Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-07-15
IS OPTIMISTIC
OVER IRELAND
Lloyd George Calls Meeting
With De Valera For
Adjustment
URGES PATIENCE
Pays Tribute to king-Must Say Lit
tie NGw-Tw0 and Half Hours
Parley

London, July ij.-Premicr Lloyd
George held counci! Of Ministers at
the House Of Commons last night to
discuss mis- mec ting with Mr.. De
Valera. Later h. proceeded to din
ner of the Liberal CoaitioniSts.
where he received great ovation.
Apoiogiizng for his late appear
ancc. he said he had been engaged
in important tasks during the day
and after dischareirG them he'd to
meet hiS colleagues and report to
his sovereign. who, he declared was
taking d very li.cn and close inter-
est in the proceedings and 10 whose
intervention so much was attribut-
able.
I'VE owe him." added the Prem
ier, "a deep debt Of gratitude for
this. one of IL" greatest services
he has rendered I" This was gree,ed
with loud applause.
With reference to Ireland, Mr..
Lloyd George hesoueht his aadien-
ce not to tempt him into an indis-
crction.
The less said the better AZ this
stage" declared the Premier. "but
there is the great fact--that Mr..
De Valera. chieftain of the vast ma
jcri,y Of the Irish race. has been in
a conference for nearly three hours
with the Prime Minister of this
ccuntry, discussing various methods
ard Suggestions. for the settlement
of this long. long centroversy--an
cid, bitter. wasteful feud in which
there has been for AGES long a mum
her of disastrous blunders and end
less opportunities lost.
"I.et Us trust that this one vii!
rot be lost. I can only say, after
the long discussion. tnat am GER
-ain we both did our best to secure
ncacc cloud cheers. Beyond
that it would not be wise for ne 70
~o at th;.' moment because we both
have our difficulties to deal with
Lloyd George and Mr.. De Valera
had tea together in the Prcmier's
official residence in Downing street
Yesterday AFTERNOON. and snent more
than two hours and q half making
clear to each. other he circumstan-
ces under which they thought Great
Britain and the Dali Eireann might
BE willing 10 seat delegates a. con
ference table with representatives
of Ulster in an effort 10 compose
age lcng differences betcween the
three parties and settle the Irish
question.
The extreme length Of the priv
ate conversation and the fact that il
IS said to have ended ''amiably,"
and that an agreement was reached
to issue a joint communique iS in
te.preted as a good augury. That
the prayers Of both peoples for the
success Of the conference were fer
vent was shown by the kneeing
Irish men and women in Downing
street recitin% the rosary and sing
ing hymns, while the Archbishop of
Canterbury. presiding at a meeting
IN the nGtioHa assembly Of the
English Church. reminded the as
sen,hly that the conference was
meeting and invited AL present to
stand for few moments in silent
prayer.
This initial talk between The two
leaders, tie preliminary nature OF
which was emphasized by both
sides. had at least enc remark COM
mon to momentous gatherings Of
statesmen in recent years. for at its
conclusion the only word vouchsafed
the public was cryptic joint COM
munique containing the bare an
npuncement that there had been a
free exchange of views, in which
their relative positions were defined,
and that thc discussion would be
resumed tomorrow.
From both sides, however. it is
cleaned that The lonc conversation
was marked by- the utmost cordiality,
rot II the least marred bv the III.
dor with which the two viewpoints
were presented and left the parti.
ipants satisfied and able tu assure
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