Evening star., 1924-08-07
IN TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL y. COLLINS

recognize the commission now to be ap-
pointed under the treaty. There are
threats and limitations from all sides
that the crisis may lead to renewal
of hostilities.
In behalf of progress in settlement the
Macdonald government has submitted
to the judicial committee of the privy
council certain questions Of law as to its
powers to enforce the treaty against the
opposition of Northern Ireland, and
whether In the absence of a member
from Ulster the British government
could instruct the Ulster governor-an
appontee of the crown-to make such
an appointment in spite of his ministry.
Or whether the commission could go
ahead in defining the final boundary by
the two members-those of the Irish
Free State and the imperial government
alone. II the government finds a lack
OF plenary power it is proposed to have
Parliament revise the treaty to endue
the British government with unquestion-
able authority to enforce the settlement
upon recalcitrant Ulster. In that direc-
ton. we are warned. lies bloodshed-if
England and the Irish Free State unite
to coerce a million Protestant Scotch
Irish.
X
The disagreement between North
Ireland and the Irish Free State rests
not alone upon religious differences.
1t is alleged that racial and economic
divergences are fundamental. North
Ireland, with its linen. is industrial; !;
rhe rest of the island is agricultural
North Ireland protests that an all
Ireland parliament would have the
power to discriminate against her
particular industries. by unequal tar
ifs and transportation rates.
But history has not recorded when
an AGRICULTURAL people has been able
TO oppress organized industrial in
terests In spite of superiority of
numbers in the present Irish Free
State, 1t is not certain that Ulster
would not hold her own, In protec-
tion of her local manufacturing in
terests. while strengthening the all
Ireland prosperity and power. Such is
the argument of British statesmen,
whose affiliations have nothing in
common with Irish Catholicism, and
fluence Of the Lloyd George and Mac
Donald governments. In a final let
ter from Prime Minister Lloyd George
to the prime minister of Northern
ireland, Sir James Craig, was pointed
out the option open to Northern Ire
land and Lloyd George added:
Under the second alternative, she
will still retain her present powers,
but in respect to all matters not al
ready delegated to her, will share the
rights and obligations of Great Brit
ain. In the latter case. however, we
should feel unable to defend the ex-
listing boundary, which must be sub
ject to revision, on one side and the
other. by a boundary commission. un-
der the terms of the instrument"
X x x X
There have been many instances in
other countries where the several
parts have united, in which parts
there were strong local. racial and re-
ligious differences Our American
federation of States. after the Revo-
luton, comes naturally to mind when
an American studies historical COM
parsons. Each State wanted to retain
all its independence, and protect it's
State interests, and only after reach
ing the verge of ruin was 1t discover
ed that 'in union there Is strength. "
The union of Italy of Germany, OF
Austria Hungary and above all, for
this comparison, the union of South
Africa, only four years after the
Buer war. point to the strengthening
of particular interests through the
differences in q common government
of the whole. SO far as general in
terests are concerned.
How much stronger and more peace
able is Canada united, than was
either Ca.hNiie iS,, & Quebec or Protsstans 4
IN rivalry! 4ustrstfx- had several in
dependent cutUuteSS each with: ttD own