Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-28
ENGLAND MAKES
DIRECT MOVE FOR
PEACE WITH IRISH

Lloyd Georges invitation to "Presi-
dent" De Valera to conference sent
Saturday is first open overture for
peace ever made publicly by the
British government, and, following
closely upon the heels of King
Georges conciliatory speech at the
opening of parliament in Belfast this
week, is regarded as significant.
It is the first and the last real
peace offer to the Sim Feiners, the
Sunday Times stated authoritatively
tonight.
Sim Feiners cannot realize their
hope for a republic, the newspaper
declared. "A republic is impossi-
ble," it said. But peace is essen
tia1."
1.-The premier's offer does not in
dictate any weakening in the light
against Sim Fein," it declared. THE
government is determined to subdue
the extremists, but that determina-
ton does not conflict with a fervent
desire for a settlement by conference.
IF De Valera does not accept the
invitation the government will not
the British Empire are not exhaust
ed; indeed they have not yet been
invoked. 1t is to be hoped the invi-
tation will be accepted in the spirit
In which it is offered"
The letter, which is dated June "a,
Is couched in Identical terms to
both Mr.. De Valera and Sir James,
except for necessary verbal changes.
THE British government" it says,
ARE deeply anxious that, as far as
they can assure it, the kings APP
peal for reconciliation shall not have
been made in vain. Rather than al
law apother opportunity for a set
tlement in Ireland to be cast aside,
they feel it incumbent on them to
make final appeal in the spirit OF
the kings words for a conference
between themselves and representa-
tives of southern and northern Ire
land. a.
ST write, therefore, to convey the
following invitation to you as the
chosen leader of the great majority
in southern Ireland, and to Sir James
Craig, premier of northern Ireland:
"First, that you should attend a
conference here in London with Sir.
James Craig to explore to the ut
most the possibility of settlement;
second, that you should bring with
you for that purpose any colleagues
whom you may select. The govern
ment, will, of course, give safe con-
duct to all who may be chosen TO
participate in the conference.
1--WE make this invitation with the
fervent desire to end the ruinous
conflict, which for centuries has d.
vided Ireland and embittered the re-
lations of the peoples of those Two
; islands. who ought to live in neigh
borly harmony with each other and
whose cooperation would mean so
much, not only to the empire, but
to humanity. We wish that no en-
deavor should be lacking on our part
to realize the kings prayer and we
ask you to meet US, as we VIII meet
you, in the spirit of Cancellation for
which his majesty appealed.
II am, sir, your obedient servant
I'D. LLOYD GEORGE"
settlement in Sight
Iloyd Georges sensational peace
proffer was believed to be the Gull
mination of lengthy sub-rosa inter-
changes, details of which were never
permitted to reach the public.
The fact that the premier maze
cate that De Valera already has
promised to accept the invitation.
Since the middle of the winter we'll
Informed persons have expressed the
opinion that the Irish situation at
last was reaching a point where
settlement was in sight. One high
authority went so far as to name
July as the month in which the
agreement would be made.
One of the important effects of
Lloyd Georges invitation is the d.
rect recognition of De Valera as
person qualified to represent south
ireland The premier frequently has
announced his readiness to confer
with persons who can speak for the
people Of Ireland" but he had hith-
erto' specifically avoided mentioning
the name of De Valera or any other
person.
The letter addressed De Valera as
"the chosen leader Of great ma
jority in southern Ireland" and stat
ito explore to the utmost the posi-
bility of a settlement" A similar
letter was dispatched to Craig.
The greatest significance was at
quarters. It was pointed to as not
unexpected climax to a series of i'm
King George, in conyoking the
first home rule parliament in Bel
fast, pleaded for peace and urged
the Irish people to fforgive and for
portant incidents in the last week.
get"
DevaIera's Arrest
Then there came the arrest of De-
Valera, under an assumed name. He
is still technically a fugitive from
Justice, as the result of his sensa-
tional escape from prison, preceding
his flight to America, but as soon as
his real identity was established he
was promptly released.
The British governments recent
militant gesture toward complete
suppression of the Sim Fein by over
wIelming pressure of arms had been
met by increased activities of the
Irish "Republican' forces. AS soon
as the increased British garrisons
began to pour into southern Ireland
the Sim Feiners' depredations be-
came more frequent, more spectacu-
lar and on a larger scale.
To the ordinary raids were added
the burning of the Dublin customs
house, the capture and destruction of
three coast guard stations, almost
within sight Of that city, and, final
ly, the wrecking of a British troop
train.
The recent elections held under the
home rule act for members of the
northern and southern Irish parlia-
ments showed conclusively that the
Republican element was more strong
ly entrenched than ever. the Sim
Feiners not only electing their own
membership to the southern body
and then invalidating the election by
refusing to take office-but showing
unusual strength in Ulster by win
ming a few seats there.
These elections were followed by
the Sim Feiners' own balloting,
which resulted in De Valera's re-elec-