River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1921-08-25
De Valera Rejects the British
Offer and Dali Eireann
Debates the Plan.
PEACE OR WAR FOR IRISH?
BoIsheviks Haggling Over American
Relief Terms-Tax Revision Bill in
the House-Ansell, Hunt and
Cresson Accused of Con-
spiracy in BergdoIl Case.
BY EDWARD w. PIckARD.


Ireland occupied the center of the
world stage last week, and at this
writing it is uncertain whether she
will gain peace by accepting the Brit
ish governments offer of dominion
rule, or adopt the irreeoneilable attl-
tude of De Valera and the other Sim
Fein leaders and thereby probably
bring upon herself suicidal war with
Great Britain. In the closing days OF
the week Dali Eireann. the Sim Fem
parliament, was in secret session de-
batting the momentous problem. There
was slight chance that it would not
indorse De Valera's rejection of the
Lloyd George offer, and another
chance that the plan would be sub
mitted to plebiscite by which the
people of southern Ireland might in
struct their leaders to accept the do
minion rule offer.
1t was made evident that the Sim
Feiners were trying to bring Ulster in
TO accord with the South so that the
conversations with the British govern
ment might be renewed and possibly
a counter offer made to Lloyd George.
The attitude hitherto assumed by Sir
James Craig and his colleagues did
not promise well for the success of
that effort Indeed, Ulster has been
the stumbling block all through the
negotiations.
To the unprecedented mind the Brit
ish offer seems extremely liberal, CIV
ing to Ireland equal membership as
dominion in the British empire, with
full control of its finances, posts, army
and internal government, and demand
ing little except loyalty to the en-
pire, control Of the seas about Ireland
and certain military and aviation
rights. 1t was specified, also, that
coercion should not be employed
against Ulster, and De Valera has de-
clared southern Ireland can be brought
into an Irish dominion without the
use of force. He meant by the use
of the commercial boycott and SINH
lar measures, but General SHUTS Is
confident that time and experience
will bring about the same result ami
cably.
In addressing Dali Eireann, De
Valera declared Lloyd George had not
offered to Ireland the status of do
minion government, because no Ire
land was mentioned in the terms, only
two broken pieces of Ireland; and be-
Il int %l,n rio fn
secede, but Ireland must stay within
the empire whether or not it wishes
to do so. Said he: "Only on basis
of our recognition as an Irish repub-
lie will we deal with any nation or
foreign country whatever. The only
government the people of Ireland rec
ognfze is the ministry of the Dali
Eireann.
He bitterly scored the British gov
eminent, declaring it was practically
impossible to negotiate with it be-
cause of its lack of principle" and
cited the many inconsistencies" of
Lloyd George; but the reservations in
his speech, expressed and implied,
seemed to leave the way open for
further negotiations.
Although Lloyd George declared his
oft2r was the utmost the British gov
arRment could make it is just possible
i way may be found to satisfy the
irish principle of independence. Dub
IN correspondents call attention to
he fact that England already has
,rnrticaIlv recOanized the existence OF
he Irish republic by the dealings of
he premier with De Valera and in
nany other miner particulars. There
ore, they hold, Dali Eireann, instead
{ accepting Lloyd Georges proposals,
light offer the same terms to Great