Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-18
SEEMINGLY A DEADLOCK.

1t all persons involved in the controversy main
tain their present position, the Irish situation is in
"a state of hopeless deadlock. The British govern
Iment offers a form of dominion home rule. but re-
peats its declaration that the separation of ireland
from the empire cannot be considered. It is further
declared that Ulster must not and shall not be CO.
ierced into union with the south of ireland. Ulster
has now in operation a form of parliamentary gov
iernment OF its own with which its leaders declare
st is satisfied. De Valera repeats his firm declara-
lions and those of his faction that nothing short Of
an independent form of government will be consid-
Tered, and that all Ireland must be included in what
ever arrangement is made. There we have the three
elements OF an irreconcilable controversy.
The one thing that may be regarded as certain
is that neither now nor at any other time which can
be toreseen will great Britain consent to the erection
|ot an independent nationality in Ireland, separate
i'm all respects from the empire. That declaration
has been made over and over again. 1t is true that
often recede from positions which. they
have held very tenaciously, but there has never been
the slightest indication that any British, govern
'ment would consent to the separation Of ireland
from the empire or that any government which in
Idlcated a Willingness to consent would endure for a
day. Ireland will be separated from the empire
only II those in favor Of that separation are able to
enforce it. The separation cannot be brought about
by negotiation or agreement. If accomplished at all,
ut must be by force of arms.
1t IS reasonably certain also that for some time
lat least Ulster will not unite with the rest of Ire
land IN any form OF general local government. The
llldl Cdl De expected IN this direction lS> that
II a satisfactory arrangement can be made between
the British government and the south of Ireland the
people of Ulster will in time develop a willingness
to associate themselves with their. neighbors in an
|all-lreland dominion government. That seems to
be impossible now and it will take time for this sit
Iuation to work itself out.
If the Sim Feiners really intend to insist on a
separate republic, it is difficult to. understand why
they entered into negotiations. on the subject. They
knew as everyone knows that no republic can be
reached by negotiation, and it seems to havesbee1
a waste of time to discuss plans which were to be
submitted which they knew in advance they would
and could not accept.
The position of the separatists must have been
weakened by the truce if only for a short time. The
people of the south Of Ireland have experienced a
state OF peace to which they have been strangers
for a long time and that condition is a welcome one
TO them. The rank and file Of the population do not
desire strife and turmoil. Whatever their political
sentiments may be, a resumption Of the former con
dltions would be decidedly unwelcorae to them. The
longer the truce continues, the more pronounced-is
likely to be the opposition to the resumption of the
state Of civil warfare and the stronger the demand
tor some arrangement which will give the people a
sense of security in their homes and in, their indus
tries.
The most rational explanation Of the attitude,
lot De Valera and his associates seems to be that
while talking strongly for a republic which they
have no hope Of realizing, they expect ultimately to
accept something less, and are merely maintaining
their unyielding attitude in order to force as many
concessions as possible from the British govern
|ment.