New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
Craig Protests Union With Sinn Fein;
lloyd George Against T,Uo Donai,ions

and navy and other imperial services
in common with the taxpayers of the
United Kingdom.
THE members for northern Ireland
at Westminster would otherwise be vot-
ing for policies in parliament the ex-
penses of which they would not share,
1t would be inevitable if northern Ire
land were to remain a part of the
United Kingdom for Belfast to bear
the same burden as Liverpool. Glasgow
or London. These illustrations are by
no means exhaustive, but they are
sufficient to show the kind of difficult
ties that must arise from the grant Of
dominion powers to part of Ireland
only.
Britain Making Sacrifices
at will be evident that the people
sacrifices for the sake of a settlement,
Heavily burdened though Great Brit
ain is, the government, with the full
consent of public opinion at home and
throughout the empire, are offering to
forego her right to exact from Ireland
any contribution to future imperial
expenses. Single-handed, the British
nation assumes responsibility for inl-
perial defense, except SO far as Ireland
anu Tue QOlbiillOuS may resolve OIL LQelr
own free will to contribute to the cost.
His majesty's government have
purposely reviewed the problem in
broad outline only. The details of any
settlement cannot be satisfactorily ap-
preached except by discussion between
all parties concerned 1t is impossible
by correspondence to deal adequately
with even the main features of the
question as it now stands, and his
| majesty's government cordially invite
the ministers of northern Ireland to
meet them in conference, with q view
to a full and frank exchange of views"
Reply of Premier Craig
In his reply, dated November II, Sir
James Craig wrote:
"The question of giving their allegi-
ance to the throne does not arise in
the case of the people of Ulster, as
they have always been among his
majestys most loyal ana devoted SER
wants, but they will gladly embrace
any opportunity that may be afforded
them of emphasizing afresh their 10y
atty to his majesty's crown and person,
which was so signally displayed on
the occasion of the opening of the
Parliament of northern Ireland by his
majesty in June last. 1t has always
been the desire Of northern Ireland
to remain in the closest possible union
with Great Britain and the empire
which Ulster men have helped to build
up and to which they, are proud to
! belong.
THE government of northern Ireland
feel constrained to observe that it is
with surprise they find the question
of allegiance to the throne and mem
! bership in the British Empire include ed
among the heads of your proposals, in
| asmuch as it has more than once been
uncquivocally stated by yourself in
the published correspondence with rep
] resentatives of southern Ireland that
these two fundamentals were not open
for discussion.
THE government of northern Ire
land, having made their own position
clear, hold that the attitude of south
ern Ireland toward these points is 4
matter which, as it affects the solidar
ity of the empire. rests with his ma
jesty's ministers to decide.
Surprised by Revision Talk
"Not only does northern Ireland as
sent to provision being made for those
naval services which his majesty's gov
ernment deem indispensable for Grear
Britain and her oversee communica
tion, but will be ready at any time ts
cooperate TO the utmost of her ability
Az any NiCdSu u2S Sidt may OC tdhcH lOl
such purpose.
"As a final settlement and supreme
sacrifice in the interests of peace, tn,
government of Ireland act of 1920 wa.
accepted by northern Ireland, although
not asked for by her representatives.
Sir James expressed surprise tha
Lloyd George should think it necessar,
to emphasize that he did not inten(
to take away any of the powers giver
I raCovfl,y 1oc c+
"We observe with considerable con
Germ that the area within the jurisdic
tion of the northern Parliament is re
ferred as being open to possible re
vision. This question was very care
fully and fully considered in all it
aspects when the government of Ire
land act was under discussion in Par
lament last year. The area finall,
decided upon was defined in the ae'
and it forms no less essential a par
of the act than the powers conferred
upon the northern Parliament.
Oppose Ali-Ireland Parliament
"The possible unity of Ireland is pro
vided for by the establishment Of tn
| Council of Ireland under the act o
1920 together with the machinery 70
creating parliament for all Ireland
should northern and southern Irelan
agree to do so. The proposal now mad
to establish an All-Ireland Parliamen
by other means presupposes that sucl
agreement is not necessary. An All
Ireland Parliament cannot under tn
existing circumstances be accepted b.
northern Ireland. Such parliamen
is precisely what Ulster has for man
years resisted by all means at her dis
posal, aud her detestation of II 10 il
: r ty ~ lrea Of