New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
!tions conferred upon her by the &C,


Of 1890.
"The government of northern Ireland
deems 1t unnecessary to enumcrate
here the reasons for this repugnance,
which, AS stated in your communities
tion, his majesty's ministers are fully
aware of. But they must observe that
the objection of northern Ireland to
participation in an all-Ireland parlia-
ment, so far from being weakened, has
been materially strengthened by recent
events in other parts OF Ireland, to
which 1t is unnecessary more particu-
larly to refer. 1t is All objection that
goes deeper than the considerable re-
| ferred to in your communication.
Paper Safeguards Insufficient
"The government of northern IRE
land consider it their duty, in order to
! avoid a misunderstanding, to say that
their inability to accept an all-lreland
Parliament does not depend merely on
the question of safeguards in regard to
administrative details. They arc GER
tain that no paper safeguards could
protect them against maladminstra-
ton. The feelings of the loyal popula-
tion of Ulster are so pronounced, so
universal on this point that no govern
ment representing that population
could enter any conference where this
point is open to discussion.
FOR these reasons they feel COM
PEELED to state that any discussion
would be fruitless unless his maiesty's
ministers consent to the withdrawal of
the proposal for an all-Ireland Parlia-
ment.
THE government of northern Ire
land are fully alive to the difficulties
! referred to in your communica ton, but
cannot agree that the only way or best
way OF surmounting these difficulties
under the existing circumstances is by
conferrlng jurisdiction over reserved
subjects upon common authority
HIS majestys ministers assume that the
only alternative to such arrangement
is that while the status of dominion
! should be given southern ireland
northern Ireland would remain part of
the United Kingdom, with the cs-
sential corollary of representation in
| the imperial Parliament and certain
financial and ether disadvantages
which northern Ireland, as compared
with southern Ireland, would suffer
under such arrangement are pointed
out.
There is another alternative. which
his majesty's ministers do not appear
/ to have considered. 1t is that re-
served powers, instead of being in
trusted to common authority, should
be conferred on the governments Of
southern and northern Ireland within
the areas of their respective jurisdc-
tons. The principle underlying the act
OF 1920 was equally of status and powers
tor the two governments in ireland,
and this principle should, in the opin-
ion of the government of northern
rp a ND h1 hz1 l.. Z
reserved services.
ut is true that it might involve
northern Ireland losing her representa-
tlon in the imperial Parliament, but
while northern Ireland would Geploro
any loosening of the tic between Great
Britain and herself, she would regard
the loss of representation at West
minister as a less evil than inclusion
IN an all-lreland parliament.
Three of Four Proposals Accepted.
ut is realized that if the alternative
here suggested were adopted the con-
tribution of northern Ireland, as also
southern Ireland, to the cost of i'm
perial services would be voluntary, as
in the case of the overseas dominions
The proved loyalty of northern Ire
land to the British Empire is sufficient
| guaranty that she would not evade this
northern Ireland arc convinced that by
| this plan the imperial exchequer
would have better security for con-
tribution than from an all-Ireland par
! lament, the majority of whose mem
bers would not likely be animated by
sentiments of affection for Great
Britain.
1T will be seen, therefore, that the
| government of northern Ireland are
prepared to accept three out of the
four proposals put forward by his ma
posal they are unable to accept for the
reasons stated. They respectfully in
vite the attention of his majesty's gov
| ernment to the alternative sugge stions
here submitted.
"In conclusion, the government OF
northern Ireland desires to express
their firm conviction that the time has
not yet arrived when the cause of peace
in Ireland, which they fervently desire
can be promoted by establishing an all
Ireland parliament. Such constitu
tion can only come from mutual conf
dences. When the time for it comes
| Che provisions of the act of 1920 will
prove sufficient for the purpose OF
bringing it into existence"
Separate Dominions Indefensible
Premier Lloyd George wrote on No
vember 14
1--WE have received with great regre'
your refusal to enter a conference un
conditionally To demand as between
two sets of ministers of the crow
preliminary limitation on freedom o,
discussion is contrary to the spirit o
mutual loyalty and cooperation which
animates his majesty's governments il
all y,artc Of the ennira
Eve regret it the more because YOU
counter proposal, that southern ant
northern Ireland should be constituted
into two separate dominions, is, in ou,
judgment, indefensible We are op
posed to it in the first place on th'
ground of broad imperial principle. TX
create two dominions in Ireland, one o
twenty-six and one of six counties
would fundamentally change the exist
ing system of imperial organization.
1.-The status of dominions, both ma
tonally and internationally, is baset
upon the gradual amalgamaton o
large territories and scattered colonies
in natural units Of lf-government
We could not reasonably claim a place
for two Irelands in the Assembly o
tho League of Nations or in the i'm
Dsrial conference. II ireland is repre-
sented in either institution it mus
preferably be Ireland as whole, or
failing the whole, that part which ha
the largest population and area.