New Irish Crisis

For some time the Irish Free State has pressed for the 'delimitation of the boundary between its territory and that of Northern Ireland. The Irish Free

State Agreement Act of 1922 stipulated for the establishment of a Boundary Commission for this purpose (TIME, May 5). The Free State and British Governments were ready with their representatives, but Northern Ireland claimed she was not a party to the 1922 agreement, that the boundary had already been fixed by the Government of Ireland Act of 1920; she resolutely declined to be represented on the Commission.

Matters having thus reached an impasse, the whole question of Northern Ireland's representation was sent to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which reported to the King that, as Northern Ireland declined to appoint a representative, the vacant place could not be filled by the Imperial Government without Parliament's authorization.

In the House of Commons, Secretary of State for the Colonies J. H. Thomas said: "The Government [British] earnestly hopes that the Government of Northern Ireland will see its way to appoint a representative on the Boundary Commission, but if that hope is not fulfilled the Government proposes forthwith to introduce legislation to give effect to the undoubted intention of the treaty and to press its passage, regardless of consequences to itself."

He said that the bill would not be introduced until the Government had conferred with President Cosgrave of the Free State and Premier Sir James Craig of Northern Ireland. He hoped for some result from the Conference, he declared; "not merely the honor of His Majesty's Government, but the honor of this country is involved in seeing that the obligation, definitely imposed upon the United Kingdom by the treaty, is fulfilled in spirit and letter; and my colleagues and I are not prepared to omit any step which is, according to our view, necessary to place the good faith of Parliament and of the 'British people beyond question."

Ex-Premier George, in a spirited speech, welcomed the announcement, said that the Government could count on his and his colleagues' support, which is enough to ensure passage of the bill.

The Conservatives pressed effectively for delay, on the ground of avoiding hasty action. The "Conservative Shadow Cabinet" (ex-Premier Stanley Baldwin's Ministry) met, suggested that the bill should be introduced, if necessary, 'before the recess, but that further progress should be delayed until the Autumn session. The MacDonald Cabinet was understood to have assented to this.

Later, President Cosgrave, Lord Londonderry (representing Sir James Craig), Premier MacDonald and some of his Ministers met at the Colonial Office in Whitehall. After hours of fruitless discussion, the Conference broke up.

Unless some new development were to arise, early introduction of the bill to force Northern Ireland's hand was looked for in Parliamentary circles.