Griffith sends his letter to de Valera
Introduction from Chronology
Griffith sends a copy of his letter of November 2nd to de
Valera. He said that he accepted the
clause “Free partnership of Ireland with the other states associated within the
British Commonwealth" as it “did not alter the essence of the
formula”. De Valera passed it onto his
cabinet. Pakenham noted that no one disputed Griffith’s contention that the
Empire clause “did not alter the essence of the formula”. (Pakenham disagrees – see Comment to
Nov-02-21/2.)
Griffith also says that the British were now satisfied to face the
“Ulster” question on what was in the letter and “assure me that if “Ulster”
proves unreasonable they are prepared to rather resign than use force against
us”.
Comment
With regards Llyod George promise to resign, Fanning comments “But it is
unlikely that Llyod George ever intended to resign over Ulster unless he lost
his parliamentary majority. A more
plausible interpretation is that he dangled the threat of resignation over the
heads of Chamberlain, Churchill and Birkenhead to ensure their continued
loyalty”.
Fanning does not say it but it was also advantageous to Llyod George to
push as many concessions from the Irish delegation as possible with the promise
of leaning on Craig but without any real belief that Craig would make any
concessions.
Pakenham would seem to agree with Fanning. He points out that, within a month, Craig
was allowed to reject an all-Ireland Parliament and goes on to ask the
following questions: Is it credible that
on November 3rd Llyod George was so sympathetic to the overriding
Dublin Parliament that if this Parliament proved impossible of achievement he would have refused to make war on the
South? Did he change his mind completely
between November 3rd and December 5th? Was it ever really
touch and go if he would resign?
Also see Comment to Nov-02-21/2.