Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-09-29
LLOYD GEORGE INFORMS
IRISH HE CANNOT CHANGE
GOVERNMENTS POSITION
Position is Taken That Ire
land Would Not be Allowed
to Separate
TO CONFER ON OCT. II
Must Base Proposition on Self
Government as Members
of British Dominion

LONDON, Sept. 29:-Leaders of
the Irish Sim Fein have been invlt-
ed to take part in a conference here
October II in a dispatch to Eamon
de Valera by Lloyd George. 1t was
dispatched early today and was con-
sidered the British government
final word in exchange of messages.
Lloyd George informed De Valera
that the British government could
not alter its fundamental position
. which was vital to the empires ex-
istence. The position was that Ire
land could not be allowed to separ-
ate but must base her proposition
upon self government as member
of the sisterhood of British domin-
ion.
Mr.. de Valera has already agreed
to confer on the question of the as
sociation of Ireland with the empire
but has reiterated the decision OF
Dali that it's negotiators would con-
slider themselves representatives OF
an independent country. Since then
Arthur Griffiths has been quoted as
declaring the Sim Fein had never
asked the British government tc
recognize the claim to Irish inde-
pendence as a preliminary to con-
ference.
Thus, the view held in some quar-.
ters is that the Sim Fein can now
accept Mr.. Lloyd Georges invitation
without abandoning its own stand
point.
Text of Premier's Reply
GAIRLOCH, Sept. 20 (By The
Associated Press 1.-The text of Pre-
mier Lloyd Georges reply which
was dispatched to Dublin today fol-
lows:
"Sir:
His majesty's government has
given close and earnest consldera-
ton to the correspondence which
has passed between us since their
invitation to you to send delegates
to a conference at Inverness.
''In spite of their sincere desire
for peace and in spite of the more
conciliatory tone of your latest COM
munication they cannot enter into
conference upon the basis of this
correspondence.
Notwithstanding your persona
assurance to the contrary whlcf
they must appreciate it might bs
argued in the future that the ac'
ceptance of a conference on this ba'
sis has involved them in recognl'
tion which no British government
can accord. On this point they mus
guard themselves against any posi-
Bile doubt. There is no purpose tt
be served by any further inter
change OF explanatory and argu
mentative communications upor
this subject.
"The position taken up by his ma
iesty's government is fundamental u
the existence of the British emplr'
and they cannot alter 1t.
.Mv colleagues and l remain keen
,v anxious to make. in cooperation
with your delegates another deter
mined effort to explore every pos
sihility of a settlement by persona
discussion.
..The proposals which we have al
ready made have been taken by tn
whole world as proof that our endea
vors for reconciliation and settlemen
are Of no empty form and we zee
that. conference-not correspond
ence-is the most practical an
hopeful way to an understandin
such as we ardently desire to achleve
1--WE. therefore. send you. here
with. a fresh invitation to confer
ence in London, October IL. wher
we can meet your delegates as tn
spokesmen of the people whom yo
represent. with view to ascertain
inc how the association of Irelan
with the community of nation
known as the British empire, ma
hest be reconciled with Irish nationa
aspirations.
IT am sir.
yours faithfully
I'D. LLOYD GEORGE"
/ P. A. Hdwe. for Repeater Fuse Plugs