The Irish Free State is to assume her share of
liability for the service of the National Debt and for the payment of War pensions. No doubt the Irish will put in considerable counter- claims or set-offs, and provision is made for arbitration in cases of dispute. The Free State is to undertake her own coastal defence, but until she has arranged to do so the Imperial forces will supply it. She will be allowed, however, even before she takes over this responsibility, to maintain such vessels as are necessary for protecting the revenue and the fisheries. She promises to afford harbour and other facilities both in peace and in war. She may maintain her own army but, with a view to the international restriction of armaments, this must be regulated in size by the proportion of population in Ireland to the population in Great Britain. She promises to com- pensate the police and other public servants who are discharged, but this agreement does not apply to the Auxiliary Police Force or to recent British recruits for the Royal Irish Constabu- lary. Compensation in these two cases will fall upon the British Government.
