The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-17
Dali EIREANN
WILL REJECT
PEACE TERMS
DE Valera Declares Offer Of
Dominion Status Refused
Flags Terms Of British Pro-
posal.
WIPES OUT ALL DOUBT
CBy Associated press)

fBy Associated Press)
DUBLIN, Aug 17-Eamon De Va
lera, Irish republican leader, declared
today that the Dali Eireann would not
accept the terms offered by the Brit
ish government, extending to Ireland
an offer of dominion status
From the reports this morning in
the British and foreign press" said
Mr.. DeValera, there seems to be
doubt as to what our attitude is to-
ward the British proposals. There
seems to be doubt as to whether what
! have said or whether our letter
means acceptance or rejection.
There ought to be no doubt in any
bodys mind. We cannot and viii
not, on behalf of this nation, accept
these terms.
Quotes Proverb.
There is an Indian proyerb read
ing: Fool me once, shame on you;
fool me twice, shame on me- The
Irish people will not be fooled this
time
1T is said we are offered the status
of dominion home rule for Ireland
the status of the British dominions.
Ireland is offered no such thing. The
statement that Ireland was offered
dominion status contained two false
hoods. Where is Ireland? There is no
Ireland in the terms, but two broken
pieces of Ireland.
What was offered as not even
| Dominion status. 1t was admitted the
Dominions had the right to secede and
could get out if they desired. We are
| told we must stay in whether we like
/ it or not.
I'VE are not claiming the right to
secede. There cannot be a question
of secession, because there has never
| been union
Willing to Sacrifice.
Northern Ireland has regarded it,
| self from its own viewpoint, and in
entering negotiations they need not
give up that point of view. l would
| be willing to suggest to the Irish peo-
pie that they give up a good deal in
order to have Ireland able to look into
| the future without anticipating dis
tracing internal problems"
'.All the time these negotiations
have meant an attempt to get into
/ touch with the people OF the north
| and tell them we have no ennlity and
| would make sacrifices for them which
| we would never think OF making for
Britain. We will be ready to give
| them every safeguard any reasonable
person could say they were entitled
| to, and we are ready to leave the ques-
| tion of the north to external arbitra-
| ton, or leave the whole question to
external arbitration.
/ Says Claim Unreasonable
"Englands claim is unreasonable
The claims of the minority in Ireland
are unreasonable. But even unreason-
able claims we would be ready to con-
slider, and for one would be ready
to go a long way to give way to them,
particularly to their sentiment, IL we
could get them to come with US and
consider the interests of their own
country and not be allying themselves
with foreigners.
The public meeting of the Dali Fir
eann was adjourned this afternoon to
an indefinite date. Private sessions
will be held in the meantime, begin
ming tomorrow.
i Yesterdays events. the pledge of
fealty to the Irish republic by members
of the parliament and the address of
Eamon DeValera, chieftain of Sim
: Fein, appeared to have removed into
the indefinite future an agreement
that would end the controversy that
for generations has embittered rela-
tions between England and Ireland
There were, however, indications
that the situation was not hopeless
and that out of the present meeting
of the parliament there might come
some plan by which negotiations with
England might continue. 1t was point
ed out that, while Mr. DeValera had
reiterated Ireland's claim for separa
ton from Great Britain, and had vir
tually bid defiance to the British gov.
eminent he had not closed every ave
/ nue. for resuming conversations with
, Premier Lloyd George.
In the text of his address there were
found by the hopeful numerous pass
ages which were construed as mean
ing that, under their present mandate
the men who constitute the Irish re
publican government could not accept
the British offer looking to settle
ment. These passages were consider
ed as possibly forecasting the calling
of a plebiscite by which the Irish peo
pie might express their desires, and
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