Bisbee daily review., 1921-08-27
GEORGE SAYS BRITAIN
 WILL STAND BY
 FORMER OFFER
Reiterates Declaration That Complete Independence
 For Erin Impossible
DOOR STILL HELD OPEN
Premier Willing to Discuss Situation. But is Tired
 of Exchanging Notes

LONDON, Aug. 26.-(By the Asso- ciated Press.) - David Lloyd George. British prime minister. today sent a prompt rejoinder to the letter of Eamonn de Valera president of the irish Republic, which rejected the British government term for peace in Ireland.
 The premier's note constituted firm reiteration of the governments former standpoint, that Ireland could not be permitted to withdraw from the empire. He said he thought he had made it clear in conversations and previous communications that the government can discuss no settle ment which involves a refusal on the part of Ireland to accept free, equal and loyal partnership in the British commonwealth under one sovereign"
 Lloyd George, in concluding his note still held open the door for furtn- CT negotiations with de Valera and his colleagues if they are prepared to examine how far the governments con sideration 'can be reconciled with the aspiration you represent" He declar-
 
 could mot prolong a mere exchange of notes."
 In his communication. Lloyd George preserved the same friendly tone that has characterized his former letters to de Valera. Today he buttressed the governments standpoint by quo tations from Irish patriots and Abra- ham Lincoln. He wanted de Valera that a needless prolongation of the negotiations would serve to play into the hands of the extremists, who. he declared, were only anxious to wreck the negotiations and terminate the truce.
 London Is Hopeful
 A hopeful aspect of the situation as it is viewed in London political circles is that neither de Valera nor Lloyd George has yet closed the door on the negotiations.
 The text of the reply of Premier Lloyd George to Eamonn de Valera is as follows:
 Sir The British government is profoundly disappointed by your let ter of August 24. You write of the conditions of the meeting between us as though no meeting had ever taken place.
 '1 must remind you. therefore. that when I asked you to meet me six weeks ago. l made no preliminary conditions Of any sort. You came to London on that invitation and ex- changed views with me at three meet ings of considerable length. The pro posals I made to you after those meetings were based upon full and sympathetic consideration of the views which you expressed.
 They were not made in any hag- gling spirit. On the contrary my col leagues and l went to the very limit of our powers in endeavoring to re- concile British and Irish interests. Our proposals have gone far beyond all precedent and have been approved as liberal by the whole of the civil ized world Even in quarters which had shown sympathy with, the most extreme of the Irish claims, they are regarded as the utmost which the em- pire can reasonably offer or Ireland expect
 Proposals Described
 "The only criticism of them l have vet heard outside Ireland is from those who maintain that our propos- als have overstepped both warrant and wisdom in their liberality. Your letter shows no recognition of this. and further negotiations smust. I fear.