The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-31
ULSTER IS KEY ID. ANY AGREEMENT ON. THE IRISH QUESTION
De Valera and Sir James Craig Taking Counsel With Respective FolIowingS in
 Dublin and Belfast
By GEORGE \. BARNES
 Former Member British Cabinet Special Wireless to The AEe-Hernid (CopyriKht. 1921. by The AEe-Heraldl


 London, July 3o.--(Special. )--The solution of the Irish question lies today with Ulster.
 Eamonn De Valera and Sir James Craig still are taking counsel with their respective followings at Dublin and Belfast on the proposals which have been submitted for settlement.
 The difficulties will be found to have hinged mainly around fiscal au- tonomy and to have brought up curious play of interest and senti- ment. Even if fiscal autonomy Is conditioned by considerable Irish contribution In liquidation of war debt burdens, taxes in Ireland would | still be lighter than those at present l levied there in common with other parts of the United Kingdom. 1 Would Get Relief
 Both north Ireland and south would get relief. A separate administration would involve an internal division with all the loss, confusion and irri- taton incidental thereto. Listers interest would appear to lie In the di rection of inclusion in a common ad- l ministration of fiscal autonomy, 1 whereas her present Inclination Is probably in favor of separate admin istration if not of exclusion. l Will she while retaining her pres l ent status and powers agree to inclu- sion and fiscal unity for the sake of | peace and efficiency? She would lose nothing thereby and by agreeing would go far to satisfy that condi l ton of essential unity" laid down | 2 a 1 in any settlement
 Or, if Ulster stands out for the mo- ment on her presetn powers and status without further power respect l ing finance, is De Valera content to walt until io.sic and the lure of lower taxation brings Ulster into line? Or. | finally, can sufficient pressure be ap 1 piled from London to induce both north and south to be reasonable. | Gen. Jan c. Shuts, is at the moment in Ireland engaged In an effort tt accommodation and it will be found that the crux of the question lies within the alternatives set out above. Prime Minister Lloyd George has gone | far to meet the predilections of both sections of Ireland and he has had the support of all parties and sections ol England.
 1 It Is true there have been some l protests. The Morning Post has ap- | pealed to old prejudices and two con servitive members of Parliament have cast off allegiance to the coalition | government But these bulletions only serve to emphasize the general concurrence of the British people Tn favor of an effort being made to ex- i plore every possible avenue of es- cape from a conflict of which. they are thoroughly sick and tired as wei. as little ashamed.
 Lloyd George has the support of the nation and especially the whole hearted backing of the liberal labor and advanced parties generally in the | political world. If only the Irish. | north and south, would but do their part, there could now be launched upon the ocean of history new era of peace and good will. Imperial Conference
 The British imperial conference. | though little noticed during the last l few weeks, has nevertheless had an important formative influence upon world events. In the early days of the conference the speeches were | made public. The proceedings on the | whole bear a close relation to what has happened in transatlantic af- | fairs.
 E ment, for instance. on the desirabil- ity of complete understanding with | the United States regarding current | world problems. How to achieve that | understanding presents difficulties, | but it has been shown that there is | on the part of Great Britain and the | dominions a sincere desire to over come them.
 The outlook on world problems Is i much the same on both sides of the Atlantic and Great Britain and the United States might form a bloc of tremendous potency for world peace. It Is true there are dangers from Russia and Germany in which Amer ica Is not directly concerned. but In a world welter of petty parochialism and crude insurgence bequeathed by | the war, the English speaking peo- pies could at least contribute to the maintenance of peace in the Pacific if there was a common understand ing
 Germany Is Willing
 Fortunately In this regard the de- Alterations of the London conference E and the resulting statements of Brit ish ministers have harmonized and synchronized with events in the United States. Great Britain, no longer confronted with an autocratic and militant Germany. has declared contentment with a one power stand ard navy and readiness to enter into friendly discusSon and settlement of far easrern problems.
 The ornaments question, thanks to President Hardng's invitation, is emerging at last into the realm of practical politics. There is. there- fore, the prospect of some relief from the burdens the world has been l. carrying. The conference of British Empire representative is entitled to T some credit for having contributed II to that happy result
 c IT.