New-York tribune., 1917-07-24
Sim Feiners, Trades Coun-
ellis and O'Brienites Re-
fuse to Take Part
Appeal by Premier
Lloyd George Writes Inde-
pendent Leader, Pleading
for Meetings Success

Dublin, July 23.-Arrangements for the
Irish convention, which on Wednesday
will begin an endeavor 10 solve the
Irish problem, are now complete. To-
day Henry E. Duke, Chief Secretary for
Ireland, and Sir Francis Hopwood visit
ed Trinity College here and inspected
the convention hall and committee
rooms. They expressed themselves as
much pleased with the arrangements.
Various bodies in Ireland have chosen
their delegates 10 the convention. They
constitute group which is representa-
tive Of all elements of Irish life, except
the Sim Felners ard O'Brienites, who
refused 10 take part in the convention.
The nominations made by the govern
ment have not yet become known off
cially, but many of those who accepted
have allowed the fact to become known
through the press. They have been
drawn from all parties and classes.
Some Of them were chosen TO strength
on the labor representation, in view
of the refusal OF the Dublin and Cork
trades councils to send delegates.
The decision TO exclude reporters
from the sessions of the convention and
W plblllblL the HuDllCdIloH Ol any lUlUE
concerning the proceedings except the
official reports. has gone unchallenged
except by William O'Brien. It is con-
sidered that the deliberations of the
convention will be freer If they are NOT
embarrassed by partisan newspaper
comment.
Appeal by Lloyd George
Premier Lloyd George has written
letter to William O'Brien, leader of the
Independent Nationalists, expressing
regret at the unwillingness Of Mr..
O'Brien to nominate representatives
OF his party to the Irish convention,
and asking him 20 recede from his
stand.
The convention, says the letter of
Mr.. Lloyd George, has been called in
a sincere effort TO see II an agreement
cannot be reached between Irishmen
and happier relations be brought about
between Ireland and Great Britain.
with the object in view," Mr.. Lloyd
George continues, 81 know you are in
full sympathy, and | must earnestly
hope you will respond to this appeal
an appeal which | understand also has
come from many other quarters-to
help toward securing the success OF the
convention"
Mr. O'Brien, in the course of a
lengthy reply, says the type Of con-
vention selected defeats the object in
view with fatal certainty, by leaving
the great mass of Irish Nationalist
opinion almost wholly unrepresented
and by comforting the power of ma
jority upon party of politicians who
have VIGOROUSLY lost the confidence of
the Irish people-a party, moreover,
whose de facto leaders have devoted
all their energies for years to making
conciliation with our Northern fellow
countrymen impossible"
-Four Irelands" Feared
Mr.. O'Brien recalls that he offered to
waive that objection if the Irish Par
liamentary party undertook not to re-
new their agreement to the separation
of the six counties of Ireland, but says
not only was no such undertaking
given but that he understands the
party now contemplates the partition
of the country Unto four Irelands."
Nevertheless, Mr. 0'Brien says he
offered, especially after the East Clare
election, either 10 go TO the convention
himself or 10 work for il 10 the ut
most if the undertaking were given
that the conventions decision would
be submitted TO an Irish referendum.
Mr.. O'Brien further complains that
the Earl of Dunraven has not been IN
vited 10 attend the convention. This
omission he attributes 20 the Red
mond party. He describes as the
crowning hlunder the decision not TO
allow public criticism of or reference
TO the convention while il is sitting.