The Washington herald., 1921-07-15
and United Hevs.)
ny A. K. JOHNSON.

LONDON, July 14.-Meettng as
man to man rather than as premier
and rebel leader. Lloyd George and
Eamonn de Valera have exchanged
the preliminary terms. upon which
the British-Irish conference hopes
to found a lasting peace in ireland.
For three hours the two leaders,
alone and undisturbed. discussed
the basis upon which a workable
agreement may be arrived at, while
thousands OF English and Irishmen
watched and prayed and sang out
side the premier's home in Down
ing street
"EverythinE Amisble!'
The conference is proceeding
satisfactorily" was the substance
of the message sent to the waiting
crowds and the public when the
president of the Irish Republic"
emerged from Downing street with
his friends and colleagues.
Everything is amiabic." said Art
League in London, as he left the
premier's residence. But what Lloyd
George said to de Valera and what
not yet been told.
At the conclusion of the confer
ence the following oficial COM
munique.. as b'ief as some of the
famous documents OF the allied SUI
aAsan1fI In H.
"A free exchange Of views oc-
Great Britain and Ireland were de-
ined. The conversations will be
resumed at 1850 o'clock tomor-
row"
The British premier, who had been
scheduled To speak at q big coalition
dinner in the evening. cancelled the
engagement at the last moment, de-
claring that 1t was absolutely nec-
essary" to confer with his col
leagues on the Developments in the
Irish situation. .--
Great Crowds Cheer.
An extended meeting of the Cab
met ministers took place in the
evening and the days developments
were also discussed in the House
Of Commons.
De Valera. Robert c. Barton and
O'Brien arrived at the Whitehall en-
trance to Downing street prompt
ly at 4:3o, making their way
through a mass of waving Sinn
Fein fags and cheering people. Just
short time before the British dele
cation had appeared and been greet
ed with as much enthusiasm as that
displayed for the Sim Fein execu-
tfves. although with the Premier
was not only Austen Chamberlain
tut Sir Hamar Greenwood, who Is
generally held responsible for the
British policy of repression in Ire
land and whose name has conse-
quently been anathema to the en-
tire -Soutn of ireland. ..-
As the officials entered the pre-
mier's residence, the crowd broke
into old Irish songs. interspersed. at
times with other melodies, of which
Auld Lang Syne was decidedly a
favorite. For hours the singing
continued. There was more
solemn touch In, the little knots Of
people who prayed audibly, roS aries
in hand. for the success .,of the
negotiations,
The hours passed and as even
ing came on some of the ,theons
disappeared. But their places wece
hlled later by other crowds leaving
the shops and when the session
came to an end, some time after
o'clock, the street was once more
hlled with an enthusiastic throng.
Rain Hailed Good Omen.
In the evening came the drizzle
of rain-the first that has fallen il.
many weeks of terrible drought
But this, rather than dampening
the ardor of the vociferous- assem-
blage, was received as the most
favorable of omens, for London has
suffered this summer as never be-
fore.
AS had been agreed on. the pre-
mier and De Valera, although ac-
companied to the council chamber
by their colleagues. were given
this first opportunity to exchange
their personal views alone and un.