The Washington herald., 1921-12-04

ment proposal of the British govern
ment which, presumably. had the
Endorsement OF Sim Fein. The pro-
posal Is said to have contained. as
part of the solution, an all-Irelsnd
parliament. This proposition Ulster
finds totally impossible at the pres
emit time. An sll-Ireland Council or
Parliament, which would be on a
proportionste basis, and therefore.
controlled by Southern ireland,
means, Ulster thinks. that, once ac-
cepted. England would be unable. IL
she wished. to prevent oppression
of Ulster by Sim Fein. Sir James
Craig pointed out, in an interview.
possible actions of an oppressive ma
lture which Sim Fein might inlet
on Ulster. These possibilities, he
said, included injecting Catholicism
Into state schools and the wrecking
of listers important industries by
ilI-considered legislation Sir James
stated that he was not making for
Ulster a final refusal to consent to
a united ireland, but that he wanted
Sim Fein FIRST TO prove its ability
to govern itself on constitutional
lines, and to give practical proof
of its fairness toward southern Prot
estanta After a time under such
circumstances, he thought that the
two Irish governments might unite
of their own free will. The expected
statement by Sir James in the Ulster
Parliament was made Tuesday. This
was an agreed statement, the text
Iof which was fixed by Mr.. Lloyd
George and the Ulster leader. The
exact words were: by Tuesday next
these negotiations will have broken
down or the prime minister will
send me new proposals for consid-
Grafton by the Cabinet. In the
meantime rights of Ulster will be
In no way sacrificed or compro-
missed"
As soon as the text of this state
ment had been received in Lonlon
Mr.. Lloyd George called new
meeting Of Sim Fein delegates and
the committee of British ministers
which 10 dealing with the Irish
question. 1t was announced after
ward that "a new avenue was be-
ing explored" So. although the pro-
tracted negotiations for an Irish
settlement have thus far lead TO no
conclusion. IL is evident that all
parties concerned are loath to ad-
NIT a failure. 1t becomes increas-
ingly difficult to put an end to the
truce which has existed in Ireland
for five months. The expectation
lclesrly Is that some way out will
ultimately be found. II is pointed
out by the Daily Chronicle. Premier
Lloyd Georges organ. that. failing
a voluntary agreement on the part
of Ulster 10 unite with Southern Ire
land, the British government will
not coerce Ulster, nor will II permit
Sim Fein. IL IL would. to coerce
Ulster. 1t is not likely that Sim
Fein would expect actual. physical
coercion OF Ulster. Since Ulster has
refused the settlement proposed and
} no coercion is possible, il is difficult
to see how Sim Fein can expect
any more than the British govern
ment is clearly willing and prepared
to grant, namely. a dominion status,
. practically amounting to nationality
within the empire for Southern Ire
land. II one might venture to pre-
dict. one might say that such a re-
suit will probably be the outcome OF
the present negotiations, with the
added feature of some form Of CO.
Operative council in which both
Southern and Northern Ireland
would be represented. but which
would not have dominant power in
Ulster.
Assurances Not Definite.
During the past week IL became
known that Premier Lloyd George,
contrary to the general view. has
had no definite assurance from the
Sim Fein that they will swear allie
glance TO the crown. While this
fact has been put forward as likely
to cause q breakdown in the nego-
tiations, apart from what Ulster
may do. II seems most probable that
this obstacle can be overcome. II
is hardly likely that Mr.. Lloyd
George would have gone as far a,
: he has in these negotiations unless
: he thought the allegiance diriculty
} could be settled. II has been sug-
: gested that the Sim Fein leaders
; and other members Of the Dali Fire
T. ann would not individually swear
= allegiance to the crown. but that the
( Dali itself as body would &C.
: knowledge the king as the head OF
] the empire. Such an arrangement
would seem to be satisfactory and
3 would obviate the necessity of Sim
t Fem members repudiating their
, An interesting speculation /,
opened up by the prospect tina
= southern Ireland as dominion
with fiscal autonomy would have .
much lower tax than Ulster anC
than Great Britain itself. 1t q
said that Southern ireland Nigh
have an income tax of as low as ,
shilling in the pound, whereas tn,
present tax is six shfiltrVs IN IN,
pound. the reason for this beins
; that Southern Ireland would be re
lieved of her proportionate share O.
the imperial debt, although perhsp,
agreeing TO pay a fixed but rela
q lively small contribution. 1t hsi
been suggested that, II such a sit
d ustion obtained. there would be ,
heavy immigration into Irelant
from England to avoid the create
taxation and to take advantage o
d the cheaper living. This. II Il
thought. would mean not only tn,
= removal OF individuals but also tn
: renewal of large business organ
|, izstions. Reduced taxation woul,
a be not the only financial advantag,
|, acquired by those who would NOV
to Ireland. They would also re
ceive. as years went by. an in
crease In the value OF the British
money which they possessed
!, through the gradual improvement
y Of British exchange, which woul
be due IN no way TO them. but L
the taxing OF the people of Grea
Britain and the consequent ulti
mate resumption Of a gold basi
= for the currency. How man
people might migrate to Irelan