The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-09-16
Lloyd George Promptly
Cancels Confere n c e
Call When De Valera
Insists Upon Recogni-
ton of Irish Independ-
ence = No Indications
Yet AS To What the
Next Step Will Be

London, Sept 16.-Relations be-
tween Great Britain and Ireland
stood today as they did before Eamon
de Valera came to London on July IA
to discuss with Prime Minister Lloyd
George a possible basis for ending the
Irish controversy The Sim Fein
leader. yesterday made public his let
ter to the Prime minister, reaffirming
his stand that the Irish plenipoten-
tiaries could enter a conference, only
as representatives of an independent
power and Lloyd George quickly can
celled his invitation to Irish leaders
to parley at Inverness.
1t was made plain by the prime min
lister that he could not meet the Sim
Fein delegates if the claim of Irish
independence and sovereignty were
insisted upon, but he did not close the
door to further exchanges with the
Republicans.
Mr.. Lloyd George is indispOsed and
is confined to his rooms at Gairloch,
Scotland, where he has been spending
a vacation and it is understood here
that members of the British cabine.
will confer with him before the gov
ernment takes further steps.
Truce Still Stands
There was no indication here today
that either the British government OF
the Sim Fein denounce the truce ar
ranged two months ago and resume
the guerrilla warfare that cost scores
of lives and destroyed property valued
high in the millions. Warfare is the
last thing either side desires and no
effort, apparently, will be spared to
prevent any overt act that will place
on either the responsibility for re-
Stunning hostilities.
Just what the Sim Fein would do
seemed difficult question today. Two
points set forth by de Valera in his
note to Mr.. Lloyd George were osely
examined by those who are trying to
determine what plans the Republi
cans had in mind. The first was:
Our nation has formally declared its
independence and recognizes itself a
sovereign state, and it is only as rep
resentatives of that state and its
chosen guardians that we have all
thority and power to act in behalf of
our people.
1t was suggested that the Dali
Eireann might intend to go to the
Irish people with the question and
seek to determine by means of pie
biscite what their desires are.
The other sentence that attracted
attention was the one directed appar-
emily, at the separation of Ulster and
southern Ireland and it was consid-
cred possible that new efforts would
be made to approach the Ulster gov
ernment with view to reaching a
working agreement, and then ap-
preaching the British government
once more.
May Call Parliament
The Belfast correspondent Of the
Press Association says the Irish News
of that city prints report from well
known Dublin source that the gov
ernment contemplates an early as
{ sembly of the British parliament. This
step would be taken, it is said with
Z the view of declaring general elec:
tion so that a new government might
7 be formed, invested with the right tC
formulate domestic policies and ap
point delegates to the conference or
limitation of ornaments to be helt
in Washington. ,..t.
I'm this event." the correspondent
adds, "the masses of Irish, people
might get an opportunity of giving s
considered verdict on views most vi
tally affecting their own country"
Declaring that there was but on,
reply to claim which would be equiv
alent to Great Britain acknowledg
ing Irelands right to negotiate /;
of n1ncQr oGcn0iaf finn will
"some other foreign power" he mild
Z ly reproaches the Irish people for tax
ing no single step to meet the gener
Gus advances of the British govern
ment.
The whole tone of the letter, il
fact, reveals that the premier still re
tains hope of some more favorable de
velopment.
The text of Mr.. Lloyd Georges re
3 ply. which was telegraphed last nigh
4 says:
81 informed your emissaries wh
& came to me here Tuesday, that re
iteration of your claims to negotiat
with his majesty's government as tn
representative of an independent an
\, sovereign state would make a con
ference between us impossible.
Formally Declared Independence
'sThey brought me letter from yo
q In which you specifically reaffirm tina
claim, stating that your nation ha
a formally declared its independents
and recognizes itself as a sovereig
state and 1t is only you added, "a
Representatives of that state and a
its chosen guardians that we hav
& "a .If 81, III t4i7 ti it II K fA ~. X IN