The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-05
Avoided Newspaper Men and
Slipped Into Ireland.
Republican Leaders Go Into
Immediate Conference.
LLOYD GEORGE is CONFIDENT
British Premier Encouraged by
Dublin Union Session.
Peace Farley Expected to Bring
End to Killings.

Dublin, July 5.-Peace negotiations
are proceeding favorably. according to
all indications this evening. General
Smuts, premier of South Africa, who
slipped into Dublin unobserved this
morning, lost no time in getting into
action. He conferred during the after
noon with prominent Republican Of
ficials.
II is believed both sides will release
their prisoners and that fighting will
cease this week. Owing to the diff
Guilty in communicating with groups Of
the Irish Republican army in isolated
districts, hostilities may be slow in
stopping in such places.
Premier Jan Christian Smuts, of
South Africa. who is comforting with
leaders of the hostile political factions
N Ireland in an effort to further Irish
peace, slipped into Dublin today un-
observed and unknown.
He had been in town several hours
before it was known that he had are
rived. Following the arrival of the
South African statesman, a consulta-
ton was held by the republican chief
tains.
Hid From Reporters.
Premier Smuts's secret entrance to
Dublin was explained this afternoon.
He said that, for the purpose of
avoiding newspaper reporters and
| photographers, he had remained IN
| his cabin on the Holyhead-Dublin
packet until the other passengers had
embarked, giving the impression that
he was not aboard.
| In the meantime, Lord Mayor
O'Neill and the other officials who
were at the pier to extend formal
greetings, not seeing General SHUTS.
concluded that he had postponed his
visit and departed. Later in the day.
! General SHUTS called upon Lord
Mayor O'Neill and explained the cir
! cumstances.
No Effect on Sim FcEn War.
| The Dublin conference was the OUT
standing feature in London newspa-
pers this morning. nearly all treating
! 1t sympathetically and expressing
hope that it would. lead to peace in
Comment on the meeting, however,
was not devoid of remarks that the
conference did not affect the prog
ress of the Sim Fein guerrilla war
fare on crown forces there. An ex-
I ception to the general trend of hope
fulness was found in the editorial
comment by the Morning Post. which
opposed any concession to the Irish
republicans. 1t began its editorial by
| criticizing the governments attitude
| of eating dirt.
Ulster Premier Joins Parley.
Great interest is felt in the mis-
sion of General SHUTS to Ireland.
| there being a difference of opinion
whether il was prompted by the gov
ernment or undertaken at the invi-
tation of Irish leaders. Sir James
Craig, premier of Ulster. left Belfast
for London today, and 1t is pointed
out that he will have abundant time
to confer with members of the gov
ernment and others whom he may
I desire to consult, pending a decision.
by Eamonn de Valera. respecting the
!, proposed conference of Irish premiers
with Lloyd George.
Earl Middleton, one of the four
, southern unionists who took part in
Yesterdays Conference at Dublin, ar
| rived in England last night and it is
assumed he intends to confer with
politicians here during the interval
before the resumption of the Dublin
conference on Friday.
/, Lloyd George Claims Progress.
Paris. July 5.-Progress towards
unity in ireland as a preliminary step
to Premier Lloyd Georges peace par
ley in London. was the outstanding
result of the initial Sim Fein unionist
conference at Dublin, it was generally
admitted today.
| Lord Middleton, one Of the Irish
Unionists who conferred with Eamonn
de Valera in Dublin Monday. arrived
here today and conferred with Pre-
mier Lloyd George.
In a brief interview given at Holy
head while en- route for London Lord
Middleton said:
""There is no reason to be dissatis-
fled with the progress made. Pre-
mier Jan Christian Smuts, Of South
Africa, who was recently proposed as
mediator in the Irish strife. is expect
ed at Dublin to confer with leaders
of both the Sim Fein and Unionist
political factions.
The only official information bear
ling upon the result of the conference
was that certain agreements had be-
come to-" The nature of the agree
iTnents were not explained.
In addition to de Valera. Arthur
Griffith. NJ. p, head of the Sim Fein.
was present. The next conference will
be held Friday.
Most of the comment in the morn
ing newspaper on the new Irish de-
velopment was favorable