The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-07
Momentous Problem Can Be
Settled Now, Declares
British Labor Leader.
HE FAy0RS ARMISTICE
Returns 10 London to Hold
Conference With LLOYD
George on Procedure.
IRELAND WEARY or WAR
British Premier Uncertain
About Father O'flanagan's
Power 10 Negotiate.
IRELAND WEARY or WAR


Copyright, gsse. bp THE Nrw Yeas HA1sEo
Isndsa. Dee g.
The hour for the settlement OF the
/ Irish problem has arrived and there
should now be no question OF puno-
tillo. according to Arthur Henderson,.
Labor leader In tho House Of Com
mons. who was optimistic upon his
arrival here tonight from Dublin.
where he conferred with Arthur
Grinith. founder Of the Sim Fem and
vice-president Of the Irish Republic" !"
Even the extremists I'm ireland desire
peace. he said.
Mr.. Henderson favors an armistice
and conference and holds out hope
that the heads OF the Roman Catholic
Church and all organized labor In Ire
land are ready to support truce
pending negotiations. lie went as
head OF a Labor commission to Ire
land and he returns here with the
message:
1--WE are tired of this awful strife
and want peace"
To Confer with Premier.
He has hurriedly returned TO London
to confer with Premier Lloyd George.
leaving the rest OF his delegation In
Ireland.
II have visited Ireland may times
but never have | seen the desire for
peace SO marked so widespread before.
ne said, 1T IL my firm conviction that
the present moment offers an excellent
opportunity for settlement Saying
this do not underestimate the difficult
ties and complexities nor do ignore the
more criticai aspects OF tho problem, ou,
strongly believe that II an effort were
made now we would lay the foundations
OF a constructive effort TO effect a settle
ment.
"On the other hand. 20 permit this
almost universal yearning for peace t.
evaporate because OF punctilio or becaus'
of too much concentration on the hideous
deeds OF the last two years may plunge
the nation into bitter struggle such
as these islands have never seen before.
Everything should be done TO secure a
period of comparative quietude. with a
cessation of all acts of violence. II the
suggestions for the conference are acted
upon have reason to know that every
effort will be used to secure a cessation
of lawlessness and disorder throughout
the negotiations"
| Sir Hamar Greenwood. Chief Secre-
tary for Ireland. will arrive here to-mor-
row after a visit to ireland. A confer
ence over the Irish situation In practi-
cally certain to be held tomorrow.
Way to Peace Already Open.
The way toward an Irish peace In not
only open. but has already been definite
| ly outlined In the course OF informal.
Indirect negotiations between Downing
street and Dublin. The course follows
the lines laid down In the statement
made by Arthur Griffith In Dublin two
weeks ago. Almost every step Is con-
tingent on this, but II both parties are
able TO follow the lines laid down peace
| Is assured. according to Information
reaching TEE NEW YORK HERALD cor
respondent from highest quarters on
both sides tonight.
First, the Government Is prepared 10
permit the Dali Eireann to meet for
/
| for all the Nationalists In Ireland. The
surest proof of this would be in the
Dali Eireann showing II was able 10
carry out Mr.. Griffith's boast that II
II were permitted to function murder
in Ireland would cease In twenty-four
hours.
The Government regards this as the
real test OF the Dali Eireann's ability
to effect settlement. being sure that
certain Extremists will not obey Mr..
Griffith or the Sim Fein Cabinet. but
may obey the Dali Eireann Itself In
return for such action on the part OF the
Dali Eireann. the Government appar-
entity Is prepared to agree that certain
restraints be placed on the forces OF tho
/ Crown I'm Ireland the effect of which
would be temporary amnesty for all con-
cerned.
The second step in the negotiations. "
the Dali Eireann thus proves its ability.
must be for ireland to rellnquIsh It's de-
mand for independence. In return for
this, the Government is prepared to
make wide concessions In the final set
tlement plan In the way Of financial and
fiscal autonomy and administrative de-
tall
AS yet the Government IL not prepared
TO conccde any infringement OF IN,
rights OF Ulster, and probably cannot
carry out guarantee OF northeast
minority less than that contained In the
pending bill. but short of independence
and short OF bctraying the Unionist fac.
tion, which backs Ulster and constitutes
the Coalition majority In the House oI
Commons, II is indicated here that Pre-
mcr Lloyd George is willing to accept
any modification Ireland proposes.
At first glimpse II looks an II there
will be no concessions Mt all by the Gov
ernment. but II must he remembered
that mere recognition OF the Dali
\ r,ireann as the responsible voice In
Ireiond satisfied important Irish aspira-
tions.
The conclusion also Is inescapable
that once the Government gives this
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