The New York herald., 1921-07-25
Need of Reaching Compromise
Is Strongly Stressed by
Adherents.

|
permanent peace. 1t is felt that the
fact of Independence virtually has
been accomplished by the proposed
removal of all restrictions on ireland
except those regarding decisions or
war and peace. armed forces and for
eign relations. Some of the more
radical leaders of the American AS
sociation for the Recognition of the
Irish Republic, while insisting thai
they will be satisfied with nothing
short of absolute independence foi
Ireland. nevertheless are willing tt
leave the decision in the hands Of De
Valera and his colleagues, in whom
they have complete confidence.
Most of the Irish supporters are keep
ing to their original attitude that the
elected Representatives of ireland should
be left unhampered to carry on their ne
gotiations as they see fit and that no
effort should be made in this country to
influence their decisions. Though mind
! full Of the many obstacles still standing
in the way OF final settlement. the
sentiment here Is decidedly hopeful
supports Representatives..
Morgan J. O'Brien, for many years
known as hearty sympathizer with the
cause OF Irish freedom. said last night
that while the exact terms of the pp-
posed settlement are not known, he wAs
! willing to stand behind the representa-
| tives Of the Irish themselves.
II think the sentiment among Ameri-
cans of Irish descent" said Judge
O'Brien. "is that any settlement which
the Irish themselves agree to will be sat
| Lsfactory. In fact, the question ought
TO be settled by the Irish themselves and
rot on this side
"All intelligent people. I believe. are
anxious for some permanent peace. not
only for the sake of the Irish people
alone. but for the rest OF humanity. All
who love Ireland and humanity will be
delighted with settlement. but II would
be brave man indeed who would put
| his own views up against those of the
men on the other side. who are in actual
| touch with affairs and are sure of the
feeling of ireland But I do know this
Ir solution Is reached with Lloyd
George and the British Empire and 1t is
p final peace Ireland and the entire
l WHITE race Will De lne winners.
He Favors Acceptance.
One of the most outspoken opinions
came from the Rev. John L. Belford.
pastor of the Roman Catholic Church
OF the Nativity. Classon avenue and
/ Madison street. Brooklyn. who said the
! proposals should be accepted.
II am not In q position to speak for
the Irish people" said the Rev. Mr.. Bel
ford. Those who are living in Ireland
are the ones best able to Judge what
is best for themselves. Personally,
think I would accept the offer. have
always believed that dominion form
Of government would be ideal for Ire
land hope the Irish people will not
stand out for anything that will stand
In the way Of peace. Think they should
accept any sort OF a reasonable offer
that will bring about peace. I believe
that some sort of compromise should be
made with Ulster, IL possible. to bring
Ulster in. Ulster cannot get along eco
nomically without the rest of Ireland.
/ BY all means, Net any reasonable offer
now that win bring peace be accepted
and leave to the future any further de-
mands in the hope that what is right
and just will prevail
The Importance of a settlement with
| Ulster was stressed by Lawrence God
kin. who for many years has kept In
close touch with the Irish situation.
'It Is all question of Sir James
Craig and Ulster" said Mr.. Godkin. II
believe the proposals Of Lloyd George. as
reported in THE New York HERALD.
form reasonable basis for settlement
and believe south Ireland will accept
them. But Ulster has, got to come in.
and there comes the hitch OF the whole
| thing"
stands Out for Republic.
John Jerome Rooney, lawyer and
| member OF the Friends OF Irish Free
domand the national council of the
American Association for the Recogni-
tion OF the Irish Republic. said that
while II might be better to have one
chain than ten" he was opposed to ac1
cepting anything short OF n republic.
Personally. I am not In favor OF
waving the Idea OF republic" said Mr..
Rooney. "The representatives Of ireland
should be left free TO pass on these pro-
posais as they see fit. of couCse. but the
idea OF separate nationality has become
no firmly fixed in my mind and In the
minds OF many others here that don't
think any substitute for sovereign inde-
pcndence would be acceptable.
"One chain around the neck OF Ireland
of a nation is that II should have no
chains at all. The fact that all groups
are trying to bring about a peace is good,
but peace without the attainment OF
ones object is not good shall con-
tinue ohope that some time Ireland
may have the absolute right to Ak its
| own Government"
Father Francis r. Duffy. rector Of the
Holy Cross Church and war chaplain Of
the Sixty-ninth Infantry, said:
II am reluctant to express my opinion
regarding dominion home rule because
the Irish constitptional party, TO which
have belonged almost all of my life.
has been fooled so many times by the
English that | prefer 10 walt until such
time as home rule is actually put into
effect.
The Irish should be very cvareful in
accepting good will on the part OF the
| British Government. would rather
leave II 10 the people OF 1reland--De
Valera and the others. Will abide by
their decision"