The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-05
IRELAND ID WORK
 OUT OWN PROBLEMS BARNES DECLARES.
Era of Peace Is DaWning for Irish People, English Parliament Leader
 Thinks
By GEORGE N. BARNES
 British Parliament Leader Special Wireless Dispatch to The Age Herald Copyright, 1922, by The Age-Herald)

Copyright, 1929, by The Age-Herald)
 London, February 4.-Despite the flurries of the last two days over the boundary between the north and the south, I say that all goes we'll with Ireland.
 Certain hotheads already are talk ing of a civil war between Ulster and the Free State, but 1t was ridicu- lous to think that the boundary prob lem could be solved In a day. The negotiations were broken off for the time being in the best of spirits.
 There possibly have been some mis- understandings but l cannot con ceive of the same men at present in charge of Ireland's destiny attempt ing to force certain parts of Ulster under south Irish control against the will of the majority of the people in the affected counties.
 Work Out Own Problems
 I believe the Irish will De able to work out their own problems. There probably will be some pretty stiff pulling and hauling, with David Lloyd George as usual the storm center, but the spirit of the great mass of the Irish is today spirit of conciliation and reconciliation. The people have had enough af war. For TOO years they have resisted the rule of England. The peace the country has enjoyed in the last six months is not to be destroyed
 It is true that Eamonn DeVaiera and his following, although defeated in the Dali Erieann, have not ac- cepted the new position. It is true that imported gunmen are still run ming amuck, but strong hands are at work.
 Michael Collins and Arthur Grlf- fifth are doing all possible to build 8 bridge from the nebulous republic of guerilla warfare days to tho more placid haven of the Free State. And, although at first glance the flare up of the last two days would point otherwise, Sir James Craig, Ulster premier, has been helping and CO., operating in the solution of mauy difficulties.
 There will soon be a general cleo tion in the Free State territory, and although a stiff fight may be put up for a republic. there is little doubt that the conditions of the treaty with England will be accepted by an overwhelming majority. Great Bri- tain believes that Irishmen have set themselves to carry out the agree ment.
 Era of Peace
 I believe that an era of peace at home and power abroad Is dawning for Ireland and that Irishmen will avail themselves of the opportunities opening to- them. Henceforth, if 1he provisional government gets support at the coming elections, Ireland will control her own destinies. She will sit in the imperial councils on equal terms with Canada and in the League of Nations with France and other great nations of the world.
 Ireland may even have a duly ao- credited representative at Washing ton, and Irish sentiment in the United States, instead of being as heretofore a disturbing factor and a source of weakness to Great Britain, may become power in both coun- tries In helping to solve the terrible problems which now confront our common civilization.
 If it will release Irish feelings for sthe common good. the Anglo Irish treaty will have proved one of the most beneflcient instruments of mod ern times.
 One incident mentioned in the re- cent Dublin debates is worth putting on the record here. It Is the story of Compton Smith. an English cap tain, shot in reprisal for the death of a Sim Fein officer Captain Smith gave his watch to his executioner as a token of his belief In the execu- toner's sincerity. The story has made deep impression on the gem erous Irish nature.