The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-11
Head of Sim Fein Unwill-
ing to Accept Promises:
Acts Considered.
He Says.
MUST SURRENDER ARMS
Lloyd George Makes 1t Clear
Violence Must Ccase-Will
Negotiate on Basis of Tn
broken entity.

Rpecial Cable 10 THE New YORK HERALD
Copwigtt 1870. bv THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Dec. 10.
Premier Lloyd George told the House
Of Commons to-day that the Govern
ment would proclaim martial law in
certain areas" in Ireland to stamp
out murder and outrage This an
nouncement was followed by des-
patches from Dublin, which said that
Dublin Castle had proclaimed martial
law in all the city and county Of Cork,
the city and county of Limerick and
the counties Of Tipperary and Kerry.
At the same time the Premier told
the House that the Government was
willing to talk peace with ireland, but
on the sole basis of the unbroken unity
of the United Kingdom. He said he
would aid every movement by which
the forces within ireland which really
wanted peace could negotiate. On the
other hand, he expressed the opinion
that the people of Ireland who we're
controlled by an Organization of To-
lence, murder and outrage" were not
yet ready to accept peace on the only
basis tho Government could grant it.
The Premier said that a demand
would be made for the surrender of all
arms in tho hands of persons not
authorized to possess them. A reason
a Al.
delivery of these arms to the proper
officials in Ireland. After the cxpira-
tion of that time any person found
with arms in his or her. possession
by court-martial.
No Dealings with Radicals.
The Premier made it plain that
while the Government was prepared
TO talk peace with the moderate ele-
ment in Ireland, or with any one
whose hands were clean, II also was
prepared to adopt the strongest meas
ures to stamp out murder and out
rage.
An outline of his answers TO the Cal
way County Council and to the Rev.
Michael O'Flanagan. acting president OF
the Sim Fein, who had asked that the
Government meet the real" representa-
tives of Ireland TO discuss n settlemen,
was given to the House by the Premier.
At the same time the statement by
Michael Collins, commander-in-chief of
the Irish republican, army. reached Lon
Z don yesterday in more complete form.
It indicates that his wing (the so-called
activist) of the Sim F'ein. would accept
nothing in the way of truce which is
not moro to their liking than the mere
promise of British statesmen.
But the way for peace talk has been
opened. The Premier in the House of
Commons to-day, with his characteristic
skill, circumvented the obstacles which
last night made further talk OF peace
seem futile. He says he will meet men,
bers Of the Dali Eireann who are not
guilty of Serious crimes" although rec
ognizing them only as a group chosen
under British constitutional methods to
express Irish desires, and as In no way
a rival for sovereignty within the EN-
pire.
New Triumph for Premier.
He said that the men implicated in
murders and In other crimes would not
be permitted to attend any meeting, but
that they would be captured and pun
ished wherever in all the world they are
found" However. he added that the
question Of amnesty may be a subject
far N
enccs begin. With characteristic skill
the Premier waved the flag that will
keep his own Tories in line.
The Premlcr's statement is likely TO
prove an historic Irish incident In the
House, as II certainly marks one OF the
deftcst triumphs Of the master compro-
mlsor. MIR. Lloyd George. The essen
tials OF his proposal to-day meet the
essentials demanded In reasonable quar-
ters on both sides At the same time
his proposal contains enough to at least
momentarily satisfy the irreconcilablcs
on both sides who have hitherto sue
ceeded In running any Irish settlement
ss yet attempted
However she Morning Post and the
CArsonites may revolt now at the mere
prospect or negotiating with the "mur-
der gang" and may upset the delicate
balance OF the negotiations at any time.
TOO, Michael Collins and his followers
may upset Il, alleging that It Is a mere
scheme to strip the Dali Eireann OF all
It's members save those amenabie to
rremier Lloyd George. II may be
spoiled subsequently by n wild outbreak
following any peace moves the irrecon-
cilables in tho Sim Fein may think in
adequate.
But the fact remains that Premier
Lloyd George met the essential require
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