The New York herald., 1922-01-09
The Irish Settlement and II
Meaning.

The acceptance Of the Irish treaty
by the Dali Eireann is timely proof
20 the whole world that peace every
where. although not 10 be arrived at
in a moment, is possible through
good will and patient negotiation.
II ever there was a problem which
presented seemingly unsurmountable
difficulties II was that which existed
I'm the British Isles. Yet that prob
lem, thanks to the intelligence and
forbearance OF both sides in the
London conference. found a solution
which has been accepted by the rep.
resentatives OF the most radical po-
litical party seen in southern Ireland
IN generations.
SO hereafter. however impossible II
may appear TO reconcile differences
between nations or factions. the
memory OF what has been accom-.
plished this winter in Ireland viii be
recalled with hope. The records of
the Downing Street negotiations and
the sessions OF the Irish Parliament
are an object lesson In tact and for
hearance. The success OF our own
washington conference has of course
been an experience OF wonderful
value 10 the world; but the Irish
treaty stands out in even bolder re-
lief from the fact that the meeting
in London was not meeting OF
friendly nations. IL was a meeting
OK the ambassadors OF two peoples
whose political enmity had been no
torious for centuries and who were
at the moment actually az war.
AS concrete example OF the man.
ner IN which the ratification OF the
treaty adds 10 the good feeling among
nations we have only 20 reflect upon
the better understanding which al.
ready exists between the peoples Of
the United States and England, due
20 the liberal terms OF the Free
state agreement. The Irish situation,
with It's great historic background
and deep dramatic interest. worked
psychologically 70 the disadvantage OF
both Americans and English. as peo.
pics. No previous government action
was able TO dispel the cloud. Now.
with the disappearance Of the cause
of this IN feeling. the antagonism
and friction fade az N by magic,
Just az ireland ceases 10 be an issue
IN our own internal politics.
As for ireland herself. Ia is per.
haps too much to hope that the win.
ncrs OF the struggle In the Dali
Eireann will have perfectly smooth
sailing. There are stlil some ir'
reconcilablcs and some disappointed
men. Were the division among the
people OF southern ireland az close
ns the vote by which the treaty was
accepted much trouble might be eN.
pccted. Fortunately n A. not. II
the real sentiment of the Irish people
is reflected an their newspapers their
pulpiis and the talk in the Streets,
then they are IN favor ~ the lrish
Free state by q majority 90 over
whelming that tho irreconcilables
will hnd no support worthy the
name II Is certain that IN America.
whero the Irish nationallsts have
always found friends. the sentimeni
in favor of ARrurn uRurfru and
MHcnArI Col1ISs and their followers
Is practically unanimous The Amer.
ican sympathlzcrs with ireland have
read the terms of the treaty and they
realize that ireland is really a free
State AZ last.
While ireland takes her place
among the states of the world. she
faces an amount az work which win
put frish spirit and industry % the
test. The erection ~ n provisional
government will BE- followed By the in'
corporation of the terms of the treaty
into an act OF Parliament Then viii
come the huge labor ~ Transforming
the country into n Free state with
the constitutional status. dignity and
mower OF Canada. Australia. New
Zealand and South Africa.
These political activities call Cor
craftsmanship. patience and hard
work. The assumption of the public
debt and the war pensions, the es.
s.hrfshment of an army the mulfffa.
rruus items which make up the con.
struction OF a new government. will
demand all the wisdom and energy
that ireland can summon. And all
the diplomacy and magnanimity Of
tho Irish win be needed to reconcile
the differences between Ulster and
the south.
Norswill the completion Of the 20.