Evening star., 1921-10-01
Agreement of De Valera to
Enter Conference Accepted
With Qualification Here.
STRONG INFLUENCE SEEN
ON WORLD ARMS PARLEY
Strained Relations Might leopard.
ize Effort to Limit Armaments.
Believe Danger Removed.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,


Although officially the Irish problem
is purely a domestic matter, as be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland, the
fact is the agreement between Prime
Minister Lloyd George and Eamonn
De Valera to enter into a personal
discussion on October II of the ques-
tions at issue has caused much graft
f1cation here.
For, unquestionably, the settlement
of the Irish problem will have a
bearing on the relations between the
United States and Great Britain at
the forthcoming Washington confer
ence. Practically all the major prob
lens. whether they relate to the far
east or the Limitation of naval arma-
ment. turn upon the intimacy Of the
British and American governments
one another. An open breach in the
Irish question about the time the
Washington conference begins would
be regarded here as most unfortunate.
The prospect Of a settlement. on the
other hand. creates even more hope
fulness. for the larger gathering here
of the great powers. With the removal
of the single cloud on Anglo-Amer-
ican relations. the Washington gov
ernment will be in a better position
to reach an understanding with the
British government on matters Of
worldwide concern
National COnsciOusness Tendency.
Incidentally the task of reconciling
Ireland's national aspirations with
the association of nations known as
the British empire. involves so many
points of vital interest to the Unit
ed States that the solution reached
will be carefully studied. For in
stance, the various dominions of the
British empire have. since the war,
exhibited national consciousness
which has manifested itself first in
desire to be represented as nations
in the assembly of the league of ma
tions and. second. in the insistence Of
several dominions that the British
government should not renew the
deed repoI ted that the Canadian pre-
mier notified the British prime min
lister that it Japanese, alli-
ance was renewed. Canada might not
consider herself .hnnild by the action,
That's an example of how far the
national aspirations Of a part Of the
British empire might conflict with an
imperial foreign. policy. and If Great
Britain gives to- one Of her dominions
voice in foreign policy she will be
obliged to grant the same privileges
to others.
Rumors have reached here that
Eamonn de Valera will insist upon a
national status in the sense of men,
hership In the assembly Of the league
of nations alongside the other British
dominions. The whole basis of the
discussion between Prime Minister
Lloyd George and Mr.. de Valera in
wolves the grant to Ireland of cer-
tain opportunities to make her infiu-
encei felt in International councils as
well as in getting domestic autonomy.
Hope I'm Referendum.
While there is no such thing as a
consensus of opinion in official quar-
ters on such delicate thing as the
Irish problem. dominant view Is
that Mr.. Lloyd George has cleyerly
renewed the negotiations with the
Slim Fein without causing either side
demand. Such Information as trickles
in from reliable sources. however. in
dica tes that the British prime min
lister Is determined not to grant abb
solute Independence to Ireland and
that the Sim Fein leaders now are
granted in the negotiations. The hone
Of solution lies in referendum by
the people, who are so weary Of war
fare that they are said to be ready
to approve the settlement which the
British government Is preparing to
offer. The Irish leaders who are
committed to national independence
may be reluctant to accept. but would.
Of course. have to bow to the will
of the people. The prospects are
brighter than ever that the British
empire and the United States will
Der IL better friends than they have
been in recent months.
Copyright. 1921