New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-27
De Valera's Letter

The anticipatory judgment / gave
IN my reply Of August 10 has been
confirmed. l laid the proposals of
your government before the Dali
Eireann, and by a unanimous vote
1T has rejected them.
From your letter of August 13 il
was clear that the principle we are
asked to accept was that the sgeo-
graphical propinquity" Of Ireland to
Great Britain imposed the condition
Of the subordination of Irelands
right to Great Britains strategic in
terests, as she conceived them. and
that the very length and persistence
Of the efforts made in the past to
compel Ireland's acquiescence in a
foreign domination imposed the con-
dition of acceptance Of that domi-
nation now.
Opposed to Principle
OF Sheer Militarism~
We cannot believe that your gov
eminent intended to commit itself to
the principle Of sheer militarism,
destructive of international morality
and fatal 70 the worlds peace. If a
small nations right to independence
IS forfeit when more powerful
nelghbor covets its territory for
military or other advantages it is
supposed to confer there is all end
to liberty. No longer can any small
nation claim the right to separate
existence. Holland and Denmark
can be made subservient to Germany.
Belgium to Germany or to France.
Portugal to Spain.
If nations that have been forciblv
annexed to an empire lose thereby
their title TO independence there can
be for them no rebirth to freedom
In 1reland's case, to speak of her
seeding from a partnership she has
not accepted, or from ar allegiance
which she has not undertaken to
render is Fundamentally false. Just
as tne claim to subordinate her in
dependence to British strategy is
fundamentally unjust. To neither
can we, as representatives of the
nation, lend countenance.
II our refusal to betray our na-
tons honor and the trust that bas
peen reposed in US is to be made
an issue Of war by Great Britain
we deplore it. We are as conscious
OF our responsibilities to the living
as we are mindful Of principle or of
our obligations to the heroic dead.
Disclaims Seeking War,
But People Will Fight
We have not sought war nor do
we ask war, but if war be made upon
US we must defend ourselves. and
shall do so, confident that whether
our defense be successful or unsuc-
cessful, no body of representative
lrlshmen or Irishwomen will ever
propose to the nation the surrender
of its birthright.
We long to end the conflict be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland. If
your government be determined to
impose its will upon us by force.
and antecedent to negotiations to in
sist upon conditions that involve
surrender of our whole national
position and make negotiations
mockery, the responsibility for the
continuance of the conflict rests
upon you
On the basis of the broad guiding
principle of government by the con-
sent of the governed peace can be
secured-a peace that will be just
and honorable to all ard fruitful of
concord and inducing to amty.
To negotiate such a peace the Dali
Eireann is ready to appoint its repre-
sentatives. and, ii your government
accepts the principle proposed. to
invest them with plenary powers to
meet and arrange with you for its
application in detail
l am, Sir,
Faithfully Yours,
EAMON DE VALERA.