12 JULY 1924, Page 11

The other important statement concerning future British policy was the

announcement by the Colonial Secretary after he had referred to the appointment of the Minister Plenipotentiary to represent the Irish Free State at Washington. There was no ambiguity about Mr. Thomaq' words. He dispoied of the idea 'once for all that the present British Government would _deal with an Irish demand for a Republic differently from its two predecessors. Mr.. Thomas- said : " We believe that peaceful friendship can be maintained with Ireland by the establishment of the Free State as a self-governing Dominion of the British Commonwealth and in no other way."