Evening star., 1921-08-17
PEACE HOPES DIM
As IRISH PREPARE
TO REJECT OFFER
be Valera Declares Dali
+ .Eireann Will Not Accept
Terms of British.
STATUS OF A DOMINION
NOT PROPOSED, HE SAYS
Leader Asserts Right. to Secede,
Admitted to Dominions, Was De-
MED by Lloyd George.
By the Associated Press.

ADMITTED TO Uomln1onS, was Ue.
MED by Lloyd George.
BY the Associated Press.
DUBLIN. August 17.-Eamonn De
Valera, Irish republican leader. de
clared today that the dali eireann
would not accept the terms offered by
the British government, extending an
offer of dominion status.
Mr.. De Valera made this declara-
tion at the second session of the dali
eireann. held in the Mansion House.
to take up the question of the nego-
tiations with Premier Lloyd George
with-regard to a possible Irish set
tlerient.
From the reports this morning in
the British and foreign press" said
MIR. De Valera, there seems to be
doubt as to what our attitude is
toward the British proposals. There
seems to be doubt as to whether what
] have said or whether our letter
means acceptance or rejection.
There ought to be no doubt in any
body's mind. We cannot and will not.
on behalf of this nation, accept these
terms.
Quotes Indian PrOvefb.
There is an Indian proverb read
ing:
Fool me once. shame on you; fool
me twice. shame on me- The Irish
people will not be fooled this time.
1t is said we are offered the status
of dominion home rule for Ireland
the status OF the British dominions.
Ireland is offered no such thing. The
statement that Ireland was offered
hoods. Where Is Ireland? There is
no Ireland in the terms, but two
broken pieces of Ireland.
aominion ssstus erfe It WAS WAS aeI aamitted nssd
the doininions had the right to se-
cede and could get out If they de-
sired. We are told we must stay In,
whether we like it or not.
"We are not claiming the right to
secede. There cannot be question
of secession, because there has never
been union.
Northern -Ifeland has regarded it
eelf from its own viewpoint, and in
entering negotiations they need not
give up that point Of view. / would
be willing to suggest to the Irisl, peo-
ps prer as to ssy sxs sss S1sa ID deal odR R
into the future without anticipating
distracting internal problems"
No Ennity Toward North.
"All the time these negotiations
have meant an attempt to get into
touch with the people Of the north and
tell them we have no enmity and
would make sacrifices for them which
Britain. We will be ready to give
them every safeguard any reasonable
person could say they were entitled
to, and we are ready to leave the
question of the north to external az
bitration, or leave the whole question
TO external arbitration.
"England's claim is unreasonable.
'fhe claims of the minority in Ireland
are unreasonable. But even unreason-
able claims we would be ready to con-
go long way to give way to them.
particularly to their sentiment. if we
could get them to come with us and
slnsider the interests Of their own
country and not be allying themselves
with Foreigners
did not stand between England and
the world and was not shutting up
the seas between the two islands.
We have no enmity to England"
he declared. "At least. IL this ques-
lion were settled 1 believe there
10 that rule which Irish people hate to
The marrow of their bones.''
Says Irish Won't FIineh.
1t was said. remarked the republican
leader, that the Irish question was a
problem. 1t was a problem. he de-
ctared-a problem of a powerful selfish
the Fights. she PROPERTY ynS1eh snd the frsen pen
dom Of his neighbors. That was the
fundamental problem to be settled
Human nature had to be taken into
consideration. he pointed out. and
they who were working for a COM
plete and final settlement were to see
TO it that relations must be adjusted
on the basis of right. Therefore, in
considering the problem they who had
right on their side, he said, must count
count.
The Irish people won't finch now
because more arms are being sent
for" he declared
An entirely fresh audience was in
the Mansion House today for the ses-
sion, 1t having been decided to issue
new tickets each day so as to satisfy
the demands of the thousands who
want to attend the sittings.
As soon as the applause given the
members as they entered had died
down. the dali proceeded to business,
Mr.. de Valera taking up the ques-
tfon OF the negotiations.
wide Difference ON Ulster.
It was understood before the ses-
sion the members of the dali were
discussing privately the possibility of
inducing Ulster to join southern Ire
land. or, as an alternative, accepting
the status of separate dominion.
n wide dfnerence OF opinion appears
to prevail.
As to the pressure. the moderate
organs among the newspapers re-
frain from passing opinion upon the
terms, but quote freely from the
American and English press,
1t was announced this forenoon that
applause would be prohibited at to-
days session except when the mem.
bers were entering.
The public meeting of the dali
eireann was adjourned his-afternoon
to an indefinite date. Private ses-
Continued on Page 2. Column ~
'MAY NAN BE KO,