The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-08-15
Action of British Govern"
ment in Giving Letters to
Press Indicates Gravity
of the Situation
VIRTUAL DEADLOCK
IS DISCLOSED
LLOYD GEORGE LITERALLY LAYS
CARDS ON TABLE; DE VALERA'S
NEXT STEP IS WATCHED
WITH KEEN INTEREST
(gy the Associated Press)

London, Aug. 15.--England today
faced crucial period in the negotia-
lions looking to the establishment Of
reace in Ireland. Tho action of the
British government yesterday in max
ing public letters exchanged between
Prime Minister Lloyd George and Ea-
monn de Valera Irish republican lead
er, showed the people that a virtual
deadlock existed and, although the
door was declared to have been left
open for further parleys, it was APP
parent that the situation was one Of
considerable gravity.
Reports from Dublin which might in
dicate what the Irish republicans would
do TO counter the unexpected move Of
the government in giving the corre-
spondence to the press, were auxiously
awaited. 1t appeared the next step
should be made in that city, as Mr..
Lloyd George literally laid his cards
on the table yesterday and it seemed
that Mr.. de Valera and his colleagues
must meet the situation thus created.
Whether they would issue a state
ment today. or would wait until the
opening Of the Irish republican parlia-
ment tomorrow was uncertain. The
purpose OF the precipitate action of
the government in making public the
British proposals and the demands oR
the Irish republicans had not been
disclosed, but it appears that the
prime minister sought to lay the Irish
problem before the country on the eve
OF meeting of the Dial Eireann. The
government terms were, in brief as
follows:
Dominion status for Ireland, with
complete autonomy in financial mat
ters, but without tariff or trade re-
strictions between the islands. Ireland
would maintain defense forces and
rSlce. but her territorial forces would
. be kept within reasonable limits"
ireland would maintain her own
postal system. but would grant Eng.
land air defense and communication IA
cilities. Ireland would have control OF
her own educational and industrial af'
iairs. but the British navy would
maintain Is hold on the seas around
the island. a share of the United
Kingdoms debt would be assumed by
ireland. the exact amount to De fixed
by arbitration.
Mr.. de Valera. in reply. demanded
fun independence for Ireland. and sug-
cested a treaty Of association with
the British commonwealth group. Trea'
ties regarding trade and limitation Of
ornaments were urged by the Irish
republican chieftain, together with mu'
igal agreements Us 10 air. railway
ma other communications. The Ulster
situation would be left to the Irish
themselves for settlement, Mr.. de
Valera declaring employment OF force
was not contemplated"
The attitude Of the Ulster govern.
ment was made plain by the making
public ut Belfast Of letter to Mr..
Lloyd George from Sir James Craig,
the Ulster premier.
Sir James said he would not interfere
NJ any negotiations between the Brit
ish government and the Irish rcpub-
leans but would stand 10 cooperate
On equal terms with southern Ireland
In carrying out any agreement they
reached.
Most OF the London newspapers In
their comment on the new development
on the Irish situation this morning re.
ilected the belief that the government
proposals offered generous settle
ment OF the controversy.