New-York tribune., 1921-09-20
Basis of Accommodation
and Association Of
fered, So Nations May
Settle Down i'm Peace
Pacts Also With
Dominions Asked
Ireland Is Ready for Con-
ference ssFree ON Both
Sides,'' He Declares in
New Note to Premier

LNSV WIZ w -
LONDON, Sept. 10 (By The Asso-
ciated Press) s).-Eamon de Valera, in
still another telegraphic note to-day
to Premier Lloyd George. made the
first concrete proposal looking to-
ward an Irish settlement since his
refusal early in August Of the Brit
ish governments dominion home
rule offer.
The Irish leader suggests, as
means to "end the dispute forever
and enable the two nations to settle
down in peace" that treaty of &C
commodation and association" be
concluded between the peoples OF
Ireland and Great Britain and be-
tween Ireland and the various Brit
ish dominions.
Under this treaty, according tc
the plan Of Sim Fem, each would
pursue its own individual develop
ment, but they would work together
"in free and friendly cooperation IL
affairs of agreed common concern"
Follows Cabinet Council
The telegram. which followed
conference of the Irish cabinet,
added another chapter to the con
troversy which began Friday over
De Valera's insistence on the inde-
pendence of Ireland, which led to
the break in negotiations. In add
tion to the treaty suggestion, the
new message declared that Sim
Fem had had no thought at any time
of asking FOR the acceptance of any
conditions precedent to conference
1t requested the Premier to say
whether his letter of September :
was intended to be demand for sur
render or an invitation to a confer
ence "free on both sides and with
out prejudice should an agreement
not be reached"
In the latter case, De Valera stated,
he would confirm The Sim Fein ac-
ceptance of the invitation, and the
Irish delegates would meet the repre-
sentatives Of the government
De yaIera's Latest Telegram
The text Of Mr. De Valsra's TELEGRAM,
follows:
Sir: We have had no thought at
any time of asking you to accept
any conditions precedent 10 a con-
ference. We would have thought il
is as unreasonable to expect YOU, as
"A preliminary to recognize the Irish
republic formally or informally "a
that you should expect US, formally
or informally, to surrender our ma
tional position. 1t Is precisely be-
cause neither side accepts the posi-
ton of the other that there is dis
pute at all and that a conference
is necessary to search for and dis
cuss such adjustments as might
compose it.
"A treaty of accommodation and
association, properly concluded be-
tween the people of these two ISL
ands and between Ireland and the
group of states in the British Com
monwealth, would, we believe, end
the dispute forever and enable the
two nations to settle down in peace,
each pursuing its own individual de-
vclopment and contributing its own
quota to civilization, but working
together in free and friendly CO.
operation in affairs OF agreed COM
mon concern.
"To negotiate such treaty the
respective representatives of the two
nations must meet, but if you seek
to impose preliminary conditions
which we must regard as involving
the surrender of our whole position
they cannot meet
Your last telegram makes il clear
that understanding are more
likely to increase than diminish, and
the cause of peace is more likely 10
be retarded than advanced by the
continuance of the present cor
respondence.
we request you, therefore. 20
state whether your letter Of Septem-
Der is intended to be q demand 4cr
surrender on our part or an invita-
tion 10 conference free on both
sides and without prejudice should
sn agreement not be reached
If the latter we readily confirm our
acceptance of the invitation, and
our appointed delegates viii inees
your governments representatives at
any time in the immediate future
that you designate.
4 am, Sir, yours faithfuilv.
"Dt VALERA"
The nature Of De valera's message
necessitates further exchange os tes
egrams. unless some sort og ultimatus
Is forthcoming.
Handicap Seen in PubkSrify
Many of the London papers na-
commented on the danger Of The "open
diplomacy involved in this public ex-
chance OF messages, which. they point
out, makes i exceedingly difficult for
either side to recede from the position.
adopted.
Premier Lloyd Georges letter of
September WAS the one in which he
asked Mr.. de Valera for q definite re-
ply as to whether ne was ssorepare5
to enter a conference to ascertain how
the association of Ireland with the
community of nations known as the
British Empire can best be reconciIca
with irish national aspirations" To
i airs 6 Eale4a seaiied N the AZ