The Washington herald., 1921-07-17
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
tsectien ons.)


ell and the right of consent On the
contrary the presence Of the I'M
perial premiers was welcomed
warmly because every one with any
kind Of a brain was aware that ow-
ing to the exhaustion OF war and
the wars effect OF stirring up am
hitions and racial disturbances in
all parts of the world the British
Empire has been challenged by
strong moving forces. by economic
and political perils which will de-
mand great wisdom and unity Of
idea and action and imperial CO.
operation.
smuts Locks Ferward.
Gen. Smuts is man who
never looks back for regret or
vengence. but always forward with
free and courageous vision. once
had the honor Of sitting at his side
in the presence of Premier Lloyd
George and talking with him about
ideals Of peace. With that simpll-
city which belongs 70 men who are
really great, he outlined the vision
which Afterwards became the ideals
Of the league of nations, not yet,
alas. fulfilled.
At the Peace Conference he stood
for liberty and conciliation and the
world still remembers his parting
words which gave but doubtful
blessing to that patch work treaty.
but was wistful Of q spirit nobler
than its terms. Those words were
not to the liking Of Mr.. Lloyd
George who had to stand the racket
nf what had hAAn Anna q
time. ! am told there was GOODNESS
between these two men. though once
Lloyd George had made Gen. Smuts
his friend and councillor.
Comes late His Own.
Now Gen. Smuts has come into
his own again, as he was bound to.
because Of his shining clarity Of
intelligence, his utter honesty OF
purpose and his noble persuasive
ness in the cause Of human toler-
ance. Without any reservations on
diplomatic subtieties he said:
Peace must be made in Ireland
for the sake of Justice and not i'm
perial prestige The problem is
difficult, but IL can be solved"
He stood clear above party con-
fiict and cruel bigotries. No petty
fogging politicians will be able 10
poison his mind or obscure the clear
purpose of his vision, and there are
men in England today in hign
places as well as low. who say he
Is the man we were looking for.
Why not make Smuts our next
prime minister?
A Boer. educated at Cambridge
and In arms against us in South
Africa is hardly designated to De
prime minister OF England. but
stranger things have happened in
history.
Hopes for Peace.
But now what of Ireland? / have
a passionate hope in my heart that
peace may come after these years
OF dirty civil war. this agony 70
women and children, this disgrace
to the finest qualities in both our
races damaging to our regulations
in all the world. But there are sti,i
evil forces at work on both sides
which will endeavor to break all
chances OF success OF negotiations
with age-long prejudices and ira
ditions. not too evil perhaps, but
stubborn and irreconcilable, which
were quickly mobilized to inter
vene
Let me analyze a little all tins
psychology that has been at work
in these last few days after Pre-
mier Lloyd Georges letter was re-
called by De Valera.
One side is simple enough. An
immense and pathetic hope has
been stirred in the hearts OF the
Irish people who belonged to the
non-combatant ranks and were the
victims OF the guerrilla war which
endangered their lives and property
and surrounded them with terror.
Lost Either wny.
To them, exploits OF the Sim Fem
army were as dangerous as retaf-
alton by British forces. They stood
to lose either way, between two
fires. Their nerves were torn to
tstters and they suffered from soul
chock.
So at the first hint or a truce
they prayed God to give them peace