The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-21


the inner circles of the Sim Fein re-
garding the peace negotiations con-
tinues optimistic, it was learned late
today the Irish republican army has
been instructed to prepare TO resume
hostiiities at a moments notice.
London. July 21.-The conversations
between Mr.. Lloyd George and Eamonn
de Valera from which it was hoped the
basis for an Irish peace conference
might emerge have been terminated
for the present without that objective
having been attained.
At the final meeting of the British
prime minister and the Irish repub-
lican leader today Mr.. Lloyd George
submitted definite proposals which
were represented as the considered
judgment of himself and his cabinet
as constituting suitable ground for n
full fledged peace parley, based upon
his interviews of the past week with
de Valera and Sir James Craig, the
Ulster premier.
These proposals, it is learned. au-
thoritatively comprised less than ten
articles. Whether they met with a
| flat rejection by the Irish republican
leader or were taken by him without
comment for review by himself and
! his colleagues in Dublin, in the hope
| they might contain the nucleus for
negotiations was concealed by the
brief joint communique issued after
| the meeting. This read:
No Peace Basis Found.
Mr.. Lloyd George and Mr.. de Va
| lera had a further conversation at IL
! o'clock this morning lasting about an
hour. The basis for a further con-
/ ference has not yet been found Mr..
de Valera has arranged to return to
| ireland tomorrow and to communf-
cate with Lloyd George again after
further discussion with his coll
| leagues"
Mr.. de Valera and his colleagues
after their return to Irish headquar-
ters expressed their anxiety for tho
/ attainment of peace, despite what is
at least the temporary impasse
The communique was issued shortly
after Premier Lloyd George had
handed Eamonn de Valera. the Eng
lish governments. peace offer. Fol-
lowing the departure of de Valera, tho
premier conferred with General SHUTS
the South African premier; Sir
Hamar Greenwood, chief secretary for
Ireland, and Winston Churchill. Sec
retary of state for the colonies.
Cabinet Council Meets.
While failure has marked ALI ef-
Iorts TO penetrate the official secrecy,
nome rule Is the most favored pre-
diction of those best qualified to see
beyond the veil that has obscured de-
tallS or the negotiations since Mr. de
valera came to London. 1t is Under
stood that the proposals. which are
said to have been supplemented in
many respects by suggestions from
premier j. G. SHUTS, of South Africa
accord a considerable measure of
fiscal freedom to Ireland, but avoid
extending rights of taxation against
| England, which the latter might not
be able to exercise in return against
ireland. The prime minister presided
over a meeting of the cabinet council
last night and gave his ministers a
detailed history of recent Irish nego-
tiations as well as his own views of
the situation. Following this he sub
mitted the proposal which would be
given to de Valera today and, accord
ing to this mornings newspapers, the
ministers were almost Unanimous in
support of the premier.
To Receive Unionists.
While it is not known definitely Just
how the cabinet stood It is certain
the majority in favor of the govern
ment program was large, notwith-
standing recent rumors of a diver
gence in the ministery. This reported
unanimity increased considerably the
anxiety of some of the more extreme
/ conservative unionists, who are par
ticularly desirous of insuring the posi-
ton of Ulster fully safeguarded in
whatever arrangements are made
Austen Chamberlain, government lead
er in the house of commons, will re-
ceive a deputation of these nnionists
today, at the same hour Premier Lloyd
George is In consultation with Mr.. de
Valera. and it is stated that their flu
turc attitude will depend upon what
. they are told at this time, the gov
ernment suggestion being that IL this
deputation is dissatisfied, there may
be many cessions from the coalition.
Two unionist members Of the house
Of commons, Col. Martin Archer-Shee g
and Col. John Gretton, already have
formally withdrawn their support
from the coalition, as they disapproved
the governments position toward de
Valera and the Irish republic.