New-York tribune., 1921-12-14

that so complete a partition of Ireland
as you propose must initiate with in
creasing force against that ultimate
unity which you yourself hope will one
day be possible. The existing state of
Central and Southeastern Europe is a
terrible example OF the evils which
spring from the creation Of new from
tiers, cutting the natural circuits of
commercial activity. But when once
such frontiers arc established, they
harden into permanence.
Your proposals would stereotype a
frontier based neither upon natural
features nor broad geographical con
siderations. by giving it the character
tion on these lines the majority of the
Irish people will never accept, nor
could we conscientiously attempt to
enforce it. 1t would be fatal to the
purpose of lasting settlement, on
which these negotiations from the very
outset have been steadily directed.
"We cannot finally overlook the effect
of your proposal upon the welfare of
the minorities in both southern and
northern Ireland. In both parts of Ire
land there are considerable communi-
ties cut off from the majority there, to
whom they are bound by faith, tradi-
ton and natural affinity. The majority
in southern Ireland have strong sense
of responsibility for their co-religion-
lists IN the six counties. The minority
there have an equal interest in your
sympathy and support.
"The considerations which have out
lined make free interchange of ideas
between us essential, and we sincerely
trust that you will not persist in max
\, ,roIi Iit,,tr
ters which can only properly be ex-
plored in conference. I hope, there
fore, that you will come and see ME
at your earliest convenience"
Condition Cannot Be Conceded
Sir James Craig replied on November
II:
you express regret that my col
leagues and | have found it impossible
to meet in formal conference so long
as your proposal that we should agree
to the establishment of an all-Ireland
parliament was open to discussion. To
enter conference under such condi-
ton would, in our. view, be dishonest,
since we know that in no circum stances
would Ulster accept such position, in
volving permanent subordnation to the
Sim Fein. We are strongly convinced d
that it would only tend to make a set
tlement more difficult and encourage
false hopes, if even by implication we
discussed a condition which cannot be
conceded
I'm your letter of the 10th instant
you indicated an alternative, but have
made no mention Of the course sug-
gested in our reply We urge that ii
you resolve upon complete fiscal sep
aration of Ireland from the rest of the
United Kingdom. the same equality of
treatment as between northern and
southern Ireland should be maintained
IN dealing with reserved services, as
has been pursued with regard to serv-
ices already transferred. You now
mention various objections to our pro
posal and suggest that Ulster would be
led to economic ruin il she separated
from southern Ireland.
Oppose Separate Irish Currency
you apparently overlook the fact
that your proposal to break the fiscal
unity of the United Kingdom would
involve the fiscal separation Of Ulster
from Great Britain, with which 80 pei
cent of her trade is directly or indi-
rectly conducted. Can it be doubted
that more harmonious trade relations
would result between Great Britain and
Ulster by the control of these matters
being in our hands, rather than in the
hands of an all-Ireland parliament dom
mated by the Sim Fein, which during
the last twelve months has enforced 2
trade boycott against northern Ire
land?
CAS- to the question of currency, we
view with grave concern your propose
to establish a separate Irish currency