New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-22
The Ulster Covenant


A reader asks for a publication of
the Ulster covenant Of 1912. Here
it is:
"Being convinced in our consciences
that (all-Irelandl Home Rule would
be disastrous to the material we'll
being of Ulster, as we'll as the whole
of Ireland, subversivc of our civil
and religious freedom, destructive of
our citizenship, and perilous to the
unity of the empire, we, whose names
are undersigned, men of Ulster, loyal
subjects of His Gracious Majesty
King George V, humbly relying on
the God Whom our fathers in days
of stress and trial confidently trust
ed, do hereby pledge ourselves in
solemn covenant, through this our
time Of threatened calamity, to stand
by one another in defending for our
selves and our children our cherished
position of equal citizenship in the
United Kingdom, and in using all
means that may be found necessary
to defeat the present conspiracy to
set up Home Rule Parliament in
Ireland. And in the event of such
Parliament being forced upon us we
further solemnly and mutually
pledge ourselves to refuse to recog-
nize its authority"
This declaration was unanimously
adopted by an assemblage probably
the largest ever seen in Ireland. To
it 100000 men marched, when it
seemed as if the British Parliament
were about to pass a Home Rule act
which placed Ulster under the rule
Of southern Ireland.
The present deadlock in the Irish
negotiations seems surprising to
many Americans. There is comment
which assumes that something new
has been injected. Ulster is said to
have suddenly flung an apple of dis
cord into the discussion and is ac-
cused Of the bad motive Of wishing
to prevent any Irish settlement.
The record wars with the assump-
ton. listers attitude has long been
defined. While not arrogating to it.
self right to dictate to the British
Parliament its policy as to the re-
mainder of ireland, the province in
every possible way, even to the ex-
tent of arming to resist, has shown
its opposition to any project which
establishes what it regards as alien
rule. Americans who have not
known this and have taken for
granted that the island of Ireland is
unity have not understood the es-
sentials of the Irish question.
On the other side, the leaders Of
southern Ireland have likewise rec
ognized that the Ulster question was
the supreme one. Many times Home
Rule for themselves has been offered,
but they have rejected it except it
conferred dominion over Ulster. Set
Element efforts have failed not so
much because Great Britain insisted
on dominating all Ireland as because
southern Ireland insisted on dorni-
mating north Ireland. 1t was charged
against John Redmond that once he
had consented, or partially consent
ed, to partition.
Mr.. de Valera travels ground he
has often covered in argument when
he seeks to show that it is all wrong
for Great Britain to hold Ireland,
while it is all right for southern Ire
land to hold Ulster. Sim Fem agi-
tators in this country have avoided
discussion of the crucial issue, but
at home Sim Fem has not been able
similarly to ignore it.
When news comes that De Valera
is willing to give to others the same
measure of independence he demands
for himself, hats may be thrown up
in rejoicings over peace for all Ire
land. But, according to the last dis
patches, he was still insisting on his
eclectic policy. AS long as he clings
to this course the deadlock is likely
to continue, for practically all Great
Britain is unit in saying that Ul-
ster is not to be coerced into accept
ing the rule of southern Ireland,
and an Ulster Cabinet which talked
of giving consent would probably not
last an hour.
Cc.s IT, r. IL N.Y.