Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-09-01
OFFERS TO MEET
IRISH CHIEFSAGAI
British Premier Replies to Let
ter From &c Valera.
he WARNS LEADERS
Lloyd George is Not Willing to Pro
long Negotiations by "Mere Ex-
change of Notes"

change of Notes"
London. The PREMIER David
Lloyd George, replying to a letter
from Eamonn de Valera, suggesting a
join peace council, said he would
meet the Irish Republican leader and
his colleagues again"
Mr.. de Valere's letter, which was in
answer to the peace proposals of the
British government, said the offer had
been placed before the Dali Eireann, or
parliament, which rejected them unani-
mously, but it is willing to negotiate
on the principle of government by con-
sent of the governed.
Mr. Lloyd Georges letter referred to
the demand Of Mr.. de Valera for recog-
milton of Ireland as a foreign power.
The prime minister says Mr.. de Val
era sis playing with phrases to sug-
gest that the principle of government
by the consent of the governed COM
pels recognition of that demand on our
part, or that in repudiating it we are
straining geographical and historical
considerations to justify claim to as
tendency over the Irish race"
The prime minister warns Mr.. de
Valera that ewing to +'the action being
taken in certain quarters" it is dan
gerous to prolong the negotiations.
Therefore, wlsile willing to make every
allowance, he cannot, he declares, pro-
long the mere exchange Of notes, but
adds he viii be happy to meet Mr., de
Valera and his colleagues gain.
Mr.. Lloyd George argues the states
of the American Union enjoy no such
range Of rights as is offered Ireland
in the governments proposals, which,
Inc says, "we consider to fulfill your
Wish that the principle of government
by the consent of the governed should
be the guiding principle"
Mr.. de Valera's letter. under date of
August "a follows:
1.-THE anticipatory Judgment gave
in my reply of August 10 has been
confirmed. I laid the proposals Oh
your government before the Dali
Eireann, and by a unanimous vote II
has rejected them.
"From your letter of august Is 1t
was clear that the principle we are
asked to accept was that the geo
graphical propinquity' of Ireland to
Great Britain imposed the condition of
the subordination of Ireland's right to
Great Britain's strategic interests, as
she conceived them, and that the very
= length and persistence of the efforts
made in the past to compel Ireland's
acquiescence in foreign domination
imposed the condition of acceptance
of that domination now
"We cannot believe that your gov
eminent intended to commit itself to
the principle of sheer militaris-7, de-
structive of international morality and
fatal to the worlds peace. If a small
nations right to independe zee is for
felt when more powerful aeighbor
covets its territory far Military or
other advantages it is supposed to con-
fer, there is an end to liberty. No
longer ar any small nation claim the
right to separate existence Holland
and Denmark can be made subservient
TO Germany, Belgium to Germany or
to France, Portugal to Spain.
IF nations that have been forcibly
annexed to an empire lose thereby
their title to Independence there can be
for them no rebirth to freedom.
I'm Ireland's case to speak OF Ter
seeding from a partnership she has
not accepted, or from an allegiance
which she has not undertaken to rem
der, is fundamentally false, just as the
claim to subordinate her independence
to British strategy is fundamentally
unjust. To neither can e, as repre-
sentatives of the nation, lend counte-
nance.
"If our refusal to betray our nations
honor and the trust that has been re-
posed in us is to be made an issue of
war by Great Britain, we deplore it.
We are as conscious of our responsible
tiles to the living as we are mindful
of principle or of our obligations to
the heroic dead.
eve have not sought war, nor do
we seek war, but If war be made upon
u.s. we must defend ourselves, ana
shall do so, confident that whether our
defense be successful or unsuccessful,
uU UUuy VI representative lIiSIuIitll OF
Irish women will ever propose to the
nation the surrender of its birthright.
1--WE long to end the conflict between
Great Britain and Ireland If your
government is determined to impose
his will upon us by iorce, and ante
cedent to negotiations to insist upon
conditions that involve ~''~~~--'er -