Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-07-20
NEGOTIATIONS STRIKE A sNAG.

~ LIN AAioi IpSSOCldllOlS7i ldfC d SNdS.$duQ
the lively. hopes for an early and satisfactory Settle
ment which were entertained when the converse
tlons between British and Irish leaders began have
been perceptibly chilled. The. present obstruction
this time is.,presented by Sir James. Craig, premier Of
Ulster, in his refusal to participate in the confer
ences between Lloyd George and De Valera. and in
the reasons which he declares in support Of this at
titude. "a
Sir James applies to Ulster the principle of self
determination which Sim Fein. applies to all Ire
land The argument runs something like this: Sim
Fem stands, for the right of Ireland to separate her
self from the British empire. The Ulster Unionists
maintain that the people of Ulster are at liberty to
remain within the empire if they choose, and on
terms satisfactory to themselves. A majority Of the,
Ulster people have declared for acceptance of the
parliamentary form of government which has lust
gone into effect. The Sim Fem element in Ulster
participated in the parliamentary election and there
by bound themselves to abide by its result. That
element was heavily outvoted, and the decision thus
made must stand. The situation in Ulster is settled.
Inc form OF government: in that district is estab-
lished. On this subject there are no questions pend
ing between Ulster and the government in London !;
and questions pertaining to the government Of us
ter cannot properly be discussed with representa-
,t1ves of the south of Ireland. The settlement Of af-
fairs in the south of Ireland is a matter for discus
jslon by the representatives: of the British govern
'ment and OF the people of the south of Ireland, and
IN such discussion Ulster cannot participate.
From the brief Geographic dispatch quoting the
Ulster premier the above seems to be a fair state
ment OF his position. That there is a strong element
ot logic in it is undeniable. Whether or not the,
ilcglc is perfect is a sub ect in which there will be a
very decided difference of opinion.
1t ls:easy to take sides. It is easy to criticize at
a distance. 1T is not SO easy, at a distance, to under:
stand the motives which govern the acts of men. It
is easy to say that the Ulster premier is captious- and
Itechn1cal, and that in a case involving the peace, se-
icurity and prosperity of millions of human beings,
and, conceivably, the stability Of more than one gov
eminent, the head of the Ulster government could
have done no less than join with others in 3 sincere
effort to reach such an understanding as would end
the strife which has cursed, not only the south Of
ireland, but the section in which he holds the chief
position of responsibility. 1t is easy to say that he
could have done this without prejudicing the in
tegrlty and the independence Of Ulster reserving the
right to reject any arrangement which he were con-
WINGED would be unsatisfactory to his own people.
Such criticism is easy to those who think them
selves capable of settling the affairs of Ireland at a
distance of several thousand miles, Notwithstanding
the tact that the problems involved have ~perplexed
statesmen of no little ability for a good many years.
And, II it shall prove that the present answer of hef
premier is the definite and final answer of Ulsterit
rs difficult to see why such criticism will be lust.
And it will be recalled that on a former occasion it
was the intractability of Ulster extremists that
stood in the way of a settlement which. a that time
would have been accepted by the rest Of ireland.
But It IS not certain. that the declaration of Sir
james Craig is intended to be final The premier
has gone home to confer with his associates, and the
1NcO- os4StOSS cams IHS lCIulH. IL Inlay DC CldC
his statement is intended as a public reservation Of
all the rights that Ulster possesses, and that he will.
be authorized to participate in a conference which.
will not jeopardize those rights.
It may be taken for granted that the moderate
Sim Fem element If there is 9ne-does not now
really expect either the separation Of ireland from
the empire or the inclusion Of all ireland under a,
single parliament at this time. Concessions, at least
to this extent, are to be expected. But the easier
they are made the better for all concerned, and if q
iconfrence in which representatives Of both sections
lot Ireland participate will help matters, it will be
lpoor statesrnannshipS to permit anything to stand in
Its way.
For fear that it may grow worse lets cali the
shipping board deficit four hundred millions, and
Ilet IT go at that.
Most of US can remember the shock that came
with the kacwledgestha we had a billion dollar con-.
lgress, Now we learn that in a singlesyear our ex.
Ipenditufes have been cut down one and one4half Bill:
lion, and yfhatswe are still paying i IS q plenty.
#S#
Chs number d. banks holding redeposits from
the Bank Of North Dakota has been reduced much
afaster than fhr amount Of redeposits. ii IS the small.
idepcslts that are being gathered IN. The big DE-
lposits. are 81 League banks