The Washington times., 1923-12-18
By. DANIEL O'CONNELL.
international News Service.


DUBLIN, Dec. 1S.-When the
Irish Free State came into exist
ence a year ago the most difficult
problem facing the new government
was the restoration Of peace
throughout the country. Suppress
sion of the activities of the Irregu-
lars, led by Eamonn de Vanera,
was the immediate task the govern
ment must accomplish to guarantee
its own continued existence.
The problem Of finances was of
hardly less vital import to the
new government, but financial con-
siderations always must. take Sec
ond place to the problem OF restor-
ing order and que1Iing armed re-
sistance to the authority of the
state. Hence the matter of the
governments fiscal. policy is still
to a considerable extent unsolved
been compelled to devote so much
time to measures for the pacifica-
ton Of the country.
Floating Of Loan.
In the field of finance probably
the outstanding achievement of
the government has been the sue
cessful flotation Of the first national
loan. The response of the people
Of Ireland to the governments APP
| peal for support of the loan has
been highly gratifying to President
William Cosgrave and his as
sociates.
The fact that the loan was
l SN11 R,,V H..
| garded as an indication that the
people have confidence in the gov
/, eminent. The success of the loan
has greatly encouraged government
i officials in their efforts to put the
Free State finances on a sound
Finds Funds At Home.
A significant fact about Free
| State finances Is that the Govern
ment has been able, to a large ex-
tent, to find the revenue it needed
/ within the country. 1t has been
unnecessary to indulge in heavy
borrowing abroad. and the govern
principle that Ireland will ''pay it's
| own way" and extensive borrowing
from foreign countries is not a
part of the Free States fiscal pro-
gram.
The first year of the existence OF
the Free State also witnessed the
holding of the first general cleo
| ton under the new regime. This
| election, carried out under a
| scheme of proportional representa-
| ton that mitigates against sweep
| ing victories by any party, resulted
| in the return to power of the Co.'S
grave government.
Majority Not Strong.
Although the existing govern.
ment's majority in the Dali Eireann,
on strict party lines, is not for
midable it is sufficiently strong 70
make the government reasonably
sure of being able to enact the
| legislation it desires. Despite the
disturbed conditions resulting from
the activities of the Irregulars the
election was held for the most part
under peaceful auspices, and no
serious outbreaks of violence &C.
| CURED.
Other outstanding events of the
first year of the Irish Free States
history were the capture and i'm
prisonment Of Eamonn de Valera,
the leader of the so-called Republi-
| can, or Irregular, movement, and
the virtual breaking up Of the IT.
regular organization and the ia
| nous general hunger strike of the
| thousands of De Valera's followers
held in Irish jails.
Some Questions Unsettled.
Labor disputes also were among
the problems with which the gov
eminent had to deal.
| One of the questions still remain
ing to be settled that is a source of
Irritation to Irishmen is that of
| the boundaries between the Free
State and the northern counties
that comprise Ulster. listers re-
fusal to enter the Free State makes
an adjustment Of boundaries neces-
sary.
| 1t is hoped that a satisfactory
solution Of this VeXatious question
will be reached as a result of a
conference soon to be held between
| representatives Of the Free State,
the Ulster government and the
British government. The invitation
to this conference was extended by
the British government and has
been accepted by both Ulster and
L. 49,