The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-07-09
PROSPECTS, OF
PEACE in THE
EMERALD Isle
Preparations Are Under Way to
End Hostilities Between
Warning Factions.
BRITISH COMMANDER AND
VALERA IN CONFERENCE
South African Premier Has Act
ed as Pivot on Which Move
ment Has Turned.

LONDOA July 8.-7A truce has been
declared between England and Ireland.
1t win take effect at noon on Monday
next Preparations are already under
way to end the hostilities. between the
crown forces and those actively en-
gagged in the Irish cause.
Developments leading to the truce
were divided between London and
Dublin. In Dublin Eamonn de Valera,
Irish republican leader, and his ma
tionaIist associates, renewed their con
ference with the southern unionists
Earl Middleton, a unionist who recent
ly conferred with the British prime
minister, read a letter from Mr.. Lloyd
George to the effect that hostilitics
must cease II negotiations looking to
peace were to succeed.
General Sir Neville MacCready
British military commander in Ireland,
appeared at the De Valera conference
and it was not many hours later that
the announcement was made at the
prime minister's official residence In
London that in accordance with the
premier's offer and Mr.. De Valeras
reply, arrangements were going for
ward for the cessation of hostilities
from Monday noon.
The king of England has been
leading figure in the developments up
TO the present, while General SHUTS,
the South African premier, has acted
as the pivot on which the peace move
ment has turned. There is hope in
London, and in Dublin, too, that peace
must come out of the forces which are
now engaged in seeking a settlement.
Events moved swiftly today both In
London and Dublin. Not only has Mr..
DeValera, contrary to the general ex-
pcctation, consented to come to Lon
don TO discuss with Mr.. Lloyd George
the basis on which settlement of the
Irish question might be reached by the
prime minister's proposed London con-
ference, but a truce has been arranged
to begin at noon Monday.
This has given reasonable assurance
that the original conference to which
the prime minister invited the Irish
republican leader and Sir James Craig
the Ulster premier, viii be held.
The day started hopefully with the
king summoning the Ulster premier to
4 conference at Buckingham palace.
This following upon the Kings con-
ference yesterday with General Jan
Christian Smuts, the South African
premier, is an indication OF the intense
interest the king is taking in the Irish
problem. and, although under the ira
ditions of the British constitution, the
king has no real voice in the direction
81 government affairs, that does not
prevent his exercising great influence
In the policy of the country.
General Smuts is going to Chequers
Court to spend the Weekend together
with the other premiers of the over
seas dominions, with Mr.. Lloyd George.
General Smuts evidently is the influ-
enco in the negotiations, perhaps
something more than mere influence,
for. lacking his active aid, ii Is hardly
conceivable that events could have
progressed so rapidly as they did to-
day. and the fact that the prime min
lister has not stood upon the dignity
Of his office but seemingly is willing
20 discuss with De Valera the basis
fa- a general conference is considered
full OF hopefulness.
The principal events of this I'M
portant day, however, occurred not In
London, but in Dublin, and the most
striking was the sensational appear
ance of General Sir Neville Mac
Cready. the military commander in
ireland, at the conference Of Eamonn
dc Valera and leading southern union
lists. after his aide de camp had been
sent in advance, presumably to as
certain whether his participation
would be agreeable.
General MacCready's appearance
and long stay at the conference clear
ly had to do with Mr.. Lloyd Georges $
letter to Sarl Middleton, one of the
conferees in which the prime minister
said:
'sThe government fully realizes 1t
would be impossible to conduct nego-
tiations with any hope Of achieving
satisfactory results IL there Is blood
fcentinued On Page Two.)