Evening star., 1921-07-09
An Irish Truce.

A truce in Ireland! Negotiations
for a conference for peace! Agree
ment by the Irish republican leader
to meet and discuss with the British
premier the basis for a settlement.
These are the hopeful signs just re-
ported from Dublin and from London
pointing to adjustment at last Of one
Of the most difficult problems in the
world today.
For many months a state of civil war
has prevailed in Ireland, in the south
ern part war between the crown and
the republic; in the north between
the Ulsterites and advocates Of an all.
Ireland organization. A solution Of
these difficulties has been hard to
gain. Home rule based upon the prin-
ciple Of division of the island into its
regions Of religious differences has
been rejected by the advocates of a
unified Ireland. Ulster has refused to
accept single Irish parliament, mas.
the south would overwhelm and DOM
mate. The government at London is
faced with a most trying dilemma-to
compel acceptance Of the dual parlia-
ment by the southern counties or to
coerce Ulster into acceptance Of the
single parliament. Thus after many
decades Of irregular conflict and ad-
ministrative trouble the Irish situa-
tion has developed into one at which
the government at London virtually
stood as referee between the apparent.
ly irreconcilable south and north, and
bearing responsibility for the whole.
Whatever may have been the blum
dsrs and cruelties and misjudgments
and injustices Of the past in respect
TO the treatment Of ireland by Eng
land, the case today must be viewed
strictly upon this basis, that the peo-
pie Of ireland themselves have not
pendence for home rule which Great
Britain has tardily, perhaps reluc-
family, possibly with ill-grace, been
willing to grant The nationalists Of
the south Of Ireland have demanded
absolute independence. The govern
ment at London has been and is to.
day unwilling to yield to the point Of
complete separation and the estab.
Eshment Of fully Independent state,
on the ground Of possible menace to
British safety. It is possible that this
will be the rock on which the negotia-
tions about to begin will split. If the
nationalists demand complete inde-
pendence for all Ireland. Ulster in.
cluded, and will accept no less, the
strife must 60 on, for even If England
should yield that full measure of
sovereignty tho sectional conflict
would remain.
The fact that negotiations have been
arranged. however. indicates that the
chiefs Of the nationalist organization
contemplate the possibility Of a COM
promise. There would be no reason
for conference and truce II complete,
absolute and full insular independence
were to be insisted upon to the finish.
For England cannot consent to such
settlement, which would involve
abandonment Of Ulster and possibly
coercion Of Ulster to compel accept
ance.
The fervent hope of Americans is
for a settlement upon fair, just basis
Of this long vexing. costly, cruel con-
hict. Those who are partisan to the
cause Of Irish independence, those
who are sympathetic with Ulster, and
those who are supporting the British
view all feel that some adjustment is
demanded. to put an end to an intoler-
able condition. to stop the waste Of
life. to check the breeding of rancor
and hatred. II from these proceedings
soon to start. at London or possibly
at Dublin. comes peace in Ireland,
there will be great rejoicing in this
land