The Washington herald., 1921-12-15
LLOYD GEORGE
PLEADS FOR ERIN
PEACE TREATY
Tells Parliament 1t Makes
Ireland Ruler of Her
Own Hearth.

ATO-'bC-N. 1cS. In eAS
Irish treaty on its way through the
British Parliament-a passage that
will be somewhat stormy but which
will fall far short of wrecking the
agreement-Premie Lloyd George
skillfully defended the instrument
Of peace in the eyes of Britishers
and at the same time painted It
in attractive colors for his Irish au
dience.
His address to the house of dom-
mons, where a brilliant assembly of
diplomats and members of the aris-
tocracy marked the momentous
opening of Parliament by King
George. was a cleverly constructed
and logical appeal for ratification.
It may have lacked some Of the
usual Lloyd George vitality. but II
lacked none of the premier's dex-
terity. His task was particularly
difficult because at the very moment
he began his defense OF the treaty
the document was being made the
subject OF bitter recriminatIon in
Dublin.
Rules Her own Hearth.
The premier laid great stress
upon the fact that Great Britain has
gained every desired elemenc safe
Guarding the empire. including the
l. ish oath Of allegiance to the King,
AND control of the islands naval
and military defenses, white Ire
land has been made the ruler of
her. own hearth"
Il never like to be too confident
when I am talking about Ireland"
he added in qualification. II hesl-
tate to say that everything has been
settled. That has been SAID too
often in the past. But 1 can see
nothing better.
Lloyd George addressed the do
rinions quite as freely as Ireland
pointing out that the influence Of
British dominions within the past
four years has wholly revolution
lied the empires foreign policy. He
agreed that England must continue
to consult her dominlons, and that
her present policies were based on
decisions arrived at by the impe-
rial conference.
'It would be inconceivable," he
declared. that there should have
been no representative from the
dominions at Versailles and at
Washington. And IL an attempt
ever were made to encroach upon
the rights. of the Irish Free State,
every dominion would feel that her
own rights were being threatened.
That Is enough to guarantee that
Ireland's interests will be recog-
nized and respected"
Difficulties Were Great.
The premier explained. neverthe-
less. that Ireland's proximity to
England. her "deep-rooted religious
animosities," and other circum-
stances had created difficulties far
different from the usual dominion
difficulties.
An unlimited Irish army or navy,
for instance. he cited as "lunacy."
Ireland could raise an army of half
million men, and mine layers
and submarines do not cost much"
The restrictions that had been
made, therefore, were necessary
not only for the safety of the EN-
pire, but because Great Britain
mas Ndhcn d ledulnS part III ldnO
disarmament and a leading part in
sea disarmment."
Lloyd George admitted that he
had assented reluctantly TO the
tariff clauses in the treaty, inti-
mating that he had agreed only at
the last minute because Ireland
was more dependent upon Great
Britain than England on Ireland
At this point, gripping the treaty
in a clenched hand and waving 1t
in the air. the premier cried:
Here it isl II the treaty is
broken. shall face the situation"
THE British Empire will still
face dangers" he said. And when
they come Ireland will be there. by
our side"
The premier also touched upon
England's relations with America,
declaring that satisfactory under
standing between the two nations
was possible only unless there
were an Irish settlement
Lloyd George denied that an
earlier settlement would have been
possible. The conference, he ar
gued. could not have been held
year ago. because at that time the
opinion OF neither side was ripe.
The galleries of the commons
were crowded with enthusiastic
spectators when the session began
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