South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-15
DE VALERA,s REPLY.

DE VALERA'S REPLY.
LONDON. Aug. 14.-On Aug. 10,
Eamonn De Valera addressed the
following communication to Mr..
Lloyd George:
Sir: On the occasion Of our last
interview, / gave II as my judgment
that Dali Eirann could not, and the
Irish people would not, accept the
/ proposals of your government, set
forth in daft July 90. Having con-
versed with my colleagues and with
them given these proposals most
earnest consideration, I now confirm
that judgment.
THE outline given in the draft is
self-contradictory and the principles
of the pact not easy to determine.
The extent that 1t implies recognition
of Ireland's separate nationhood and
her right to characterization we
appreciate it and accept it.
Principles Set.
But in the stipulation and express
conditions concerning vital matters
the principles are strangely set aside
and the claim OF your governments
interference in our affairs is a condi-
ton we cannot accept.
'Ireland's right to choose for her
self the path she shall take to realize
her own destiny must be accepted as
indefensible 1t is a right that has
I been maintained through centuries of
oppression, and the cost Of unparal-
leled sacrifices and untold suffering.
/ 70 Oh to -
! impair it nor can Great Britain or
any other foreign state or group Of
states claim TO interfere with its ex-
ercise in order to serve their own
special interests"
Like the small states of Europe.
the Irish people are prepared to
/ hazard their independ on the
basis Of moral right, confident that
as they would threaten no nation or
people they would in turn be free
from ACCESSION themselves, De Va
/ lera continued.
Ireland's Policy.
Asserting that this is the policy
that Irishmen have declared for in
plebiscite after plebiscite. Mr.. De
/ Valera continues:
LAS for myself and my colleagues
/ our relations that our true friend
ship which England, with military
coercion has frustrated for centuries,
/ can be obtained most readily now
| through amicable but absolute sepa-
ration. The fear which we believe
! groundless, that Irish territory may
/ be used as the basis for attacks upon
] - = l. 49,
reasonable guarantees not inconsist-
ent with Irish sovereignty"
Mr.. De Valera declares that the
dominion status for Ireland is illu-
sorry He says the freedom with
British dominions enjoys is less the
result Of legal enactments or trea-
| ties than TIE immense distances
which separate them from Great
Britain and make interference by
Great Britain impracticable.
Provision Necessary.
1.-The most explicit guarantees, in
/ GLIDING the dominiOn's acknowledge
ed right to secede," Mr.. De Valera
| said. would be necessary to secure
for Ireland an equal degree of free
dom. TheSe is 20 suggestion, how
ever, in the proposals made Of any
sucn guarantee.
Instead the national position -
| reversed. Our geographical situation
with respect TO Great Britain is
made the basis of denials and re-
strictions unheard OF in the case Of
/ dominions The smaller island must
give military safeguards and guar
antees TO the larger and suffer itself
to be reduced TO a position Of help
less dependency.
! obviously we are unable to urge
acceptance OF such proposals upon
our people. A certain treaty OF
free association with the British
commonwealth we would be ready
10 recommend and as a government
TO negotiate and take responsibility
for had we an assurance that the
entry OF the nation as a whole into
such an association would secure
for it the allegiance of the present
dissenting majority. To meet those
sentiments alone this step could be
contemplated.
Ready for Plans.
Treaties dealing with proposals
for free inter-trade and mutual lin
itation OF armament. We are ready.
at any time, TO negotiate. Also NUT
ual agreements concerning air. rail-
way and other communications and
generally for the smooth CONNER
cial intercourse essential 10 both
nations, but all such treaties and
agreements We would require sub
mitted for ratification, first 10 the
national legislature aand afterwards
TO the Irish people, in a manner
showing that their decision was a
I free decision and without any ele-
ment Of military compulsion."
Mr.. De Valera offers 10 leave the
question OF Ireland's share OF the
national debt TO arbitrators, each
one 10 be appointed by Ireland and
Great Britain and the third chosen
by agreement "or nominated, say.
by the president of the United
States" He declares that the ques-
ton between the political minority
and the great majority OF the Irish
people must be left for the Irish
people themselves 10 settle.
I'VE cannot admit the right OF the
British goveEment TO mutilate ou-
= country. eithA> IN its own interests