The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-01
RumOr That British Lead
ers Are Ready to Dicker
With Sim Fein.
REFERENDUM PLANNED
Irish Conventions Suggest
ed to Redraft Terms of
Current Bill.
WILL DELAY ITS PASSAGE
Second Attempt to Fire Cork
City Hall-Streets Lined
With Debris.
Special Gable 20 TIE NEW Yonx HERALD.
Copyright, 1890, bv THE NEW Yoss HERALD.

Copyright, 1890, bv THE NEW ,YosK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London, Nov. 80
The House OF Lords Is proposing
serious amendments to the Irish home
rule bill. These amendments are so
thorough going that they give color to
reports that the Government is ac7
tually preparing TO dicker with the
Irish leaders.
One of these reports states that Pre-
mier Lloyd George was greatly an
gered when he learned that Arthur
Griffith. founder OF the Sim Fein and
Vice President of the Irish Republic"
had been arrested in Dublin. 1t was
said that informal messages already
had passed between Downing Street
and Mr.. Griffith's little back office" In
Dublin. On this report the intimates
of both men base high hopes.
THE New YORK HERALD correspond
ent here Is further informed that
these hopes still are unshattered after
recognition Of the fact that both the
Premier and Mr.. Griffith are under
the greatest difficulties in, carrying on
negotiations because of the circum-
stances of Mr.. Griffith's arrest.
In the meantime news from Ireland
indicates a continuation of incendlar-
ism at Cork. with a new attempt to
fire the City Hall. The city is per-
meated with odors Of smoke and petro-
leum.
Substance Of Amendments.
Lord Clifford OF Chudleigh has an
nouncod that he would move the fol-
lowing amendments. 70 the hosr.c rulo
bin:
1. That the bill not become effective
until II has been approved by a refer
endum OF the people Ireland.
2. That a series O. conventions be
called. two-thirds OF the delegates TO be
elected In ireland and one-third of them
appointed by Parliament, TO consider
amendments and redraft the bill to make
1t acceptable to Ireland.
g. That ireland be divided into four
historic provinces Ulster. Leinster,
Munster and Connaught--lnstead Of tina
fictitious partition. separating the four
Protestant counties. These four historic
provinces would then elect four STATE
parliaments, which in turn would choose
a small number Of members to ma
tional second house.
While at the present moment there IS
no political probability OF these amend
ments being adopted by the House OF
Lords. il Is admitted that they viii delay
the passage of the bill TO enable any
negotiations which may be going on TO
either bear fruit OF prove their sieriity.
While in certain Government quarters
there is q strong disposition TO put faith
in the wisdom and in tho success OF max
ing a bill which would be more accepta-
bic TO ireland than the present one. there
is little likelihood that the House OF
Lords will approve the latter two pro-
posals, altering the partition OF Ireland.
which the Government believes will be
only temporary.
Premier's Contention.
II has been Premier Lloyd Georges
contention that II Ireland were freed
from Sim Fein violents. settlement
would be possible. The BLACK and
Tans' arc rapidly rounding up these
yiolcnts and placing them in internment
camps. where they are held without
further charges being made against
them than that they are members of
the Irish republican army.
II is considered highly probable that
the Government may favor the nrst
amendment proposed by Lord Clifford OF
ChudleiRh when the time comes, and
will hold either these or sone other con-
ventions 70 get real Irish opinion free
OF terrorism upon the bill. upon which
Premier Lloyd George Is stalking his
name and political future Just az heav-
iiy as he aid on tho conduct OF tho war.
Searching for Terrorists.
London Is being secured tonight by
detectives from Scotland Yard for a
gang OF Sim Fein terrorists. Some OF
them are believed TO have come from
Liverpool after the outrages there last
Saturday night. and others TO have been
drifting in hore from ireland during the
last ten days. having been forced TO
fee the island as a result OF Dublin
Castles relentless man hunt The au-
thorities here frankly admit that grave
outrages are feared but do not disclose
the information they have received "
bear out their suspiciona Meanwhile
the public has been called upon to assist
In running down what n high official
called mot merely Sim Fein despcradoee,
but cool. calculating. outrage mongersS
They think they can ,errorize Lon.
don. and arc liable to We low until the
can carry out their plans" this offici3
said "But just az this stage the publ
may assist by communicating any "a
grounded suspicious 70 the police" s
Every precaution Is being taken ~
keep the 'Sinn Fein war; out OF Ems
land. Policemen In uniform and othoTa
in plain clothes have been stationed l
the vicinity Of whitehall and the HouseH
Of Parliament and have been armei
with automatin pistoSM ThA NJ Az