Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-08-26
Peace Plan
OF British
Is Rejected
Irish willing to Nego-
tiate on Principle of
Rule by Consent of
Governed.

London, Aug. 26.-The British
governments peace proposals were
laid before the Dali Eireann,
which rejected them unanimous
ly. but is willing to negotiate on
the principle OF government by
consent of the governed, Eamon
DeValera says in his reply to Mr..
Lloyd George, the British prime
minister.
The letter proposes that Great
Britain and Ireland appoint repre-
sentatives with plenary powers
to negotiate details on this princi-
pie.
eve have not sought war nor
do we seek war, but II war be
made upon us we must defend
ourselves and we shall do So"
says Mr.. Devalera's letter. I'VE
long to end the conflict between
Great Britain and Ireland" he
adds.
The letter, which bears the date
Of August "a:
Rejection Official
1.-THE anticipatory Judgment ]
gave in my reply ofAugust 10 has
been confirmed. laid the propos-
ais Of your government before the
Dali Eireann and by a unanimous
vote 1t has rejected them.
From your letter Of August
13. It was clear that the princi-
pie we are asked to accept was
that the geographical propin-
quity' OF Ireland to Great Britain
imposed the condition Of the sub
ordination OF Ireland's right to
Great Britain's strategicsinterests
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
Of acceptance OF that
now.
1--WE cannot believe that your
intended to commit
Itself to the principle OF sheer
militarism, destructive Of inter-
national morality and fatal to the
peace. II small nations
right to independence is forfeited
when more powerful neighbor
,ovets It's territory for military or
3ther advantages. It is supposed
10 confer, there is an end to lib
srty. No longer can any small ma
Ion claim the right to a separate
existence. Holland and Denmark
san be made subservient to Ger
many, Belgium to Germany or to
france, Portugal to Spain.
'If nations that have been forc-
bly, annexed 70 an empire lose
hereby their title to independ-
nee tn are can be for them no re-
'irth TO freedom.
Will Fight if Necessary
'In 1reland's case, to speak OF
Ier seeding from partnership
he has not accepted or from an
llegiancs which she has not un-
ertaken to render Is fundament-
lily false, jrst as the claim TO sub
rdinate her Independence to
Iritish strategy is fundamentally
Must. 10 neither can we, as
representatives. OF the nation. !
end countenance. !
III our refusal to hetray our !,
ations honor and the trust that :,
as been reposed in United States :,
to ne mefe an issue OF war by :
reat Britain. we deplore 1t. We n
re as conscious OF our RESPONSE =
Ilit'es 10 the living as we are
lndful d. principle or of our OBJ
cations t. tbs heroic dead.
1--WE have no. sought war nor = =
We seek wa. but u war be made !, u
bon ue we must defend ourselves I,
ID shalt dc so, confident that :,
neither our defense be success :,
/ or unslcesssul, no body OF rep Il,
sentative Irishmen or<1rish wo- 4,
en- will ever propose to the ma (,
IN the surrender OF its birth n
yht n,
Earnestly Desires Peace III
I'VE long to end the conflict
tween Great Britain and Ire