Arizona republican., 1921-12-15
IN IRISH TREATY
 EXPLAINED BY
 LLOYD GEORGE
Tells House Of Commons Of Questions Confront ing Conferees = Alludes To Dominion Status

LONDON, Dec. 14.-Addressing the house of commons today, Premier Lloyd George said there were many peculiar Irish difficulties. Ireland's geographical strategic position was analogous to that Of no other do- minion, he declared. Every other do- minion had it's war debt and pensions, he added, and if that had not been dealt with the Irish alone would have come out of the war untaxed. He said there was also the difficulty arising from deeply rooted religious animosities, so exaggerated that fears had to be dealt with as facts. He said one of the greatest questions was the peculiar position of North Ireland, which had wrecked every previous proposed settlement.
 With reference to the question of allegiance to the crown. he said he would reply fully later, contenting himself with the statment that there had been complete acceptance of all legiance to the British crown, ac- ceptance of membership in the empire apd acceptance of common citizen ship.
 tlluding to dominion status, he de- clared if full and complete dominion status had been conferred Ireland would have had power to raise any army or navy she liked. How could Great Britain pursue policy of dis armament if Ireland had been thus able to raise possibly half million men. he asked.
 That was an international objec- ton. Besides, if Ireland had been en- titled to raise large forces. Northern Ireland would have been driven to initiate the south in its own protec- ton. It was under such menacins circumstances that conflicts were ljkeiy to arise and 1t was desirable in the interests of the empire. the world and Ireland itself that there should be limitation. 1t was impossible to leave the government responsible for law and order without a certain number of armed forces and the limit was set not beyond what was needed for this purpose.
 In justsfying the naval provisions he argued that the experience of thu war had shown how vital Ireland wal to the security of the United King. dom. Therefore, he contended, it wa: impossible to allow an ordinary do minion status to operate, although h. agreed Ireland would never be likel. to raise a formidable fleet
 ..Provisions of the treaties, how ever, do not mean that we do no contemplate that Ireland should no later take her share in defense these isles and her coast by defendinl it and helping to defend CUTS. h added. "We should welcome her co operation."
 The prenier's address was deliv cred immediately after the reply t the speech from the throne. whic was moved by Col. Sir Samuel Hoar soon after the house of commons mel Colonel Hoare's reply follows:
 Having taken into considerable the articles of agreement presente by your majesty's command, we ar ready to confirm and ratify these ar icles in order that the same may D established by the mutual consent the peoples of Great Britain and Ire land; and we offer to your ma1est our most humble congratulations the mere accomplishment of the wor of reconciliation to which your maj esty has so largely contributed Colonel Hoare's motion was sec onded by George N. Barnes.
 Maintaining that the governmer had stood by its pledge not to coerc Ulster the premier explained ths had not precluded then from tryin to persuade Ulster to enter an Ireland parliament. The Oisls leaders had often spoken Of the unit of Ireland as the ultimate ideal.
 Alluding to Listers opinion on tf retention of her existing status WI. a change in the boundary areas. | asserted Ulster desired to set up
 model government and as an III doubted majority of the people of tW of the northern counties would prt fer to be with thsir southern neigf bors. Ulster would have trouble her own doors.