Evening star., 1930-11-30

have endeavored to outline very briefl,-
the economic results of the estahlish-
ment of the Irish Free State I shall
now endeavor to show the political and
international developments which have
arisen. It Is common knowledge that
the treaty did not meet with unqualified
approval in Ireland. that q considerable
number were dissatisfied with its pro-
visions and that resort was had 70
armed resistance to prevent the will Of
the majority from being enforced. The
revolt was promptly suppressed, but the
political division remained acute. The
representatives elected by the minority
refused for time to enter Parliament.
The common sense Of the vast ma
jority of our people triumphed In the
long run. The abstentionist policy was
abandoned in 1927 and now the Fianna
Fail party. having subscribed to the
oath prescribed by the constitution and
entered Parliament. constitute the prtn-
cipal parliamentary opposition. They
have realized, though they may not yet
be prepared to admit 1t openly, that the
citizens of the Irish Free State have in
their Parliament q free and unfettered
machine for directing their destiny.
This realization no doubt has been as
sisted by the progressive clariflcation Of
dominion status resulting from the re-
ports of the imperial conference of 1926
and from the recent conference on do
minion legislation. which laid down
the lines upon which existing anomalies
should be removed and the autonomous
and co-equal status Of the statement
bers of the British Commonwealth
placed upon q footing which will COM
pei universal judicial recognition.
Party Opinion Grows Economically.
The admission of the Irish Free state
to membership In the League Of Nations:
its exchange of Ministers Plenipotentiary
with the United States, the Holy See.
France and Germany; its presence at in
ternational conferences: the exercise Of
its treatv-making powers have all con-
tributed to O better understanding abroad
as well as at home of the position Of
the dominions in international matters.
Internal politics Is naturally q mat
ter Of minor importance outside, but
it will perhaps be of interest to record
that day by day the differences Of party
opinion are developing more and more
along economic lines. The great bulk
of the people appreciate that within the
four walls Of the Irish constitution
there Is room for development in what
ever direction may prove best suited to
Irish conditions. They realize the i'm
portance OF maintaining good relations
with their customers, of stability at
home and peace abroad. Their keen
sense Of political values viii insure that
no party will ever receive their conf
dence II It cannot present them, in ad-
dition to a responsible personnel, with
a political program based upon the
supply, within the limits Of expenditure
which the country can afford. Of ma
tional and social services to meet their
reasonable requirements.
The government of the Irish Free
State has been in ONCE for eight years.
These eight years have brought many
changes throughout the world-for the
most part they have been lean years.
particularly as far as Europe Is con-
cerned. The aftermath of the Great
War Is still with US, and It VIII be
some time yet before the damage and
destruction is restored and settled con-
ditions are established. Looking back
upon conditions as they were In Ireland
in 1922. and comparing them with those
Of today, think that we may be well
content with the result of our efforts.
The measure of success which our peo-
pie have achieved In that difacult pe-
riod Is the best guaranty of the future.
(Copyrigf1t lnSO.l