The Washington herald., 1921-09-04

the argument that the conditions con-
- tanned in the British proposal deny the
Irish people their complete independence; that the
fact OF geographical propinquty and British strategic
interest not just grounds for the subodlnaton
OF Irelands independence; and that peace can be Sc
curet only on the broad guiding principle Of govern
men. by the consent Of the governed" In his reply
Premier Lloyd George pointed out that Mr.. De Va
Ieras note seemed to assume that discussions had
already taken place and to ignore the fact that in
these previous discussions the premier had made it
clear that settlement could be discussed which IN
volved "a refusal the part of Ireland to accept
free. equal and loyal partnership in the British COM
monwealth under one sovereign. With regard TO
the contention that the British refusal to treat ireland
separate sovereign power is inconsistent with the
principle of government by the consent Of the gov
erned Mr.. Lloyd George argued that there is no
political principle however clear, that can be applied
without regard limitations imposed by physical
and historical facts. These limitations are as neces-
sary the very principle itself to the structure OF
every free nation; deny them would involve the
dissolution of all democratic states" In conclusion
the premier pointed out that it necessary that
the negotiations should make progress than Mr..
De Valeras note showed, if these negotiations are to
continue. He declared himself ready, however, to
meet the Irish leaders if they prepared to at
tempt reconcile their aspirations with the funda-
mental attitude OF the British government.
Since this interchange OF notes the Irish leaders
have made no announcement which would indicate
the nature of the reply they will make In unofficial
circles confidence is expressed that direct negotiations
with Mr. Lloyd George will be renewed. If this
proves to be the case, it would seem that the Dali
was prepared to negotiate the basis Of Irelands
acceptance of "free. equal and loyal partnership in
the British commonwealth" Or in other words that
they ready to recognize the realities OF the situ-
alton and perhaps accept the wise and statesman
like policy which Cen Smuts urged them adopt
in his letter Mr. De Valera In this letter it will be
recalled, Gen. Smuts wrote: "....... do not con-
slider one single clean solution of the Irish ques
ton possible at present. You will have to pass
through several stages, of which free constitution
for Southern ireland the first and the inclusion Of
Ulster and full recognition of Irish unity will be the
last Only the first stage will render the last possible
To the process and to begin with Irish unity
as the first step is to imperil the whole settlement.
Irish unity should be the ideal to which the whole
process should be directed..... Freedom will lead
inevitably to unity. AS to the form of that free
DOM here too, you cald upon to choose between
two alternatives To you, you say, republic is the
true exprcssion-of national sedetermination, but it
is the only expression, and it is expression
which your final and irrevocabe severance
from the British league, and this you know,
the Parliament and people of this country will not
agree"
1t would that in view of the past and the
present situation, the soundncss and wisdom of Gen.
Smuts' advice must be recognized by those who hold
Irclands future in their hands. 1t is not to be
peced that the present members of the Dali Eireann
will take the responsibility of modification of it
since they have taken oaths the "rcpublic but it
is surely to be hoped that they will not take the
respon sibity OF finally refusing the dominion status
without referring the whole question to the Irish
people