New-York tribune., 1921-12-15
Lloyd George Defends Irish
Treaty in Speech in Commons

of tho million men---young, strong,
brave, indomitable young men--who
came from the dominions to help the
n otherIand in our danger, and realized
that they came to help the empire to
carry out the policy they had no share
in shaping, we felt that In future It
would be an unfair dilemma to put
them in. The control of foreign policy
Is now invested in the empire as
whole, That is the new fact. Joint
control means joint responsibility"
Replying to an interjection as TO
how it was proposed to enforce the
limitation of armed forces in Ireland,
the Premier argued chat if the treaty
were broken it would not be q ques-
ton of one article, but of the whole
agreement. The empire had been capa-
bic OF dealing with breaches of treaties
with more formidable powers than
Ireland, but Great Britain would want
to feel perfectly clear when she did
so that the responsibility was not hers,
but was entirely on the other shoulder.
Opposed to Any Amendments
Mr.. Lloyd George admitted that The
British representatives gave only a re-
luctant assent to fiscal freedom for Ire
land, but took into consideration the
fact that Ireland was more dependent
upon Great Britain in the matter Of
trade than Great Britain was upon Ire
land, and that, therefore, the question
Of danger 60 British trade was one that
would ultimately rest in British hands.
The Premier said the introduction of
amendments to the treaty would un-
doubtedly wreck the agreement, and
that, unless She question Of entering
into Che agres3nent was seriously chal-
lenged, it weufd be,a waste of the time
Of the House to enter into defense
Mr.. Lloyd George said there were
many peculiar Irish difficulties. Ire
lands geographical strategic position
was analogous to that OF no other
dominion: Every other dominion had
its war debts and pensions, he added,
and If that had not been dealt with
the Irish alone would have come out
of the war untaxed. He said there was
also the difficulty arising from deeply
rooted religious animosities, so exag-
gerated that fears had TO be dealt with
as facts. He said one Of the greatest
questions was the peculiar position Of
north Ireland, which had wrecked every
proposed settlement before the present
one.
Complete Allegiance Accepted
With reference to the question of al
legiance to the crown, which was oues-
toned in the House, he said he would
reply fully later, contenting himself
now with the statement that there had
Deen. complete acceptance of allegiance
10 the British crown, acceptance of
membership in the empire and accept
ance OF common citizenship.
Alluding to the question of dominion
status, Mr.. Lloyd George declared if
Iull and complete dominion status had
peen conferred Ireland would have had
power to raise any army or navy she
llked, and he instanced the fact that
scotland during the war raised TOO, ,0OO
men. How could Great Britain have
pursued a policy Of disarmament at
nome and abroad II Ireland had been
thus able to raise possibly a half mil
lion men? he asked.
Ihat was an international objection,
besides, If Ireland had been entitled to
raise large forces, northern Ireland
would nave been driven to initiate the
sourh In It's own protection. 1t was
under such menacing circum stances
that conflicts were likely to arise, and
it was desirable in the interests Of the
empire, the world and Ireland ;tself
that there should be limitation. At the
same time it was impossible to leave
the. government responsible for Law
and order without certain number of
armed forces, and the limit was sci
not beyond what was needed for this
purpose.
Control Own Internal Affairs
when I read statement at the re.
quest of the imperial conference tc
this House concerning what passed at
our gathering" the Premier declared
I referring to dominion status, az pointed
, out the anxiety Of the dominion nre.
miers M not to have any rigid definition
we realized the dangers of ririditv
and many of the premiers delivered
notable speeches then, emphasizing the
Importance of not defining zoo pre-.
ciseiy what the relations Of the do.
nlnions were to ourselves. what their
powers were, and what were the limits
OF the crown powers.
"!t is something that has never heen
im.eea I'M ny act Of Parliament, even in
this TINS country. All we can say is what
ever measures Of freedom dominion
status gives Canada, Australia and
South Africa are extended also IN ~
ireland. There will be guaranty
in the mere fact that the status s"is is
the same, and that wherever there is
an attempt to encroach on the rights
OF Ireland every other dominion will
feel that it's own position is being
put In jeopardy.
Dominion status means. in nrac-
sice, complete control over their own
internal affairs. without any inter.
ference from any other part Of the
empire. They are the rulers of their
own hearths, and the representative Of
the sovereign will set on tho advice
OF the dominion ministers.
Shares in Responsibilities
"Ths position Of tho dominions re-
garding external affairs has been com
plcsely rcvolutionized In tho last four
years. The machinery of the dominion
is the machinery Of the British Sov-
erntnent, with It's Foreign Ofloe ana ito
ambassadors. Tho machine must re-
mein here. 1t Is impossible that It
could be otherwise.
"That has been accepted by all the
dominions. They claim voice in de-
ternlining tho lines OF policy, and at
the last imperial conference they dis