The Washington herald., 1921-07-10
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
Section One.

section One.
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 a few facts which
may lead at least to q fair settle
ment Of all this tragedy.
smut's Influence Felt.
One important influence at work
is the presence of the colonial pre-
miers, and especially Gen. SHUTS,
whose personality, gifts Of knowl-
edge and speech and far-reaching
vision cannot be disregarded by
Premier Lloyd George and his col
leagues.
These dominion statesmen are all
for an honorable settlement in Ire
land to the utmost limits consistent
with imperial safety and the union
Of free peoples. At the same time
their advice comedies with increas-
ing pressure which is being brought
to bear on the British government
by all shades OF opinion In Great
Britain. threatening to break up the
coalition IL the spirit Of the Kings
speech is wilfully disregarded.
The British people are ready now
and have been for a long time to
make generous concessions TO Ire
land IL there is any sign that gen.
erosity will be accepted in similar
spirit without guile and with a ces-
sation of hostilities on both sides
as a prelude to peace.
Must Effect Csmpremise.
But now. as always any settle
ment between Ireland and England
must be thwarted in advance unless
there is a compromise and concilia-
ton between Catholic Ireland and
Protestant Ulster.
That is the hardest snag Of all,
for here race. religion. hatred and
hieotry. 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 which has happened In other
parts of Europe with equal infiu-
ence on political opinion.
Financial disaster has been a
stern schoolmaster and passion
itself dies out in the face OF eco
nomic necessity. Ulster has been
losing an immense amount OF trade
bv the boycott in Catholic Ireland.
Her linen industry has dwindled.
owing to the loss of markets. Her
banks are in bad way. Many
factories are idle and unemployment
is increasing. Financial ruin creeps
no her streets and will destroy her
unless she makes pact OF peace
with the rest Of Ireland.
Blocked by IrreceneilsbIes.
II was for that reason. and not
for sentiment. that Sir James Craig
paid q visit to Eamonn de Valera,
and il is through economic interde-
pendence that Irish unity will be
assured by some compromise of the
political differences now being dis
cussed.
On the other side. Mr.. de Valera
is not a free agent. He has to
reckon with irreconcilables who do
not want peace by honorable agree
ment or by any process OF fair bar
gaining. but prefer guerilla war
fare with sill it's horrors in direct
conflict with martial law, believing
they can force England to surren-
Ger TO full republican demands by
ruthless action.
There is no doubt that they will
try to break Mr. de Valera and Ar
thur Griffith IL they show any mod
GRAFTON. Nevertheless. the Irish peo-
pie themselves in great majority,
as l am assured by Irish friends,
yesrn for peace II it is not merely
a patched-up truce. and IL II gives
them complete home rule along de-
minion lines with guarantees from