Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-09
KING SUMMONS ULSTER ;
 PREMIER TO CONFERENCE

London. July (By the A P).- London and Dublin. Not only has MT. De Valera, contrary to the general ex- pectation. consented to come to London 70 discuss with Mir. Lloyd George the basis on which a settlement of the Irish question might be reached by the prime minister's proposed London conference, but 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 republi- can leader and Sir James Craig the Ul- ster premier. will be held.
 The day started hopefully with the king summoning the Ulster premier to a conference at Buckingham Palace. This, following upon the kings conference yes terday with General Jan Christian shuts. the South African premier is an indication of the intense interest the king is taking in the Irish problem, and, al- though under the traditions of the Brit ish constitution the king has no real voice in the direction of government af- fairs, that does not prevent his exercising great influence in the policy of the country.
 General Shuts Is going to Chequers Court 10 spend the week end, together with the other premiers of the overseas
 
 eral Smuts evidently Is the influence in the negotiations, perhaps something more than mere influence. for. lacking his ac- tive aid. it is hardly conceivable that events could have DrOgresse z so quickly as they did today, and the IAct that the prime minister has not stood upon the dignity of his office, but seemingly is willing to discuss with Mir. De Valera the basis for a general conference, is consid- cred full of hopefulness.
 The principal events of this important day however, occurred not in London but In Dublin, and the most striking was the sensational appearance of General Sir Nevil Medically. the military com mander in Ireland, at the conf srence of Eamonn De Valera and leading southern unionists, after his aide-de-camp has Seen sent in advance. presumably to as- certain whether his participation would be agreeable.
 General MacReady's appearance and long stay at the conference clearly had 70 do with Mir. Lloyd Georges letter to Earl Middleton, one of the conferees, in which the prime minister declared that it would be impossible to conduct negotia- tions with any hope of achieving satis- factory results if violence in Ireland con- tinued. and also that the British govern ment would give instructions to the
 
 erations the moment Mir. De Valera de- clared his intention to enter into a con ference with the British government and to order the cessation of all acts of vio. lence by those under his control.
 General MacReadys presence at the conference has additional significance be. cause it has been stated that the "rniii- isrist party" in Ireland has been strong. iv opposing peace negotiations and any idea of a truce.
 No report of the proceedings of Mir D, Valers's conference with the southern unionists has yet been issued. but it is believed that the principal topic dis cussed was a truce and that Eamonr DugEan a Sim Feiner member of par. iiament who was released from Mount Joy prison only few days ago, acted a, Intermediary between the conference and the Sim Fein leaders.
 Opinion still inclines to the idea thai General Shuts, owing to the important part he has taken in the preliminary ne Eotiations, will be the hrgt chairman of the London conference, even If Mfr. Lloyd George presides during the later stages as would be almost Inevitable if consti. tutional questions were under discussion
 Another matter that has, been widely disclassed today, arising out of the visi Of the secretary for war Sir Lamins vvorthington Evans. to the king yester day. vas the possibility that the military evacuation of Ireland is under consid rration This, it is recalled, has been ad voeated by many prominent statesmen Including viseount Grey. former secre tary for foreign affairs. In view of Gen sraI MaeReady's attendance at the Dub lin conference it Is believed not impossi bls that such development Is actually un der adviBement.