New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-07
No Pretense Will Conceal
Threat That All Irish
men W ould Resent, Says
Dali Eireann Spokesman
London Hopeful
As Cabinet Meets
Lloyd George Expectedto
Silence Opposition to
Continued Negotiations
By Arthur S. Draper
Special Cable to The Tribune


Copyright, 1921, New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Sept 6.-Eamon de
Valera, leader of the Irish repub-
licans, to-day, on the eve of the as
sembling of the British Cabinet,
asserted that war and not peace
would follow any attempt of Eng
land to impose a peace on Ireland
with a background of force.
"No pretense will hide the threat
of force" he declared. For peace
secured in these circumstances no
one would have the slightest re-
spect; certainly no Irishman would
feel bound by any arrangement thus
arrived at
De Valera, breaking the rule of
silence he had imposed on himself
since the present, negotiations were
begun, issued statement, regarded
as warning to the British Cabinet.
in which he denounced the demands
England was making and charged
that the British statesmen were try
ing to sell Ireland second rate polit-
ical margarine, calling it butter.
while the Irish people wanted the
real article.
Sees Masked UitiSnatum
He declared peace would never be
founded on make-believe, and de-
manded that if England were Sssu-
ing an ultimatum, let it be ansulti-
matum and be done with camoufage
and hypocrisy. He said England
had no basis in right for a single
one of the demands she was making
on Ireland and would not dare to
make them to power nearly as
stropg as herself.
The statement referred to the Pitt
union, which has been in force between
the two countries. and declared it must
be scrapped and the debris cleared
away to find a foundation for a real
and natural union of ireland and Eng
land. This assertion is regarded as a
bid for the union in force before the
so-called Pitt union was formed, where
of modern example was the pre-wsr
relation of Austria and Hungary.
That portion of the statement relat-
ing to ian arrangement with a back
ground'of force" is interpreted by some
to mean that De Valera will accept
the governments terms rather than
return to state of war. but under
protest and without taking the respon-
sibility for the consequences. This
attitude. however, does not appear to
be businesslike from the British view
point.
The statement is attracting wide
spread attention, and can DC used as all
argument by either the war or peace
party in the British Cabinet. 1t is
couched in the favorite cryptic Ian
guage of De Valera.
Time Limit on Irish Forecast
In the mean time many predict that
following the meeting Of the Cabinet,
at Inverness, Scotland, tomorrow
sharp reply to De Valera's latest will
be sent, in which will be set time
limit wherein the Irish republican
leader must decide whether he will
negotiate on basis of dominion home .
rule.
1t is known that a powerful section
OF the Cabinet IS of the opinion that
the time has arrived to break OFF
but this is not the view
of the general public and a majority Of
the newspapers. Particularly is this
latter view strengthened by the signs
that De vaIera's policy of defiance j.
no longer receiving the whole hearted
support of his own followers. Unless
the Sim Feiners are willing to declare
allegiance to the King-a point the
Premier has insisted on throughout the
seven weeks negotiations-all hope Of
a settlement is gone.
With the negotiations in their most
critical state seventeen ministers, in
Guiding all those of prominence, will
sit with thcs Premier at to-ruorrow's
momentous Cabinet session to decide
if the peace negotiations will continue
and to consult with the Premier on the
reply to De Valera's latest note. The
ministerial party, including Austen
Chamberlain Chancellor Of the Ex-
chequer: Lord Birkenhead, Lord
High Chancellor; Lord Curzon,~ For
eign Secretary, and +. s. Montague
Secretary of State for India, summoned
from all parts of England and France
started by train tonight for Inverness
where in the morning they will meet
among others the Premier. Winston
Churchill, Secretary of State for the
Colonies; Sir Edward Greenwood, Sec
retary of State for Ireland, and Sir
Robert Stevenson president of ths
Board of Trade
De yalera's Envoy Awaits Reply
Conferences were held IN London to-
day and at Brakan Castle, where the
Premier is passing the night. Com-
mandant Barton, who carried De Va
lera's letter which is responsible for
the Cabinet meeting, is remaining near
Inverness TO carry the government
reply to Dublin
Every one recognizes that a most
vital stage has arrived in the negotia-
tions and it Is no exaggeration to say
that Lloyd George enjoys q more gem
eraI support than he has had for many
months. On the other hand, De Valera
mas lost many sympathizers and Is
aware Of this. Hesjs In the eunbsrras-
sing position Of beis'< compelled - droa