Norwich bulletin., 1921-08-27

king from the men who in Ireland agi- tate the repeal of the Union Never was there no grosser calumny than to assert that they wish to pro duce separation between the two coun- tries. Never was there greater mis- take than to suppose that we wish to dissolve the connection
 The premier then quotes a letter writ ten in 1854 to the Duke of Wellington by Thomas Davis, "a feryent exponent of the ideals of young Ireland" as ad- vocating the retention of the imperial parliament and the giving to Ireland of senate selected by the people; the right of levying customs and excise and other taxes; the making of roads, harbors, railways, canals and bridges: encourag- ing manufacturers, commerce, agricul ture and fishing, and the settling of the poor laws, tithes, tenures, grand juries and franchises.
 All That O'Connen Asked.
 ''The British government" the text Ol the reply of MT. Lloyd George contin- ues, Offered Ireland all that O'Connell and Thomas Davis asked and more we are met only by an unqualified demand that we should recognize Ireland as a foreign power. It is playing with phras- es to suggest that the principle of gov. ernment by consent of the governend
 
 our part or that in repudiating it we are straining geographical and historical considerations to justify claim to ascen- dancy over the Irish race.
 There is no political principle, how ever clear, that can be applied without regard to limitations imposed by physi- cal and historical facts. Those limita- tions are as necessary as the very prln- ciple itsef to the structure of every free
 f1,n dissolution of all democratic stataes. It was on these elementary grounds, that we called attention to the governing force of the geographical propinquity of these two islands and of their long ana historic associations, despite the great difference of character of the races.
 Economic Separation ImpracticabIe.
 "We do not believe a permanent rec onciliation between Great Britain and Ireland can ever be attained without recognition of their physca- and histori- cal independence, wh1cis makes com plete political and economic separation imprseticable for both.
 'I cannot better express the British standpoint in this respect than in the words used of the northern and southern states by Abraham Lincoln in his first , inaugural address. They were spoken by him on the brink of tha American Civil war which he was striving to avert Physically speaking, he said we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sections from each other now and build an impossible wall between them. II is impossible then to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory after separation than before. Suppose you go to war, you cannot fight always. and when after much loss on both sides and no gain for either you cease fighting, the identical old questions as to terms of intercourse again are upon i you
 Tt do not think it can reasonably be contended that the relations between Great Britain and Ireland are in any | different case.
 "I thought I had made it clear, both | in my conversations with you and in my two subsequent communications, that we can discuss no settlement which involves refusal on the part of Ireland to accept our invitation to a free. equal and loyal partnership in the British commonwealth under one sovereign.
 T am reluctant to precipitate this is. sue, but joint point out that a prolonga' ton of the present state of agairs is dangerous. Action is being taken in va rious directions which, if continued would prejudice the truce and must ult mately lead to it's termination. Thi! would indeed be deplorableJ.
 Cannot ProlOng Exchange of Notes.
 While therefore prepared to make ev cry allowance as to time which will ad vance the cause of peace, we cannot pro long mere exchange of notes It ii essential that some definite and imme diate progress should be made toward a basis upon which further negotiation can usefully proceed. Your letter seem to us, unfortunately, to show no sucl progress.
 Tn this and my previous letters have set forth the considerations whicl must govern the attitude of his majesty government in any negotiations whcI they undertake. If you are prepared t examine how far these considerations cal be reconciled with the aspirations yo represent shall be happy to meet yo and your colleagues.
 (Signed)
 "TJnYO cEOpcu" "