The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-11-09
LITTLE HOPE
OF PEACE
IN IRELAND
London Newspapers
and Officials Take
Most Gloomy View
of the Situation

London, Nov. 6.-Storm clouds.
in the form of a threatened hiatus
in the Irish peace negotiations. are
looming on the British political
horizon, and whether they break
depends upon the attitude Ulster
adopts toward the parleys now go
ing on between representatives OF
the Sin Fein and the government.
This is the almost unanimous opln-
ion Of the Sunday newspapers, the
editorial writer's of which devote
columns today in attempts to fore
cast the result.
Sir James Craig. the Ulster pre-
mier. held two lengthy conferences
with Prime Minister Lloyd George
Yesterday at the latter's request,
but the premiers are unofficlally re-
ported to have made no advance
toward ,an accommodation of their
respective views The conferences
are supposed to haye dealt with the
proposal to enlarge the constitution
and powers Of the council Of Ire
land limitation of the frontier be-
tween the North and South. pro-
lection Of minorities and other pos
sible bases for settlement which
have been Tentatively agreed upon
by the British and Sim Fein repre-
SentatiVeS.
Not since the end Of 1916 says
the Sunday Times, "has the politi-
cal situation become SO interesting.
so critical, so full Of hope and, at
the same time, SO uncertain and
likely to fly off on unexpected tan
gents.
1--WE may be on the point of set
Ting the Irish problem. On the
other hand, Disappointment. which
is still possible, would not only
leave Ireland in a worse state than
before, but would have far-reach-
ing effects on our own domestic
policies-split the Unionist party
and either take Premier Lloyd
George into temporary retirement
or put him at the head of new
coalition.
The News of the World, which is
credited with enjoying especial IA
vor in Downing Street, says the
Irish conference is at the crossroads
and that. should Lloyd George be
unable to. bring about a settlement
ION cards"-that is, on the basis
of the terms already laid down-he
may resign. The newspaper says it
understands that the premier has
cancelled his arrangements for a
weekend sojourn at Chequers
Court. his country estate, so as to
confer with cabinet members con
cerning a situation of deepening
gravity
The Weekly Dispatch also asks
whether Ulster will take an attitude
which will make peace in Ireland.
1t heralds as two events 'of the
highest interest the reentry into
the political arena of A. Bonar
Law and a meeting hitherto un-
mentioned in the press, of Mr..
Law, Viscount Bel kenhead and Sir
George Younger, Tory party man
ager.
I'VE have thus, says the news
paper, "a full dress conference of
the former leader, prospective lead
er and manager Of the conservative
party"
Recalling that both Mr. Law and
Viscount Birkenhead have pledged
themselves to listers support, the
Weekly Dispatch declares that, if
Ulster refuses what Premier Lloyd
George thinks are reasonable terms,
he may resign and leave the
Tories to face the situation. Should
Ulster prove the stumbling block
to prevent the Irish settlement. and
Mr. Lloyd George resigns without
going to voters on the issue, the
newspaper says, the coalition
would be in obvious danger Of
breaking up. The sequel, it adds.
would be that a Tory premier
would assume the Office, even if
only temporarily.
The Irish issue is even more mo-
nlentous for the empire than the
Washington arms conference, de-
clares the Weekly Observer, which
adds:
Nor can British craftsmanship
give effective mind to the vast
American program until light is
struck through the darkness OF
Irish mystery"
The Observer declares that the
suggested plan to take from Ulster
the counties of Tyrone and Fer
managh must be diSregarded, as it
might easily bring about the re-
lection of allegiance to the empire
by both the North and South of Ire
land.