The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-18
Dali Eireann Starts Debate on
Official British Reply.
Observers at Dublin Declare
Break Is Not Certain.
ULSTER HOLDS DECIDING VOTE
Rejection of Offer Not Senti-
ment of Parliament.
Vote on Question May Be Called
to Guide Leaders.

Dublin. Aug. 1S.-The peace nego-
tiations between the British govern
ment and the Irish republican leaders
were not mentioned in this mornings
secret session of the Dali Eireann. or
Irish republican parliament, it was an
nounced officially this afternoon.
During public meetings held on
Tuesday and Wednesday the members
heard Eamonn de Valera denounce the
British offer and assert that Ireland
would insist upon separation from
England, but with the exception Of
the applause which greeted his utter
ances, there was little by which OBJ
servers could estimate the attitude
of the majority of the parliament
toward absolute rejection of the terms
submitted by Prime Minister Lloyd
George.
Break Not Feared.
1t was the general belief that the
Dali Eireann would not break off the
negotiations with Great Britain and
it was thought that some action might
be taken to approach Ulster in an ef-
fort to secure her cooperation in
carrying on the conversations in Lon
don. Mr.. de Valera stated yesterday
that he was ready to get In touch with
the government of Northern Ireland
and that the Irish republicans would
make sacrifices to Ulster that they
would never think of making to Eng
land"
The nature of the sacrifices" to
Ulster that Mr.. de Valera had in mind
were not disclosed yesterday but it
was believed today that he would re-
veal to the members of the parliament
the steps he would advocate in bring
ing Ulster in accord with the Sim
Fein. Should such an entente be
reached, it was indicated yesterday
new proposals to Great Britain might
be made and there were observers
who expressed belief that the offer
! to enter the commonwealth Of British
dominions as an independent state.
Plebisclte Possible.
An agreement granting the prime
minister's stipulations relative to ma
val control of the seas about Ireland
and air bases on the island might be
complimentary to such an offer, in
the opinion of men who had followed
! closely the work of the parliament.
The possibility of calling plebis-
cite by which the people of southern
Ireland might give their leaders a
mandate governing their future activ-
tiles in the negotiations remained to-
day as one of the solutions OF the sit
uation.
\ In the addresses delivered before
the public sessions of the parliament
it appeared that stress was laid on the
Irish republican movement could not
entertain Great Britain's offer and
there were many who believed de Va
lera and his colleagues possibly in
tended to ask for new instructions.
London Expects Rejection.
London, Aug. 1s.-The government
expects official rejection of the Eng
iish peace terms by the Sim Fein par
Lament at Dublin, but official circles
are hopeful that Eamonn de Valera
will keep the door open for further
negotiations, the Star stated this after
noon.
A formal communication from de
Valera, embodying the decision of Dali
Eireann, is expected from Dublin be-
fore Sunday
British Parliament Ends.
Members of the British cabi-
net and leaders in both houses
of parliament are keeping in close
touch with developments in Dub
lin, where the Irish parliament is in
session. Lloyd George was in con-
ference with his ministers for nearly
two hours yesterday and it was un-
derstood that the Irish situation was
the principal subject under considera-
ton.
The present session of the British
parliament Is to end tomorrow. It
seems probable that in that brief In
terval no decisive step can be taken
regarding ireland. In any case. how
/ ever, it is believed the kings speech
/ in proroguing parliament will lIrgely
ba concerned with irish affafrH