The New York herald., 1921-10-22
ship Barely Afloat' Is the
Way One Dali Delegate
Describes 1t.
DE VALERA NOTE ANNOYS
Rupture Would Bring General
Election to Decide British
Course.
Bu the Associotcd Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, Oct. 21.---The Irish peace
negotiations appeared rapidly drifting
toward the rocks at the end Of to-
days meeting. The conference, which
is to be renewed Monday, was said to
have narrowly escaped being ended
to-day.
The Dali, delegates were very much
depressed this afternoon, for there was
little doubt that the delegation was
anxious to reach some sort of m
agreement. One of the Irish delegates
said gloomily: THE ship is bare.y
afioat"
There are no plans for any meet
ings between members over the week
end. and tho situation must hang fi.e,
it was understood, until Mondays ses-
sion, which will be faced with the de-
cision of whether it is to be peace
or war"
DC yaIera's Mistakes.
The Central News issued statement
which is regarded In some quarters as
possibly re1ecting the British Govern
ment's view. 1t says:
'If Mr.. De Valera Is counting on the
Premier's anxiety to attend the WASH
ington conference as a factor leading
the Government to be more amenable to
pressure. he is making a profound mis-
calculation. The Premier is not COM
mitted irrevocably to the Journey TO
Washington, and the idea that no might
be induced to lead a movement of sur
render to the Sim lTein IN order that he
may attend the Washington conference
is secuted az utterly absurd.
"Mr. DE Valera's message TO the Pope
Is regarded as an attempt TO force peace,
but there is danger of a rupture in the
conference on Monday unless the Sim
E'cin delegates in London disown the
action of Mr.. De Valera and the ex-
tremists for whom he speaks. In that
case a general election would be pre-
cipitated in order for the Government to
secure new mandate to take whatever
course toward Ireland Is necessitated by
new circumstances"
1t was stated to-day that Mr.. Lloyd
George plans to sail on the Aquitsnia
November 8. with A. J. Balfour, expect
ing to arrive in New York November II,
the day the conference in Washington
begins.
Besides Ulster. the conference to-day
reached the questions of the army and
navy. which arc critical ones, but
no progress was made. The Gov
ernment delegates. according to Sim
Fein sources took violent exception to
Eamon de valera's message to the Pope
and this development. added to the Ul-
stcr crisis. left the negotiations hanging
by mere string.
Delegates Not Consulted.
There was said to be reason TO believe
that the letter was written without con-
sultation with the Irish delegates In
London. AS n statement OF principle. the
Dali delegates endorse II, but they did
not find IL helpful.
The Sim Fein delegates defended the
letter by the argument that when the
King. who to them. means the British
Government. writes to the Pope presup-
posing Ireland's duty OF allegiance to Il.
II was necessary to make IL perfectly
clear that they recognized no such allie
glance while the question remains open.
The object of the negotiations. they
pointed out. was 10 close that question
one way or the other.
Some newspapers here suggest that
The terms of The. Tope's letter TO King
George IMPLY thai II war should be re-
aewtd in Tre'end the Catholic Church
might take sides again7t Sim Fein.
Tine London Times scores Mr.. dc Va
,era in severe editorial for his ieie-
gram to the Pope which it imagnes
viii fill his Holiness with dismay and
certainly arouse the indignation Of the
reopie Of this country and the do
minions."
Times. at is an act OF impertinence !:
and toward the King, whose solictudo
for the Irish people needs no proof. Il
is unmannerly to the point OF churlish-
ness"