The Washington herald., 1921-07-17
British Dominions Claim
Privilege of Free Nations
Gibbs Says Premiers' Conference Shows
Changed State Smuts at Helm
Hopes for Irish Peace.

and as sign OF reconciliation and
nope they fraternIzed with the
British troops who hated the WORK
they were ordered to do and the
hostility Of people with whom they
had no cause to quarrel except ror
an enemy in disguise among them
threatening them always with Sc
eret death IL ever they should walk
alone.
The main body OF the Irish peo-
pie is not. I am sure. against a rea-
sonaole compromise, but their lead
ers and devotees of republican
claims are profoundly perturbed. At
the first hint Of peace negotiation,
they were afraid that De Valera
himself might yield to persuasion
and for the sake Of ending blood
shed might surrender his republican
ideals.
Demand Complete Liberty.
There are still many Of them who
would regard such a surrender as
treachery to their dead and who re-
fuse to accept full dominion home
rule as anything but an INSTALL
ment toward a republican state.
They are irreconcilabie to any form
OF compromise, to any link what
ever with Great Britain, to any
torm OF government which does not
give them absolute sovereign pow
er.
These are not gunner bu, ia
telectuals Of the Sim Fein. priest,
and literary men who have heen ,h.
real spirit behind the guerrilla VA
iare tanning its fires.
As far as the Irisb r.,uh,,
is concerned. I believe many
.hese boys who were conscripted
hoer terror would willingly law
1o"h arms but there are MANY ,,,,,
am told on good authority. who
e prepared only for fghting with
insured in their hearts and will NOT
easily be demobilized.
DE Valera Is sincere.
vi De Valera's sincere desire for
peace l have never been in dopht
because | know friends Of his xho
assured me OF that some time ago.
ana gave me certain Information
that he would accept dominion bom.
rule II IL were fully guaranteed and
III Ulster would consent to a, ult,-
mate union with the rest Of Ireland
Ulster is still. as IL always has he.S,
the rock upon which an Irisk set
uement has split in twain, Tn.
ulster leaders would not abzte one
1ot for compromise during the ma
tional convention in 1917.
AS soon as the King made HIS
speech in Belfast and Premier Lloyd
George wrote his letter to Sir lame,
Craig, the old Ulster leaders came
from theeir lairs TO refuse any con-
cessions TO the Catholic Irish. ana
Ulster mobs chased their hereditary
enemies out Of house and home
shipyards and factories.
Last week sinister ideas were ex-
pressed by men Of narrow vision
and narrower hearts. The OranR,
fanatics vowed that they would
clear all Pspists out OF the six com.
ties OF Ulster and let the southwe.t
play about with the negotiations
which would never succeed.
Politicians at Fault,
Then when the negotiations broke
down they would get il in the
neck" from a stronger army of 'oc-
cupation.
An Irish friend of mine remarked:
The orangemen like to see Catholic
rebels punished and have confidence
in their political friends in Eng
land"
No doubt there are still hard
faced politicians in England whose
hatred of Ireland is so great that
they would prefer Irish peace to be
broken in order TO give an excuse
for a new campaign Of conquest, but
/ think that is a libel on the main
body of opinion in the house Of
commons as well as in the country.
and that England. as a whole. is
ready to 60 the whole way to do
minion home rule with the most ar
dent desire to end the strife in Ire
land and to insure a permanent
friendship with the Irish people at
all costs this side Of republic
Their great fear at the very begin
ming OF the negotiations was that
Ulster would again prove the STUN
bling block and that De Valera was
refusing 20 face facts when he kept
on repeating that Ulster must sub
init to the decision Of the Irish ma.
jority.
Trade May Bring Peace.
can see only one chance OF a
union between these two sections
of Irish people, and that is economic
necessity. As ! stated last week
Ulster has been hard hit in her trade
by the boycott from the rest of Ire
land and by the fall OF her export
trade. Her banks are in a perilous
state, despite optimistic declara-
tions, as am informed, and politi-
cal independence will cost her very
dear.
Beyond that / can say nothing in
prophecy Of real and permanent
success as a result Of the Irish con-
ference. though IL the good will OF
British people in all parts OF the
empire could secure IL, success Is
secured. By prayers the simple folk
In all churches and homes are be-
sieging heaven itself for peace on
that island where there never has
been peace for something like a
thousand years.
Elsewhere there are efforts for
peace within and without the Brit
ish Empire.
Clarity Their viewa
The imperial premiers and Brit
ish statesmen have been clarifying
their ideals about the Anglo-Jap-
anese alliance and / can say with
out sny douht Uh.tev.r ,h.t a, ,h.,