Evening star., 1921-08-27
Ireland and England znseparuble,
Lloyd George Tells De Valera

tinues. Offered Ireland all that
OConnell and Thomas Davis asked
and more; we are met only by an un:
qualified demand that we should
It Is playing with phrases to Suggest
| that the principle of government by
consent of the governed compels
recognition of that demand on oul
part: or that in repudiating 1t we are
straining geographical and historical
| considerations to justify claim to as.
cendancy over the Irish race.
There is no political principle. how
ever clear. that can be applied with
out regard to limitations imposed by
physical and historical facts. Those
limitations are as necessary as the
very principles itself to the structure
of every free nation: to deny them
would involve the dissolution of all
democratic states. 1t was on these
elementary grounds that we called
the geographical propinquity of these
two islands. and Of their long and his.
Ioric association. despite the great
diHerence OF character Of the races.
Separation Impracticable.
We do not believe permanent rec.
0ncfliatfon between Great Britain and
ireland can ever be attained without
recognition of their physical and his
tor1cal interdependence, which makes
complete political and economic sepa-
ration fmpracticable for both.
II cannot better express the Brit
ish standpoint in this respect than
In the words used Of the northern
and southern states by Abraham Lin
coin In his first inaugural address.
They were spoken by him on the
brink of the American civil war.
which he was striving to avert:
Physically speaking he said. we
cannot separate. We cannot remove
tfHVn n
other now and build an impassable
wall between them. 1t is
impossible then to make that inter-
course more advantageous or more
satisfactory after separation than be-
fore. Suppose you go to war.
you cannot fight always; and when
after much loss on both sides and no
gain for either you cease fighting,
the identical old questions as to
terms of intercourse again are upon
you
Partnership Essential.
Il do not think it can reasonably
be contended that the relations be-
in any different case.
Il thought l had made it clear. both
in my conversation with you and in
my two subsequent communications,
that we can discuss no settlement
which involves a refusal on the part
a free, equal and loyal partnership
in the British commonwealth under
one sovereign.
Il am reluctant to precipitate this
issue, but just point out that pro-
longation of the present state of affairs
is dangerous. Action Is being taken in
various directions which. If continued.
would prejudice the truce and must
ultimately lead to its termination.
This would indeed be deplorable.
while therefore prepared to make
every allowance as to time which will
advance the cause of peace. We can
not prolong a mere exchange of notes.
1t is essential that some difinite and
immediate progress should be made
toward a basis upon which further
negotiations can usefully proceed.
Your letter seems to us. unfortunate
ly. to show no such progress.
"In this and my previous letters I
have set forth the considerations
which must govern the attitude of his
majesty's government in any negotia-
tions which they undertake. If you
are prepared to examine how far these
considerations can be reconciled with
the aspirations you represent. I shall
be happy to meet you and your COL
leagues. (Signed) LLOYD GEORGE"