The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-07-18

not functioning.
Walsh has a way of keeping quiet
when he has stated the essential point
and allowing others who happen to
be present to waste their strength
on the less essential things.
So I did II. I said:
THAT puts II all I'm a nutshell.
But there is one other statement
necessary for complet eness. In old
days the stronger side exterminated
the weaker side. The British people
are not In a stage of civilization when
such a course can be followed by the
British government"
British Not Governing.
The Sim Feiners have produced
what Europeans and American diplo-
mats love to call un fait accompli-an
accomplished fact. The British have
been going through the forms Of gov
eminent in Ireland. but they have not
been governing.
The people have paid no attention
to their DEGREES. The courts might
render decisions. or the administrative
machinery might issue orders. and
nothing whatever happened. 1t had
all become so much paper
On the other hand, the Irish gov
eminent. although prosecuted, has
nevertheless functioned. Its orders
have been carried out by the popula-
ton. That in modern conditions or
civilization, spells victory.
Whatever happens in the confer
ences now going on, the victory Is
won. II the conferences continue to
go well. the victory is immediate. II
they go badly, the victory will be only
little while postponed.
Boycott Is Effective.
II these conferences fail, the Irish
government will go on just the same.
And the British government will find
it's coercive measures more and more
difficult to carry out on account OF
the gradually increasing knowledge In
the British population that barbarous
methods have been used.
One aspect of the success of the
Irish government is the success of the
boycott, and that step is being felt
every day more severely in Ulster. 1t
is not only the boycott on goods, but
banking facilities and railroad facili-
ties.
Today 1t looks as II fighting out the
contest to it's foregone conclusion
would not be necessary. The ex.
tremists OF the Lord Birkenhead type
hcve brought things to such a muddle
that conservatives like Lord Derby
md liberals like General SHUTS work
a.ls by side in seeking a method by
which full dominion home rule can
be guaranteed, including the much.
disputed fiscal autonomy.
Victory Already Won
The absolute importance Of fiscal
autonomy can be appreciated by any
body who Is sufficiently well informed
and sufficiently honest to realize that
in the past there has been gross over.
taxation of Ireland and deliberate de.
struction of Irish industries.
When the victory Is in sight In no
time to give up an essential, and De
Valera has been entirely firm on the
fiscal question. On the other hand, he
has made IT clear from the beginning
that he appreciated tho british MILL
tary and naval fears.
In othef words, De Valera has been
a statesman in that he has sought
the welfare, freedom and safety OF
his own country and has not sought
to interfere with the safety OF the
adjoining country.
Troubles in England and In many
parts OF the empire make the British
eager to conclude a peace. The SUI.
ferings Of the Irish people make their
leaders eager to conclude a peace. But
the outstanding fact Is that, whether
or not It is now formally recognized,
the victory is already won.