The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-08-20
Lords and Commons Both
Firm Against More
Concessions.
FACTIONS SUPPORT
STAND OF PREMIER
Labor and Unionist
Chiefs Agree to Lloyd
George Program.

Csp,ca.l c.sis to TAs wsshtngtoa Hsrsid)
LONDON, Aug. 1a-Sinn Fein
Ireland heard the rattle Of the
British saber In the house Of lords
this afternoon when Lord Birken-
head, supporting Lord Curzon's mo-
ton for adjournment until October
told the peers that the rejection Of
Lloyd Georges terms means civil
war.
Conflict Is necessary. said Lord
Birkenhead. for the purpose Of pre-
venting the secession Of Southern
Ireland from the British Empire.
Premier Lloyd George in the
house of commons gave utterance
to q statesmanlike and carefully
worded warning of the govern
ment's attitude II q breakdown in
the negotiations occurs While the
premier was speaking. Birkenhead
and Curzon gave voice to their bold
and warlike sentiments to the great
satisfaction OF the Unionists, who
are strenuously opposing the liberal
terms OF the government
says Force Too Small.
Lord Birkenhead said: IF the
events OF the past year nave proved
anything they have proved that the
number OF soldiers and police in
Ireland were inadequate.
TN the event of a breakdown in
the negotiations the government
will take whatever steps are nee
essary to prevent secession and
take those steps with the spirit
and determination adopted by the
Northern States OF American to-
wards the South in 1851"
stiII Has Hope.
In ths house of commons Lloyd
George appeared still hopeful, but
he lsft no doubt that II the terms
were rejected the government
would accept IL as an unmistakabls
challenge to the authority OF the
crown and the unity Of the empire.
The premier asked for a free
hand for the executive depart
msnts to take emergency measures
until Parliament can be summoned.
He divulged the fact that the gov
ernments plan Is, and that 1t is all
prepared. to throw unprecedented
military forces across the Irish Sea.
These important statements by
the two government leaders clearly
emphasized that Britain has placed
all her cards on the table.
They are believed to reveal a
solidarity Of political opinion in
England where the offer is consid-
ered very llberal-the only crIti-
cism in fact coming from the
Unionist groups, which claim that
IT is. IL anything, too generous IN its
application
Wins Labor Support.
This Is particularly indicated IN
the attitude Of Herbert II. AsquIth
and J. H. Thomas. of the Opposition
and Labor parties, both of whom
are usually found in bitter debate
against Lloyd Georges policies, but
who on this occasion are found
supporting him.
Lloyd Georges speech itself has
served to stabilize the nervousness
which has developed through the
country.
lie opened his eagerly expected
statement carefully and cautiously.
declaring:
Nothing can be said at this stage
which can be possibly helpful-and
there is the danger that some word
will be used which would be cap
able of misunderstanding.
The Irish atmosphere at best Is
always full of suspicion which dis
torts facts as we'll as fancies. Great
Britain must accept her full share
Of the responsibility for this condi-
tion of Irish atmosphere.
"All the government has to say
has been said in the two letters to
De Valera"
Wants World Sympathy.
The premier frankly declared
that the reason that the complete
terms were embodied In these let
ters was because Of "the Importance
Of ranging by the side of these pro-
posals all the sane opinion, not
merely of England and ireland. but
that of the whole world"
Lloyd George defended the gov
ernment from the criticism that the
terms were too liberal by empa-
sizing the governments desire to
placate the Irish people.
In Ireland, as far as can see,"
he said, there is doubt not so
much as to the terms, as to whether
the government really meant them
or not. That is a question of ex-
PLANTATION. elucidation. elaboration.
The outline cannot be altered nor
the basis changed"
The approval of Lloyd Georges
Irish proposals by his political
enemy, Asquith, was categorical
Thomas, however, added that the
negotiations had reached a stage
where the Irish question has ceased
TO be q party question. and should
be viewed neither from the stand
Mint of narfv n0r Oolifical advopf