The New York herald., 1921-12-07
ULSTER IS PUZZLED:
DISLIKES Oath BUT
MAY NOT REJECT IT
Col. Spender Declares Much
Depends on South Ire
lands Attitude.
CABINET MEETS TO-DAY
CABINET MEETS TO-DAY
North Willing to Cooperate
With Sim Fein if Latter
Is Really Loyal

BELFAST Dec. 6 (Associated Press).-
A statement from the Ulster Premier
on the Irish settlement will be de-
layed for some days. The news that
treaty between England and Ire
land had been concluded has nom
plussed Belfast. When Parliament as
sembled tremendous excitement pre-
vailed, there was great curiosity mixed
with anxiety as to how Ulster would
fare under the treaty. The general
feeling in Belfast to-day was rather
OF doubt and distrust.
Sir James Craig announced that the
treaty had been received, but he had
not read it, and the House adjourned
after transacting routine business.
The Cabinet assembled Immediately
to consider the new situation, and
later, Col. Spender. Secretary OF the
Cabinet, formally announced that an
other Cabinet Council would be held
tomorrow to continue the discussion.
listers Feelings Defined.
On Thursday 4 party meeting OF
Government supporters will be convened
to consider the settlement. Col Spender
pointed out that there were a great many
points requiring elucidation. which might
necessitate further correspondence be-
fore any decision could be made by tho
Ulster Cabinet.
In reply to questions, he declared
that If the South were going to continue
hostile "it would be better to have 1t
out now" hut II the South really In
tended to act with friendliness. that
would put different complexion on
affairs He admitted that the first i'm
preston Of the Ulster Government was
one of "puzzlement." He thought that
details were likeIy 20 afford more trouble
than the broad outlines. Ulster disliked
the form OF oath proposed. but II
1t was acceptable 20 the British people
Ulster would not object.
The Belfast News Letter (Unionist)
withholds judgment until the scheme
Is analysed and the full effect of ell the
provisions, separately and collectively,
upon the future of northern ireland are
ascertained."
interpretation Neeuto.
"In all probability" the newspaper
continues, "a conference between tne
Imperial Cabinet and the Northern Cab
met will be necessary. The Parliament
and people of northern Ireland must
know beyond all doubt what the I'm
perial Parliament's Interpretation OF thu
terms is before a decision is taken by
the Northern Parliament"
M n tI,.t ha IL
cult for the Northern Parliament to ac-
cept revision of the Ulster boundaries
by commission: It declares that there
Will be general objection TO the pro-
posed basis OF revision. adding:
Counting heads is not the only fac
tor in the matter. and In our opinion
the North cannot agree to the proposed
form OF asttlement-we say. not II u
cannot be adjusted; but as 1t stands 1t
cuts right across a first principle every
Northern Unionist hold"
The reactionaray political leaders
are said to regard any compromise be-
tween the British and Sim Fein dele
gates as defeat for Ulster. The views
Of the parties to the peace negotiations
they say. are so irreconcilable that II
is difficult 10 imagine that what would
appeal to the Sim Fein would be re-
garded as satisfactory 20 Ulster.
The Northern Whig says that Ulster's
position has been repeatedly defined.
and that, In all events, will not be
damaged. The utmost concession has
been made by Ulster. and whatever the
consequences may he. the province can
not be n party to any further weaken
ing of the links that bind her TO Great
Britain.
The Irish Nctcs, organ OF Joseph Dew
lin. says: Men who had the will to dis
cover the basis OF an agreement have
evidently discovered H. We know moth
ing of the terms at this hour II is too
much 10 look for a wholly satisfactory
settlement. II is enough to know that
an agreement has been arrived at and
that International pence will be secured
IL nothing untoward happens here
after"