Draft Letter from Hagan to [...]

View/Open

View/Open: HAG1-1921-491.pdf (88.MB) Bookview

Repository

DigitalGeorgetown

Pontifical Irish College

Contributor

Hagan, John

Hagan, John, 1873-1930

Description

Handwritten [draft letter] by (Hagan) to [...], concerning the correspondence between DeValera and Lloyd George, and the generally positive outlook for the negotiations. So far, they have only dealt with basics, not with terms of any settlement. Agreeing with DeValera's tenet 'government by the consent of the governed'. Lloyd George is ready to reconcile English - needs with Irish aspirations, if ruling out complete separation; there is scope to move closer towards the Dominion model. Offering five considerations that may be helpful: the word 'republic' will be dropped as soon as it proves a real hindrance to progress; the Sinn Fein leaders are good Christians who have the whole country's backing and are not influenced by 'extremists'; Sinn Fein will look for an interim solution in order to pursue complete separation at a later date. Also observing that Lloyd George will sacrifice much in the matter in order to appease the Irish element in America, where he is about to attend the disarmament conference. Separation would bring about friendship between the two countries, but even Dominion status would render Ireland 'one of the most prosperous, just as it is one of the most Catholic, countries in Europe'. (Dated between calling of the truce and the decision to begin plenipotentiary negotiations in London.) [between 11 July- 30 September 1921]