New-York tribune., 1921-12-07
Comments OF
N. Y. Press ON
Irish Treaty
Striking Tribute to the
Sincerity and Good Sense
of Delegates OH Boil,
Sides,' View of Times
Blow to Politicians Here
for Peace
Founded i'm Justice and
Common Sense 'World'

The reaction OF tho NeW York
morning newspapers 10 the Irish
settlement Is Indicated in the foUoqo-
ing owce,pts:
Times
Sim Fein has abandoned its first cx-
treme position. On tho other hand,
the British government did not stickie
over mere ferns when il was getting
the substance. The whole Is strik-
ing tribute to the sincerity and good
sense Of the delegates on both sides.
II the meetings at 10 Downing
street had been open to the public,
with partisans admitted, the windows
would have been smashed and the whole
affair broken off long ago. AS 1t was,
the patience and resource of the Prime
Minister, combined with the practical
sense OF the Irish delegates 49, under
strong pressure, as the latter must
have been from the south Of Ireland
TO make peace-fnally triumphed.
one almost. feels like pausing to
drop tear over those who will feel
ike so many Othellos with their occu-
patton gone after the Irish question is
settled. Particularly will some politi-
Grams III this country lament that their
source of reputation and even Of 'livel-
ROOD has cruelty been taken from them
ssry when the general good demands
them; And nothing can really abate
the deep satisiaction with which the
entire world will receive the news that
at last English political genius has
found way to put term to evils in
the relations of ireland TO England
that have existed for moro than 700
years.
World
There is worldwide cause for rreat
rejoicing in the Irish settlement. 1t
Is an agreement for peace founded in
Justlce and common sense. II is q
treaty subscribed TO not under duress
on either side but in the spirit of sor-
bearance and conciliation.
The peace negotiations in London
seemed to have reached their darkest
hour when the terms of the settlement
were agreed upon. They had dragged
on for months, until final breakdown
had looked inevitable. Suddenly from
the conference chamber IN Downing
Street issued the news that the treaty
Of peace had been signed. The situa-
tion had never been hopeless, because
behind the British and Irish delegates
was the impctllng force Of the demand
OF the people Of Great Britain and
Ireland that the way be found to avert
further civil war.
In this Irish settlement the British
government has gone far beyond the
proposals laid down by Premier lloyd
George in his correspondence with Mr..
de Valera, and the Sim Fein delegates
also have receded from their extreme
agreement by compromise on details
but resting always on the fundamental
principle of Irish nationality and Irish
government.
Herald
Assuming that this is the end OF
seven centuries of her bitterness, Ire
land has much to thank King George
for. He saw, with an imperial vision
reminiscent OF his father the chance
that had come, the chance that was
slipping, the chance that might never
come again or come only after more
and futile years Of rebellion and blood
shed; and he reached out and took it.
As for Lloyd George, mono will mini
riize the task he undertook, the stub
bornness with which he persccuted it
or the wonderful patience he displayed
at trying moments.
Mr.. De Valera and his associates
most of them more Irish in blood and
characteristics than himself, must be
congratulated upon obtaining for Ire
land the status OF "free state"
Here, then, is victory in which none
is vanquished Here is the first real
peace in d war which has ragged for
centuries and spread far beyond the
islands Of the principals. 1t ought to
be encouraging to the whole world,
which seeks peace everywhere, to see
the seemingly impossible come true.