Evening star., 1921-08-15
Dali Eireann Gathering to
Decide Whether to Back
Rejection of Proposal.
ENGLAND HOPES FOR BEST,
FEARING REOPENED WAR
Sim Feiners Reported Reluctant to
Return to Fighting, But Hold
Out for Independence.
BY the Associated Press.

DUBLIN. August 15.-An informal
meeting of the Irish republican parlia- :
ment was the chief manifestation to-
day of the activity observable in both
Sim Fein and Dublin Castle quarters
as the result of the new turn in the
Irish negotiations following the dis
closures in the correspondence be-
tween Mr.. Lloyd George and Eamonn
de Valera
The meeting was held in the Man
sion House at noon to give the mem
bers, many of whom had never met,
an opportunity to become acquainted
and exchange notes prior to the sum
moned meeting of the parliament
which will be held tomorrow to con-
slider the negotiations.
Some of the members of the dali
cream have been on the run, others
have been fighting with the Irish re-
publican army. and still others were
making their first appearance in Dub
lin since their release from prison or
1nternment camp. They were in all
sorts of attire. but all bore the same
marks of earneStneSS on their faces
Information regarding the negotia-
tions which had not been made public.
Sir John Hurriedly Returns.
Sir John Anderson, undersectary
for Ireland. on whose shoulders rests
the greatest responsibility for the
civil administration in Ireland and
who. therefore. had much to do with
the initiation of the negotiations, hur-
riedly returned today from Scotland.
where he had been on holiday. to
use his influence against a definite
break. He Immediately went into con-
ference with Gen. Sir Nevil Mac
cready. commander of the forces in
Ireland. and other officials. in an ap-
parent effort to Undue them with his
optimi sn-for he is represented as
still believing that there is proba-
bility of the Sim Fein accepting the
governments offer.
The military element, on the other
hand, is not SO optimistic. 1t is cred
tied with fearing that the truce is
nearing an end. This fear on the
part of the soldiers is considered a
great danger. one official pointing out
that a soldier with~a gun who fears
his opponent will not adhere to the
agreement to give forty-eight hours
notice of the ending of the truce
FRIGHT commit acts that would
jeopardize the continuance OF the ne
GOtiations.
May Resume War Reluctantly.
The optimists in the Dublin Castle
hody base their hopes on several fac
tors. The first is that a four-day
session of the republican parliament
has been arranged for. If the repub-
1can cabinet had decided to recon-
terms. they argue. one day would
have been sufficient. whereas if per-
suasion either way were necessary
some days would be required.
Another factor pointed to is that many
of the fighting men on the republican
side have returned to civil employment.
The police declare the evidence they
have gathered indicates these men would
obey orders to return to the neid. Dut
they would do SO reluctantly. The votes
of such men. the optimists figure. would
almost certainly be for a settlement if a
J lebiscite were taken, and these castle
officials believe the republican cabinet
will propose a referendum.
: Again, there is the attitude Of the
press supporters of the Sim Fein. whose
least a suggestion that the prime mini
ister-s terms, with the addition of the
pledge of the support of the dominions.
given by Gen. SHUTS in his letter to
Mr.. De vale IA. should be accepted. While
line effect of the Smuts letter in the
slominions and the United States is also
believed likely to have an influence
upon Mr.. De Valera and his supporters.
Pessimi~ts FOresee War.
The pessimists among the officials,
meanwhile. indicate their belief that the
resumption of war is at hand. that the
DAN cream Will HeFeiS REPEAT MI LIE
Nalera's letter in its reply to the British
premier, and that, the backs of the
Ilsterites and their supporters in the
cabinet having been stiffened by the
terms of the republican leaders letter,
Mr.. Lloyd George would place his gov
ernment in danger by going any farther
toward meeting the Sim Fein claims
In the streets of Dublin today, such
expressions as. 1.-The truce ends Tues
day night" are being heard on the
lips of some of the apparently lighter
minded. while the serious business
and professional men are anXiOusly
discussing the prospects.
Surprise is expressed in some quar-
ters that MIR. De Valera did not ask
the British government for general
amnesty, which is live question for
the moment. one of the newspapers
having caused the posting of pla-
cards throughout the city bearing
the slogan. Release for all"
The people of Ireland. who have
enjoyed a month of peace. found it
hard today to believe that negotia-
tions between Eamonn De Valera and
Prime Minister Lloyd George were at
The breaking point. They were plac-
ing their hopes in the Irish republi-
can parliament. which will meet to-
morrow to consider the whole .cOrre-
spondence and frame a reply to the
prime minister's latest letter.
ENGLAND FACES CRISIS.