The Washington herald., 1921-12-07
ULSTER REACTS
FAVORABLY ON
IRISH TREATY
May Decide Within Month
To Become Part of
Free State.
FOR LLOYD GEORGE
Retains Oath to King,
Also Holds Ireland
Firmly in Empire.
FOR LLOYD GEORGE

LONDON. Dec. s.-The reaction OF
Ulster TO the peace protocol, signed
by the British government and Sim
Fein representatives. and now waiting
ratification by the British Parliament
and the. Dali Eireann is distinctly
promising
The Ulster cabinet. il is understood.
considers the terms an improvement
over the previous conditions laid down
by Lloyd George. For two hours the
northern leaders discussed the treaty.
adjourning without definite action. to
reconvene again tomc rrow. on Thurs
Gay a general meeting OF northern
leaders will be called with British
government officials in attendance,
after which Sir James Craig. the u
ster premier. will deliver his reply.
Throughout England there is pro-
found satisfaction and rejoicing at
what is believed TO be a lasting solu-
ton Of the age-long strife between
ireland and England.
England Greatly Pleased.
Lord Birkenhead. the British lord
high chancellor. for the second time
in twenty-four hours. addressed a
British audience at birmingham in
what may be considered the official
enunciation OF the british govern
ments's views on the conclusion OF
Lloyd Georges effcrts. He voiced tho
opinion OF all England when he hailed
the document as "the most vital pro
nouncement from any British cabinet
in 24L years
Great Britain Is generally inclined
tonight TO pay tribute to ssemier
Lloyd George, who has added probably
the greatest diplomatic triumph TO his
parliamentary career.
he conceded ything but what was
just" 1t is obser FED every where. vet
he retained a definite. ironbound oath
Of allegiance 10 the king "and al his
heirs and successors" as well as hold
ing ireland firmly within the empire
and preserving the facilities for Great
Britain's defense.
For Sin Fein II may be said that al
though it rennunces-for all time. the
government clains-its declaration OF
complete Independence. II gains a sig
nifcant advantage in complete hnan-
cial autonomy and the implied right
70 raise an army.
IniarEes f1nnuctnl Powers
Although in many instances the
treaty does not confer wider DOW
ers than those already granted un-
der the home rule act of 1920, IL
does give enlarged financial pow
ers which practically remove the
southern nation from British taxa
uon-and this is considered one
of the biggest inducements TO IT,
ster to join the free state, since
the north at present is subject to
the British income tax of six shil-
lings in the pound.
II Ulster refuses to join she will
be left to follow her own course.
II within a month after the ratif-
cation of the treaty Ulster signifies
her desire to remain outside, and
exercise her existing powers. she
may do so.
1t is possible. of course. that u
ster may challenge the solution on
numerous technical points, especial
ly on the rectification Of the boun-
y6aries between the north and the
south. She may also object 20 the
clauses whereby the parliament of
the Irish free state is empowered
to legislate for. the whole of Ire
land in cases where Ulster lacks
the power under the 1920 home rule
act. but It is believed the govern
ment intends to impose sufficient
safeguards on these points to sat
isfy the northern leaders.
The British parliament probably