Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-09-05
Demand Recognition OF lnde.
pendence And End OF
Force Policy
WOULD ARBITRATE
De Valera's Reply Held AZ Adding
To Grave Situatiou-Aslist Set
Aside Threats

London, Sept. 3.-GaHbnn Dc
Valera has once moro "trreVo ably
rejected Lloyd Georges gproposals
for Irish dominion home rI e as a
basis for peace .cgitiationS and has
again demanded "lecognitia1 of Ire
lands independ :Lce and aT abolition
of the policy OF force" as the only
preliminary grounds upon which he
will treat with tie British govern
men.
The rravest view 4 the situation
IS taken by some government offic-
ials.
"This reply" SAID member of
the Downing Street circle removes
the only basis upon which future
conversations could have been held,
in that it refuses absolutely the
proffered dominion status, and in
sists upon complete separation. 1t
looks as though the "gunmen doctrin-
aires" were on top once more.
The De Valera rota does not ac-
tunally break off negotiations with
the British government. In fact,
in its concluding paragraph. It re-
cites a Willingness to appoint plen
ipotentiaries' if Lloyd George will
concede Ireland's independence from
Great Britain.
De Valera agrees that definite
and immediate progress is essential
if Irish peace is to be attained.
81 therefore refrain from COM
menting upon the fallgcious histor-
ical references You made IN your
last communication f" he declares.
"The people of Ireland" De Va
lera continues, acknowledging no
voluntary union with Great Britain
and claiming as a fundamental and
natural right to choose freely for
themselves the paths they are to
take to realize ;heir national des-
tiny, have, by an overwhelming ma
iority declared for independence,
and have set up a republic. They
have been more than once confirmed
this choice. ;,
"Great Britain, on the other hand,
acts as though Ireland were bound t.
hor by contract IN union which for
bids separation. The circumstances
of the supposed contract are suf-
fciently notoriucs, yet on the
theory that they are valid, the Brit
ish government claims the right to
rule and legislate for Ireland even
to the point Of partionine Irish
territory against tnc will of the Irish
people. killing and casting into
prison every Irish citizen who re-
fuses allegiance. ;" :,
De Valera goes = to say that the
PROPOSALS submitted on July 20 were
based or just three premises.
eve have rejec"el those propos...
ais, and our rejection is irrevccable,' y
he declared.
The claim is made by the Irish
President that Lloyd Georges pro-
posais were not an invitation to en-
ter into a free partnership with the
nations of the British common
wealth. but the offer of status
"defini.ely inferior" The other DO,
minions he sets up, are guaranteed
against domination not only by
their constitutional rights but also
bv their distance from England.
Ireland. on the other hand, he point,
ed out, has neither 4he constitutional
nor the element of distance to
protect her. but would be divided into
two artificial states "each destruc-
tive or the others influence, and Eothl
subject to British military, naval and
economic control.
"The main historical and geopragh-
ical facts cannot he disputed" De
Valera writes, "but Great Britain IN
sits on viewing them from her, own
standpoint. Ireland must be allowed
to view them from hers. ;.
"The history you interpret as die
tating union, we read as debating
We are convinced tnas
ours is the true nd Just interpret
ton and are willing that ren;
trail and impartial arbitrator should
"You refuse and threaten force;
Our reply is: If you adopt that
course, we can only resist as genera
lions before use resisted.
"Sever hundred and fifty years
of history prove that force will not
solve the problem.