The New York herald., 1921-12-14
ell STER BOWS ONLY TO KING,
#,SAYS ITS PREMIER IN NOTES


with surprise they find the question oi
allegiance to the throne and member
ship in the British Empire included
among the heads Of your proposals
inasmuch as it has moro than once
been unequivocal1y stated by yourself
in the published correspondence with
representatives of southern ireland thai
these two fundamentals were not oper
for discussion.
"The Government OF northern ireland
having made their own position clear,
hold that the attitude OF southern Ire
land toward these points Is n matter
which. as it affects the solidarity of the
empire, rests with his Majesty's Min
listers te decide.
Sir James expressed surprise that
Mr.. Lloyd George should think II
necessary to emphasize that he did not
intend to take away any Of the powers
given as recently as last year, and
continued:
I'VE observe with considerable con-
cern that the area within the 1uIisdic-
ton OF the northern Parliament is re-
ferred TO as being open to possible revi-
sion. This question was very carefully
and fully considered in all Its aspects
when the Government of Ireland aci
(accepted by northern Ireland) was I'M
The area finally decided upon was de-
fined In the act and 1t forms no less
essential part of the act than the
powers conferred upon the northern
Parliament.
Doubts Paper Safeguards.
"rhe Government OF northern Ireland
consider it their duty, in order to avoid
a misunderstanding, to say that their in
ability to accept an all Ireland Parlia-
ment does not depend merely on the
question of safeguards in regard to ad-
mlnistrative details. They are certain
that no paper safeguards could protect
them against maladministration. The
feelings of the loyal population OF Ulster
are so pronounced, so universal. on this
point that no Government representing
that population could enter any confer
ence where this point Is open to discus
sion.
"For these reasons they feel CON-
pelied to state that any discussion would
be fruitless unless his Majesty's Minis
ters consent to the withdrawal Of the
proposal for an all Ireland Parliament.
His Majesty's Ministers assume that
the only alternative to such arrange
ment Is that, while the status of q do
minion should be given southern Ire
land, northern Ireland would remain
part Of the United Kingdom, with the
essential corollary OF representation in
the Imperial Parliament, and certain
financial and other disadvantages which
northern Ireland, as compared with
southern Ireland, would suffer under
such arrangement are pointed out.
There Is another alternative. 1t Is
that reserved powers, instead of being
intrusted to common authority, should
be conferred on the governments OF
southern and northern Ireland within
the areas of tbs ir respective jurfsdic-
tions. The principle underlying the act
of 1920 was equality of status and
powers for the two governments in Ire
land, and this principle should in the
opinion Of the Government of northern
Ireland be observed In the transfer OF
reserved services.
1T is realized that IL the alternative
here suggested were adopted the contri.
button Of northern Ireland, as also
southern ireland, to the cost Of imperial
services would be voluntary, as in the
case of the overseas 0omfnions. The
proved loyalty of northern Ireland to the
British Empire is sufficient guaranty
she would not evade this obligation. and
the Government or Northern Ireland are
convinced that by this plan the imperial
exchequer would have better security
for a contribution than from an all Ire.
land Parliament the majority OF whose
members would not likely be animated
by sentiments OF affection for Great
Britain.
ut viii be seen, therefore. that the