Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-12-07
Reported England's. Official
Family is Divided on
Question
BANS ANY PARLEY
Withdrawal of Troops and Release of
All Political Prisoners Demand
cd

London, Dec. Premier Lloyd
George said yesterday that the Gov
ernmcnt was ready to discuss an
Irish truce with any responsible rep
resentatives of Ireland.
His statement was made in reply
TO u number OF questions made in
the House of Commons in regard to
the Irish question. The Premier
showed clearly that he was anxious
that nothing should-be said in the
House which might prove injurious
to the opening of negotiations.
The Premier said that he mad not
mad sufficient time to consider the
message from the Rev. Michael
0'Flanagan, which declared that Ire
land was also willing to make peace
1t once, and which inquired what
steps the Premier proposed first.
Mr.. Lloyd George was asked
whether he had seen the report that
.he Dublin Sim Fein Council had
passed resolution declaring that
,nyone who entered into negotiations
With the British Government would
,a guilty of treachery. He replied
hat he had seen no such report anG
,e hoped that no such resolution had
Deen adopted.
n Although he would not say that he
vas hopeful OF peace, the Premier
said he would try to discover whether
Father O'FlanaGan was qualified to
;peak for Ireland.
The remarkable change in the couh-
'ry's attitude towards Ireland in the
past week was evident in the House
Yesterday. The bitter opponents Of
ireland, particularly those who are
constantly nagginG the Nationalists
members, made no Interruptions and
he entire House gave the Premier
ne CLOSEST alltEliOIl.
A great many arrests continue to
oe made in Dublin, Six City Council
,rs being among those made pris-
1ners today. The total arrests for the
last fortnight exceeded GOO.
Some discussion Of the terms of
the proDoscd armist;cc already has
taken place in Dublin. The Sim Fem
ars saw they will ask for a general
nmrestv and = guarantee Of the lib
'rtv Of their leaders.
As anticipatcd, however. the diff
'nltv of bridging the gulf between
ne Sim .Fein and the British Gov
,rnment is very great and Yesterday
'nma rcnorts that obstacles are being
olaced in the way by responsible
representatives cf both sides and by
hose in close association with them.
= IS hinted that Lloyd Georges Of
icial family is divided on the ques-
ion. while Dublin reports that the
'ocal Sim Fein Council has adopted
: resolution branding as guilty Of
'reachery anyone acting without the
authorization Of Dali Eireann.
If these reports are trne then Ar
'hur Griffith George Russell an
Father O'Flanaean. acting president
# Sim Fein, are placed in this cat
agory. Nevertheless, the movement
S raining strength daily.
New York. Dac. 7.-Encland must
Withdraw all British troops from
Ireland and l!berate al political pris-
,ners as a preliminary TO restore
7eaca in Ireland. Eamonn De Valera.
president of the Irish Republic," :"
'cclared here yesterday. in a state
nent relative to the message dis
ratched to Premier Llovd George
! concerning the Pramier's initial
stems leading to peace.
The removal Of the aggression,
| obviously is beth the initial and, also
The final sten-that is. as l have
'aid. the whole essence Of the trouble
between the two countries" Mr.. de
Valera said he had not heen in direct
nAeotiatons with Lloyd George in
i 4he Interests Of the restoration f
| Ireland =
| Mrs. Nurial Marc"-rav. widow OF
t .hpH Lord Navnr Of Co-k. comment
NO or.the message ic .Lhyd George
| said: $50. 5:
."To ,,sA a slang exuressior I have
1 earned since ccn,ing to america. ]
-hink ,lthe Irish are calling Lloyd
Georges bluff" :, ..s5,~<.