Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-07
IRISH WARFARE.

The warfare which is now in progress in Ire
land is unfortunate for that country and distressing
to the rest of the world. 1t is a warfare brought
about solely by the determination of an irrecon-
ciliable minority to force the majority by force and
terrorism to yield to its demands, and those who
are responsible for it have neither justification nor
excuse.
If any one fact in connection with Ireland has
been made clear it is that a large majority of the
people Of southern Ireland recognize and respect
the authority of the provisional government and de-
sire the reorganization of the country under the
terms of the treaty negotiated in London a few
months ago. After the treaty was framed, and when
the subject of elections was under discussion, De
Valera admitted that if the treaty were to be sub
mitted to the people then it would be accepted. He
demanded delay in order that there might be an
opportunity for those opposed to the treaty to
change public sentiment. The provisional govern
mcnt yielded to the demand for delay. The ire
conciliables made their most powerful effort during
the campaign whichfollowed. The provisional,gov-
eminent yielded again when it arranged with its
of candidates for parliament. The elections were
held, and in a good many cases the people disre-
garded all irangements.o f this character and elect
ed candidates of their own choosing, and who were
k1lown.to be~in favor of the ratification of the treaty
and of operation in accordance with it.
Whatever may have been the earlier course of
the men7who are now leaders. in the Free State gov
eminent, IN this 5instanc they have been moderate,
tolerant and forbearing. Their opponents, outnum-
bered, outvoted, and unlepresentativc of popular
sentiment as they have been shown to be. have dis
regarded the known sentiment of their fellow coun-
trymen andsevery consideration of orderly behavior.
they have treated with contempt an administration
composed only of Irishmen, which is the only body
in southern Ireland which represents peace and or
der during the period of transition, and have opposed
its authority with arms in their hands, sometimes
in the open, ,and more often from ambush.
EWE Th4 ~~~~ 49, & -
not, as Mr.. De Valera says. by the provisional gov
eminent OF itsforces, with or without the instigation
of English politicians, but by the -partisans of De
Valera himself. These men, armed and ready to
commit murder, undertook, in the city of Dublin,
to levy tribute on local citizens, and when the money
payments which they demanded were withheld.
they had recourse to force. Such a challenge had
to5be met. Ifthe provisional government had taken
no steps to prevent or punishsuch outrages it would
have earned the contempt Of humanity. 1t did take
steps, and the only steps which were possible 1t
demanded the surrender of the men who, under the
-prete1t OF freeing Ireland" had assumed the char
acteT Of blackmailers and bandits. When surrcn-
der was refused, it opened FIRE
Mr.. De Valera has addressed a message on the
subject to the people Of the United States. The
people Of this country-nost Of theHa-have grown
very weary Of Mr.. De Valera and his messages. He
IS 1t' center Ct q disturbance which is recognized
here as needless. inconcltlsiyc, and utterly without
warrant He and those associated with him stand
in the way Of the realization Of the dearest wish 81
Sthe@Sgreat majority Of the Irish people. Without
him there would have been peace long ago, and Ire
Ind would be operating happily, hopefully and pros.
SSpp<rousiy, under q government of her own choosing
sadministered by her own citizens. He and his
1Ahriends are responsible for the reign Of terror which
sSnow prevails, and for the deaths which have result:
SaGd6g from il.
The best thing that M. Ds sv.lera ean do ii
SSTffeissnbdi IS q gct ont Of Ireland's wsy.
y&Xfe ENBAH&EIE%aT
SsS8gs SENIORITY.
zEsCommittees a the United States senate are op.