Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-09-05

The reply. which is addressed to
! Premier Lloyd George and signed BY
Eamonn De Valera, was given out at
| the prime minister's official residence
Sunday night.
| The text follows:
we. too, are convinced it is essen
tial that some definite and immediate
progress should be made toward a
basis upon which further negotiations
can usefully proceed, and recognize
the futIllty of a mere exchange of
argumentative notes. / shall there
tore refrain from commenting on the
fallacious historical references in your
iast communication. The present is
the reality with which we have to deal.
The conditions of today are the
ming up and giving in simplest form
the essential data of the problem.
These data are:
Acknowledge No Union.
First: The people of Ireland, ac-
knowIedglng no voluntary union with
Great Britain I'D claiming as their
fundamental and natural right to
choose freely for themselves the path
they shall take to realize their ma
tlonai destiny, have by an overwhelm-
-Ae ApoiAtss uCCldIeu IOE lQucD0uOGnco
and to set up republic, and more
than once have confirmed their choice.
Second: Great Britain on the
other hand. acts as though ireland
were bound to her by a contract of
union that forbids separation.
The circumstances of the sup-
posed contract are notorious. Yet.
on the theory of this validity. the
British government and parliament
claimed to rule and legislate for Ire
land. even to the point Of partitioning
Irish territory against the will Of the
Irish people and killing or casting into
prison every Irish citizen who refuses
allegiance. The proposals your gov
ernment submitted in the draft of July
20 are based fundamentally on the
latter premises. We rejected pro-
posals and our rejection is irrevocable.
They are not an invitation to Ireland
to enter into free and willing part
nershlp with the free nations Of the
British commonwealth. They are invi-
tations to Ireland to enter in the guise
of. and under conditions which deter
mine status definitely inferior to
that of these free states.
Refers to Provinces.
Canada, Australia. South Africa
and New Zealand are guaranteed
against domination of the major state.
not only by acknowledged constitutions,
right. which give them equality of stat
is with Great Britain and absolute
freedom from the control of the Brit
sh parliament, but by the thousands of
niles which separate them from Great
hrltalln: Ireland would have guaran
.ees neither of distance nor of right
The condition sought to be imposed
would divide her into artificial states.
Zach destructive of the others influ-
nee IN any common council. and both
subject to military. naval and eco
homie control by the British govern
nent.
The main historical and geograph
cal facts are not in disrepute. but your
government insists ON viewing them
rom your standpoint and we must be
flowed to view them from ours. The
history you interpret as debating union
We read as debating separation. Our
Interpretation of the fact of 'xeoxraph-
Y opposed. We are convinced thar
urs is the true and just Interpretation
nd as proof are willing; that a neutral
nd impartial arbitrator should be the
ldge. You refuse and threaten to
I've effect to your views by force
'ur reply must be that if you adopt
hat course we can only resist as gen
rations before us have resisted. Force
ill not solve the problem and It will
ever secure the ultimate victory over
eason and right.
Force VIII Not Rule.
IF you again resort to force, and ff
lctory be not on the side of Justice.
lie problem that confronts us Will con-
ont our successors. the fact that for
80 years the problem has resisted So
tion by force is evidence and warning
Efficient. 1t is true wisdom. there
IRE. and true craftsmanship. notsanv
Use idealism. that prompts me andfHy
,lleagues. Threats of force must be
It aside. They must be set aside
ON the beginning. as well as during
.tual conduct Of the negotiations.
"The respective plenipotentiaries
ust meet unencumbered by any condi-
ons save the facts themselves and
ust be prepared to reconcile subse-
tent differences. not by appeals to
rec. but by reference to some guiding
inciple Of government by consent Of
e governed.
"It is a simple expression of the test
which and proposed solution must
spond If it is to prove adequate and
can be used as the criterion for the
tails as well as for the whole. That
IL claim it as a peculiarly British
inciple. instituted by the British and
" the very. LIE of the British com
'nwealth, should make it especially