New-York tribune., 1921-08-15

now weigh heavily upon u.s. and they
wish TO 60 thoi. utmost to secure that
every man of Irish birth should work
in loyal cooperation with the free com
munities on which the British Empire is
based. They are convinced that the
Irish people may find as worthy and
complete an expression of their politi-
cal and spiritual ideals within the en-
pire as any of the numerous and varied
nations united in allegiance to his
majesty's throne, and they desire such
contamination not only for the.welfase
Of Great Britain and Ireland and the
empire as a whole, but also for the
cause of peace and harmony throughout
the world.
Feuds Affect World
There Is not q part Of the world
where Irishmen have made their homes
but suffers from our ancient feuds. No
part of it but looks to this meeting
between the British government and
the Irish leaders to resolve these feuds
in new understanding, honorable and
satisfactory to all the people involved.
"The free nations which compose the
British Empire are drawn from many
races with different histories, tradi-
tions and ideals. In the Dominion of
Canada the British and French have
long forgotten the bitter conflict which
divided their ancestors. In South
Africa the Transvaal Republic and the
Orange Free State have Joined with two
British colonies to make great self
governing union under his majasty's
sway. The British people cannot be-
lieve that where Canada and South
Africa, with equal or even greater
difficulties, have so signally succeeded
Ireland will fail, and they are deter
mined that so far as they themselves
can secure it nothing shall hinder
Irish statesmen from joining together to
build up an Irish state in free and will
ing cooperation with the other peoples
of the empire.
"Moved by these considerations, the
British government invited Ireland 70
take her place in the great association
of free nations over which his majesty
reigns. AS an earnest of their de-
sire to obEterate old quarrels and
to enable Ireland to face the future
with her own strength and hope, they
propose that Ireland shall assume
forthwith the status of dominion,
with all the powers and privileges
set forth in this document.
Dominion Status Defined
"By tho adoption of dominion
status it is understood that Ireland
shall enjoy complete autonomy in tax
alton and finance; that she shall main
tain her own military forces for home
defense, her own constabulary and her
own police; that she shall take over
the Irish postal services and all mat
agriculture, mines and minerals, for
estry, housing, labor, unemployment,
transport, trade, public health, health
insurance and liquor traffic, and, in
sum, that she shall exercise all those
powers and privileges upon which the
autonomy of self-governing dominions
is based, subject to the considerations
set forth in the ensuing paragraphs.
"Guaranteed in these liberties, which
no foreign people can challenge without
challenging the empire as a whole, the
virtue of their British fellowship a
standing among the nations equiva
lent not merely to their individual
strength but to the combined power
and influence of all the nations of the
commonwealth.
"That guaranty, that fellowship, that
freedom, the whole empire. looks to
Ireland to accept"
Then followed six stipulations.
The first says that the common con-
cern of both countries in the defense
of their interests on land and sea shall
be recognized.
"Great Britain" it adds, olives by
the sea; her food and her communica
tions depend on the freedom Of the
great sea routes. Ireland lies at Brit
aims side, across the seaways, north
and south, that link her with the sister
nations of the empire, the markets Of
the world and the vital sources of her
food supply.
England to Control Seas
"In recognition of this fact, which
nature has imposed and which no
craftsmanship can change. it is essen
tial that the royal navy alone should
control the seas around Ireland and
Great Britain, and that such rights and
liberties should be accorded it by the
Irish state as are essential for naval
purposes in Irish harbors and on Irish
coasts"
The second stipulation says:
an order that the movement toward
limitation of armaments which is now
making progress in the world should
not be hampered in any way, the Irish
territorial force shall within reason
able limits conform in numbers to the
military establishments in other parts
OF the islands"
In the third stipulation it is de-
clared that Great Britain shall have
all the necessary facilities for the de-
velopment of air defense and COM
munications.
The fourth expresses the hope that
Ireland will of her own free will con-
tribute in proportion to her wealth to
the naval and military forces of the
empire, and assumes that voluntary
recruiting will be permitted, "particu-
larly for those famous Irish regiments
which so long and so gallantly have
served his majesty in all parts of the
world"
Complete autonomy in finance and
taxation, with the agreement that there
shall be no tariffs and other trade re-
Btrictions between the two islands. is
( provided in the fifth stipulation.
Ireland to Share Debts
The sixth declares that Ireland is to
3 assume responsibility for a share of
Z the United Kingdoms present debt and
pensions. In default of an agreement
+ the share would be determined by an
arbitrator appointed from within the
dominion.
The document proposes that the con-
ditions of settlement be embodied in
the form of a treaty, to which effect
shall be given by the British and Irish
& parliaments.
"The form in which the settlement is
Z to take effect" it adds, "will depend
upon Ireland herself. 1t must allow
for full recognition of the existing pow