New-York tribune., 1922-02-14
Plunkett Declares
Division of Ireland
Means Civil War
Sir Horace, in Address Here.
Points Out Big Tasks Con-
fronting Leaders; Attacks
Stand of Lloyd George

Sir Horace Plunkett indicated in q
speech in Town Hall yesterday that
conditions in Ireland are likely to
grow much worse before they get bet
ter He declared that partition cannot
possibly endure without civil war or
something very like it flaming up. The
Irish publicst spoke under the auspices
of the League for Political Education.
Addressing himself to the friends
Of Ireland, Sir Horace said:
Direct your every effort and thought
to bring about Irish unity. Don't lose
heart, though, if things get great
deal worse for time"
Unity is the big task confronting the
leaders of the Irish people. he said,
and pointed out some of the difficulties
standing in their way. Among these
difficulties, he said, is Lloyd George.
Cites Lincoln's Address
"God made but one Ireland he said.
"Lloyd George is proposing to make
two. l want to show you what parti-
tion of Ireland really means. but if
were to talk until the sun goes down
couldn't put the case against the
partition of Ireland SO we'll as your
great authority, Lincoln. In his first
inaugural address he sad Physically
speaking, we cannot separate. We can
not remove our respective sections
passable wall between them. A hus-
band and wife may be divorced and go
out Of the presence and beyond the
reach Of each other, but the different
parts of our country cannot do this
They cannot but remain face to face,
and intercourse, either amicable or
hostile, must continue between them.
Is it possible, then, to make that inter
course more advantageous or more
satisfactory after separation than be-
fore? Can aliens make treaties easier
than friends can make laws? Can
treaties be more faithfully enforced
between aliens than laws can among
friends? Suppose you go to war, you
cannot fight always; and when, after
much loss on both sides and no gain
cal old questions as to terms OF inter-
course are again upon you
"Those words apply to Ireland as
soundly as if they had been written
with our present situation in view.
Partition can't possibly endure without
civil war or something very like it."
Sir Horace said that he hoped that
before long there would be a diplomatic
of Ireland in Washing
ton along with tho British representa-
tive and the representative of Canada.
Answers Numerous Questions
When he had finished his talk he
was subjected to rapid fire of ques-
tions from his audience. and there
this whiskcred little Statesman, who
formerly was ranchcr in Montana,
was at his best.
Docs the speaker differcntate be-
tween Sir Roger Easement and Sir
Edward Carson?" called out someone
from the gallery.
eyes" he retorted. Zone was
hanged and the other was made Il
"Will citizen OF the Irish Free
State remain British subject?"
asked another.
"Precisely in the same way as Cana
dians," he replied.
"What are the prospects for Irish
unity in Southern Ireland? ?" asked
some one in what was meant to be the
deepest tones of sarcasm.
"If you'll allow me to suggest that
Irish unity must have a color of its
own began Sir Horace, and was in
terrupted by a storm of laughter.
"Was Ireland pro-German 2"
at was not, but large portion OF
he Irish people were anti-British."
ain what part of Ireland is there
religious problem 2"
"The northeast corner" lmmedi-
ltely there were Kisses from different
sections of the audience, but these dis
,urbed Sir Hogase not at nh