The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-13
De Valera and Lloyd George
Meet Thursday Afternoon.
Irish Leaders Hold Conference
in London Today.
ULSTER CHIEFS ARE DEFIANT
Ready to Fortify Frontiers
Against the Sim Fein.
Determined to Maintain Inde-
pendence of Government.

London. July 13.-FinaI plans for
the conference tomorrow between
Eamonn de Valera. president OF the
Irish republic" and Premier Lloyd
George were completed today. Fol-
lowing a meeting of the Irish delega-
ton at noon, de Valera exchanged
messages with 10 Downing street (ths
official residence of the premier), re-
garding tomorrow's arrangements.
A formal meeting of the Irish dele
cation was held at noon. at which de
Valera presided. Premier Lloyd
George was not in London, as he had
gone to his country estate at Chequers.
Official announcement was made at
1880 o'clock this afternoon that Pre-
mier Lloyd George and de Valera will
confer at 10 Downing street tomor-
row afternoon beginning at 4:s0.
Irish Leaders in ConcIave.
De Valera spent today comforting
with Sim Fein and English political
leaders preliminary to his meeting
with Premier Lloyd George tomorrow.
The Daily Telegraph warns against
undue optimism, pointing out that the
Dublin conferences between the Sim
Fein and the southern Ireland union
lists were successful because all con-
cerned carefully avoided anything
definite on Ulster.
promise between Dublin and Ulster.
On the contrary. Donal MacNeill. M.
p, one of the Ulster leaders, told the
International News Service that he
was sure the London peace parley
would fail owing to de Valera's in
sistenee upon a republic in Ireland.
Obstetrics Are Defiant.
"If England gives the Sim F'ein
complete independence, see nothing
for it but for Ulster to fortify her
frontiers and prepare for civil war"
said MacNeill. so far as the confer
ence concerns Ulster, her position is
that it has nothing to do with the
northern province.
Ulster has her own parliament and
her own constitution. She will refuse
to allow them to be interfered with on
any question. my concessions on
these points by Sir James Craig, pre-
mier of Ulster, means immediate re-
pudiation. The position taken by Sir
1 Maurice DockrelI and Lord Middleton
| (two southern ireland unionists)
means nothing to the unionists of Ul-
ster.
They are simply de valera's nomi-
nees. As for de Valera, it is certain
he would not be allowed to negotiate
except at the risk of his life on any
basis but that of complete indepen-
, dence. And that is out of the question.
| Therefore, While am anxious for
Irish peace, am without hope"
Police Are ON Leave.
| Large bodies of auxiliary police, who
were granted leave of absence In Ire
| land on account of the armistice, are
arriving in England.
There was much public curiosity
over De Valera and crowds gathered
about the Grosvenor hotel hoping to
! get a glimpse of him. The Sim Fein
leader did not much resemble the
/ head of a republic when he arrived.
| His hair was long and tossled. He
wore an old tweed suit much wrinkled.
His soft collar was melted down.
De Valera's face is deeply lined with
wrinkles, evidence of the heavy strain
he has been under. He told his friends
that he was much gratified with the
ovation given him and that he thought
it ahgured well for his mission.
Expect Smuts Present.
British officials who have been
/ closely associated with Irish affairs
during the recent past were said to-
day to be prepared to join in discuss
sions with the Sim Fein delegation
headed by Mr.. de Valera and 1t was
thought possible that Gen. j. c. Smuts,
premier of the Union of South Africa.
would play very definite role in the
negotiations that would take place.
\ General Smuts has been considered the
man chiefly responsible for the rapid
development of peace moves in Ire
land, and late last week 1t was said
, he might act as temporary chairman
of the coming conference.
Mr.. de Valera and his colleagues
spent the night at a hotel with friends
in this city last night. During the
evening there was meeting OF Sim
Fein sympaehizers, at which It is as
sumed the situation was quite thoroly
: canvassed.
Reports from ireland indicate the
truce arranged which became effective
at noon last Monday was being OBJ
served. The observance of Orange
] mems day." in Belfast yesterday, wai
not attended by any violence, and II
would appear that both sides in tbs
bitter strife in the Emerald Isle were
resolved not to embarrass their lead.
ers in arranging a possible peace.