The New York herald., 1921-01-09
Labor Is n Potent Factor.

Labor Is n Potent Factor.
Another, but not less potent, factor
was the mobilizing of labor on the side
Of Ireland. The issuance of the damn
ing report of the labor deputation sent
to Ireland to investigate stories of the
terror there had a tremendous effect
on organized industrial opinion, and
we are on the eve of a whirlwind
campaign wherein all the leaders OF
the Labor party in England will take
part. This fact, coupled with the Lib
eral movement, threatens the very life
of the Government. Too, it points to
common action between the Liberal
and Labor sections. and If this once
takes place the days of the Govern
ment will be numbered, for the Coali-
ton only survives by reason of the
hostility of those two sections of lib
eral opinion.
Mr. Lloyd George is acutely aware
Of all this, and the secret conversa-
tions entered into before Christmas
marked a decisive change in the direc-
ton of the wind. Archbishop Clune's
intervention correspondence with
Father O'Flanagan (acting president
Of the Sim Fein) must now be read in
connection with the sudden return Of
De Valera. 1t is not possible in the
light of events to regard this as acci-
dental 1t has much more the appear
ance of being part of a prearranged
plan. De Valera appears at the crucial
moment to take up the task where the
Archbishop, having prepared the at
mosphere, leaves It.
This is my reading of this weeks
sensation. 1t may be wrong, but I
think it will be found to be accurate.
My impression is that the basis of a
settlement has been discussed. and
each side knows what the other will
accept. With some knowledge of the
facts I venture to forecast that an
agreement will be reached
The key to the Irish position is fin
ancial independence The key to the
English position is security. Both
things involve surrender, but 1 think
that both sides are in a mood for sur
render. | do not fancy that the Sim
! Fein will stand out against the par
tition of Ulster if they get full finan-
cial independence for the other
twenty-siX counties.
believe that with that independ-
ence secured, the union of Ulster with
the rest of Ireland under a common
Parliament will be only a matter of
time. The financial loss to England
would be small in comparison with the
cost of the present shameful state of
things, and the gain of a friendly IRE
land would be incalculable. Nor could
Ulster offer any ground for objection.
for her Parliament would share in the
financial independence of the Dublin
Parliament.
Also in so far as security is con-
cerned, / think 1t will be found that
the Sim Feiners are prepared to give
all the guarantees regarding naval and
other matters that will satisfy the
reasonable fears of English opinion.
Nothing is less likely than that Ire
land, with a small population, limited
resources and respect for her pocket,
will want to use her liberty to waste
money on naval and military pro-
grammes.
have tried not to put my eXpecta-
tions OF this weeks developments in
too sanguine terms There may be "a
Niger in the woodpile" yet. We who
love Ireland and have for thirty-five
years fought to wipe out this blot on
the English Government have met
with too many disappointments to
cultivate confidence in even the most
rose colored outlook. But we rejoice
in the new hope that has come with
this new year. We believe that the
shame Of the last six months has Bit
ten deep into all hearts and that a
great act of reconciliation at last is
within the immediate stage of prac-
tical achievement.