Omaha daily bee., 1921-12-07
Peace for Ireland.

Absence OF detailed information precludes dis
crssion OF the terms on which Lloyd George and
Sim Fein are reported to have agreed, but it is
not especially matter OF outside concern what
these terms arc. So long as Ireland and Eng
land are able TO agree on them, the rest OF the
world will be willing to accept the issue. In gen
eral it may be taken for granted that the condi-
tons provide as great an extent Of independence
ior Ireland as is possible to retain her in the
British empire. Sim Fen would accept no less,
nor could Lloyd George offer more. Ulster is
being consulted but the impression gained from
reports so far at hand is that the Ulster group
will not be permitted to veto the settlement. This
encourages the belief that the terms are such as
will not be oppressive, even TO the extremists OF
Belfast
On the face OF things this means the closing
OF one chapter OF Irish history and the opening
Of another. Aspirations for home rule and for
agrarian reforms, begun in Parnelrs time, have
continued and have widened in scope, until the
Sim Fein program for the Irish republic took
definite form. A natural desire to manage their
own affairs in their own way has been the
aninlating impulse moving the Irish people If
its realization is within their grasp, we hope they
arc not disappointed by reason of some interfer
ence that can not now be anticipated. Whatever
the settlement is, it is the outcome of careful
negotiations, carried on by men skilled in coun-
sell established in statecraft and earnest in desire
to bring good to all. Such efforts deserve to be
crowned with success.
When Ireland goes "on her own" and that
will not be far off if the settlement goes through
some interesting developments will ensue. Main
tenance Of friendly intercourse with England
will ensure the economic prosperity Of the peo-
pie, whose trade in foodstuffs alone with their
neighbors across the Irish sea amounted to more
than $45000000 in the last year Of the war Such
traffic is not lightly to be ignored. Sir Horace
Plunkett believes Ireiand's future is along agri-
cultural lines; Mr.. Lionel Gordon is inclined to
think that intensive dairying will be the more
profitable, but both agree that application is
needed No good reason exists why sBelfast's
ship yards and other factories, publins food
producing establishments and the reviving in
dustries at Cork should not 60 along and prosper
under the new state Of affairs Whether the
dreams of James Stevens, Padraic Colum and
others of the poets will come true must wait on
the fullness of time. "a. E" declines to spccu-
late on the political future of the land that has
been sorely dstraught by conflicting political
views for so long time. Perhaps the sense OF
responsibility that must come with independence
will aid in harmonizing some Of the differences
that have been SO sharply outlined in the past
IfIreland attans the. spiritual and intellectual
leadership her loyal sons and daughters have
prophesied for her. it will be well for the world.
Should the Irish only succeed in restoring con-
tentment and reasonable prosperity to their own
homes, the world will be gamer, for each happy
land is distinct asset to humanity merry
Christmas it should be this year in every Irish
home throughout the world