Mr. De Valera's reply, described, as usual, as the "
official translation," was dated from the Dublin Mansion House on August 30th. Mr. De Valera admits that it is " essential that some definite and immediate progress should be made," and ho says that he therefore refrains from commenting on the " fallacious historical references " of Mr. Lloyd George's last communication. Remarking that the present is the reality with which he has to deal, he describes the conditions of to-day which are the result' of the past
(1) The peoplo of Ireland, acknowledging no voluntary union with Great Britain, and claiming as a fundamental natural right to choose freely for themselves the path they shalt take to realize their national destiny, have, by an overwhel majority, declared for independence, set up a Republic, an more than once confirmed their choice. (2) Great Britain, on the other hand, acts as though Ireland were bound to her by a contract of union that forbade separation. The cir- cumstances of the supposed contract are notorious, yet on the theory of its validity the British Government and Parliament claim to rule and legislate for Ireland, even to tho point of partitioning Irish territory against the will of the Irish people, and killing or casting into prison every Irish citizen who rofuns allegiance."
