The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-08-15
Offer, With Leaders'
Notes, Announced =
In London.
OPINION HOPEFUL
OF SETTLEMENT
De Valera's Reply Does
Not Definitely Reject
Proposals.

LoNDoN. Aug. I4.-Terms Of the
British offer Of freedom TO Ireland
under dominion home rule. together
with Be valera's reply Of August
10. and Lloyd Georges answer OF
yesterday, were made public in Lon
don today.
oficisl opinion is optimistic, as
De valera's note does not definitely
reject the proposal, and Lloyd
George says he is ready to con-
tInue discussion when ireland ae-
cepts the general principle OF the
offer.
The original offer grants financial
autonomy-hItherto one of the prin-
cipIes upon which the British gov
ernment had refused TO yield, and
which had been ONE OF the great
est stumbling blocks in the way
OF peace.
Other Main Provisions.
Under the Lloyd George scheme.
ireland would recruit. maintain and
operate her own constabulary. pos
tai service and educational sys-
TEN.
Among other conditions laid down.
however, are: -
1. The British navy shall be
granted essential rights on the Irish
coasts and in Irish harbors-
?. Ireland shall hold her terri
torial forces to reasonable limits"
3. The royal air forces shall have
every facility in ireland.
4. At a later period Ireland shall
contribute TO the empires military
and naval establishment and per
init recruiting within her borders.
5. ireland shall impose no pro-
tective tariffs on commerce within
the islands.
6. ireland shall assume q part OF
the British debt
Considered Significant,
Publication by the government
! Of the exchanges between Lloyd
George and the Irish leaders is
viewed as a significant action on
the part of Lloyd George. Hitherto
the negotiations have been consid-
cred too delicate" TO permit dis
closure Of either the actual terms
OF of De Valera's reaction TO them
The road TO peace and undet-
standing lies open" is the conclUd-
ing phrase Of Eanonn de Nalera's
reply to Lloyd Georges offer.
In this declaration, as we'll as
in the expressed belief Of the Irish
'eader that "if the British stand
aside" a peaceful settlement with
-
thorities here profess TO find the
basis for confidence that after the
present objections Of Sim Fein have
been met tie way 10 complete agree
ment will be found.
Not Entirely Rejected.
De valera's reply does not con-
stitute a nat rejection Of the prin-
iples upon which Lloyd George Of
fereed peac- II characterizes the
British offer as "self-contrsdic-
,ory" in that the proposal provides
or too much British interference
IN Irish affairs" II refuses to rec
| ognize the British right 10 mu-
tilate ireland" The "mutilation"
refers to Ulster.
De Valera insists that Grest Brit
ain deal from the standpoint Of a
| united ireland. leaving the south-
ern federal government TO take care
of any "rebellious" attitude in Ul-
ster.
| Hone, for General Agreement
To this Lloyd George has replied
that he hopes" Sim Fein accepts
in principle the original proposals
He offers to discuss the application
Of the dominion scheme whenever
the main principle is agreed to by
| Ireland.
Notwithstanding the pessimism or
many British newspapers, which
had hoped that De Valera's reply
would be more in the nature OF
| complete acceptance, rather than
what IL is-a reiteration OF cer.ata
principles which must be agreed TO
py Lloyd George before the real
task of settling all the minor details
Of the bargain is faced-the feel
ing in official circles here 10 op-
Cimistic.
The Dali Eireann. meeting Tues
day, will have before IL Lloyd
Georges original offer. the reply or
its chief and Lloyd Georges sub