The New York herald., 1921-07-10
PEACE FOR IRELAND
IS NEAR, SAYS GIBBS
But 0utburst of Passion or
Sinister Move May
Ruin Plans.
BOYCOTT HURTS ULSTER
With Britain's Military Pro-
lection De Valera Would
Accept Home Rule.
BOYCOTT HURTS ULSTER
by SIR PHILIP GIBBS.


Copyright. 1921, bD THE NEW YoAx HERALD
LONDON, July 9.-In my despatch
last week ventured to say that
reason and realism were beginning
to replace passion and illusion in
the settlement of world affairs. OPP
tlmism would be carried too far IL
one prophesied an unchecked career
or common sense, which is a most
uncommon quality, but events the
last few days and the trend Of
thought among European statesmen
are In favor Of my cheerful fore
cast
BY the settlement Of the coal
strike and the agreement for wage
reductions in the engineering, cot
ton, shipbuilding and bricklaying in
dustries, Great Britain has passed
through the worst crisis in the his
tory Of her trade, and after fright
full losses may look forward to re-
vival of work and business. This
cannot be rapid because OF the
permanent damage done to foreign
markets by all this fatal strife, and
because even now intensive indus
try and efficiency are not yet or
ganized by national spirit of SER
vice to the point needed to COM
pete with foreign labor and energy.
But the factories are getting busy
again and orders are coming in.
In some parts OF the political
horizon the storm clouds are pass
ing and there is at least herald
ing Of light and peace. There may
be peace even in Ireland. incredible
as that may seem. In my recent
articles ! have not dealt with the
Irish situation, though II is always
in my thoughts. because ] could not
say anything helpful or likely to
avoid raising premature hope. though
have known OF the progress of
negotiations behind the scenes.
Indications of Erfn's Peace.
Even now the chance for peace
hangs by a thread which may be
cut at any moment by passion or
sinister deliberations among small
groups OF men. without going into
the question OF right or wrong or
any kind Of controversy I would like
to set down i. few aspects of fact
which may lead at last to fair set
tlement OF all this tragedy.
One important influence at work
is the presence OF the colonial
Premiers and especially General
smuts. whose personality, gifts OF
knowledge and speech and far
reaching vision cannot be disregard
ed by Premier Lloyd George and his
colleagues. These dominion states
men are all for an honorable settle
ment in Ireland to the utmost lin
Its consistent with Imperial safety
and the union OF free peoples At
the same time their advice comedies
with increasing pressure that is be-
ing brought TO bear on the British
Government by all shades Of opinion
In Great Britain. threatening to
break up the coalition II the spirit of
the Kings speech is wiltully disre-
garded.
The British people are ready now,
and have been for long time. to
make generous concessions TO Ire
lend ~ there is any sign that gener-
osity will be accepted by similar
splrit without guile and with a
cessation Of hostilities on both sides
as a prelude 10 peace. But now. "a
always. any settlement between Ire
land and England. must be thwarted
I'm advance unless there is a COM
nromise and conciliation between
Catholic Ireland and Protestant Ul-
ster.
Financial Pinch 7. reit.
That is the hardest snsg OF all.
for here race, religion. hatred and
bigotry. historical memories that
have burnt into human brains. and
most stubborn intolerance and tenn
per clash in psychological conflict
But something has happened In Ul-
ster that has happened in other parts
OF Europe with equal influence on
political opinion.
Financial disaster has been stern
schoolmaster. and passion itself dies
out in the face OF economic neces-
sity. Ulster has been losing an i'm
mense amount OF trade by the boy
colt OF Catholic ireland. Her linen
industry has dwindled, owing to the
loss OF markets. Her hanks are In