King,
declared the Freeman's journal. This
!. essential in order that the Kings
appeal should be listened to, and a
fair field be given to peacemakcrs to
realize his desires, which are equally
the desires of the Irish nation"
"a division in Ireland is fostered by
Gr.at Britain for her own ends, says
the Irish Independent. If there was
honesty in British politics, If members
OF the Kings cabinet desired 10 apply
TN. principle of statesmanship, and
not force remedy, strife would be
ended and discomfort would be allayed
IN Ireland"