The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-08-25
THE UNHAPPY ISLE

1t is not an easy task to write in
telligently of the Irish situation, ow-
ing to constant changes taking place
with reference to the negotiations be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland.
For time it was thought that
there could be no possible agreement
upon terms, as there was spirit of
uncompromising hostility upon tn"
part of Ireland, which Great Britain
met with almost equal hardness Then
came a period of less warlike at
titude by each of the warning par.
ties.
Then the British proposals came
that met the Irishmen at least
half way. The offer was really moro
lenient to Ireland than might have
been expected and the hope of the
friends of both parties was that at
last wise solution of the difficult
conditions had been fo nd. Lloyd
George stated truly that The British
proposals presented to the Irish
people an opportunity such as never
dawned in their history before That
the British offer is a WISE and liberal
one may be inferred from his state
ment of its main proposal.
1t guarantees to Ireland the control
of its own finances and taxation; the
right to maintain it's own military and
police forces for it's own defense and
protection absolute independent iuris-
diction over its trade, postal and edu-
cational systems-everything in fact,
except absolute national indepen-
dence, the granting of which accord
ing to the British standpoint jeopar
die the sovereignty and safety of
both parties to the proposed agree
ment.
Ireland, or its leaders, would ;;.c-r
terrible responsibility by rejecting
these offers and would invite a re-
turn to the horrible conditions Of the
past year and possibly lead to civil
land-with no possible hope Of the
nationalists achieving anything like
the liberal terms now offered as a
basis Of peace"
1t is to be feared however, that
the agitators and self elected leaders
may cause the rejection Of TIC we'll
meant offers of Great Britain and
that will lead to stern measures upon
the part of England and to retalia-
tion by Ireland that viii bring forth
anarchy and bloodshed in the unhap-
py isle.
The Irish cherish the memory of
Robert Emmett and are very suspi-
cious of those who have in Irish opin-
ion been serene rulers and task mas
terS.
One trouble that may prevent per-
manent peace between the two ccun-
tries is that there is division among
the Irish themselves. Could they pre-
sent united front to Great Britain
but with Home Rule Party and an
Anti-Home Rule contingent tie task
Of bringing about an agreement be-
comes more difficult.
AS here stated the memory Of Rob-
ert Emmett and his efforts to free
Ireland are imbedded in the memory
and hearts of the Irish people and
will make the attempt TO compromise
differences very difficult.
In his speech just before he was
executed for leading an unsuccessful
rising in Dublin he uttered the words
that are cherished by the Irish ma
tion and are familiar to schools boys
of America the closing of his defense
being in these sad sentences:
II have but one request 20 ask at
my departure from this world. Let
no man write my epitaph; for as no
man who knows my motives dare now
indicate them let not prejudice or ig-
norance aspCrSe them. Let them and
me repose in obscurity and peace and
my tomb remain uninscribcd until
other times and other men can do
justice to my character. When my
country takes her place amorg the
nations Of the earth then and not till
then let my epitaph be written"
At this writing it does not appear
that Emmctt's hope is nearer rcaliZ-
alton than when his life went out on
the eallows