Evening star., 1921-07-16
|UESTER|TEPARLEY
| MAY DECIDE FATE
OF PEACE PLANS
Sir James Craig, After Talk
With Premier, Awaits Word
With His Cabinet Members.
SECRECY NOW SHR0UDS
| >STATUS OF SITUATION
All Officials Careful to Avoid Com
ment Which May Lead to Unfor-
tunate Misinterpretation.

LONDON, July 16,-What Is hapen-
ing behind the scenes in the consulta-
tions Of the Irish parties preliminary
to the renewal of the conversations
between Eamon de Valera and Pre-
mier Lloyd George on Monday is
screened by what Sir James Craig. the
Ulster premier. termed this morning
"a rigid silence"
Sir James used this phrase in ex-
planning to interviewers his belief
that everything depended upon the
way the question was handled.
The slightest indiscretion or mis-.
interpretation" he said. may easily
cause fncalcuable harm. What wifi
best aid the attainment Of peace is
for every one concerned to withhold
comment outside Of official consulta-
tions"
Principals Rest.
OF the principals in the conference.
Mr.. Lloyd George is spending the
weekend at his country. home, at
Cheauers Court. where members Of
the cabinet probably will be called to
assist him in his re-survey Of the
delicate position. while Mr.. de Valera
and his colleagues went this afternoon
to view the exhibition here of Sir
John Lavery's paintings which include
pictures Of the trial Of Sir Roger
cession In London of Lord Mayor Mac
Swiney Of Cork. and portrait Of
Archbishop Mannix Of Australia.
Sir James Craig was awaiting the
arrival in London Of three members
Of the Ulster cabinet-H. NJ. Pollock
minister of agriculture, and U. M. An
drews. minister of labor-whom he
summoned from Belfast yesterday for
conferences here which. are expected
to be held this evening.
Secrecy Pledged.
On the deliberations of the Ulster
premier and his colleagues is believed
to rest the immediate hope for the un-
embarrassed continuance Of the Down
Is possible Sir James will join Mon
day, although such q visit to the
prime ministers Official residence
would merely b. for . second per-
'crs Tsa vs,s1s with sssddIs MI h0ya
bombarded this notning with, re-
quests for comment on various pub
lished reports as to terms, concrete
proposals and decisions alleged Sto
have been made during the talks on,
the peace question already held. but
to all inquiries the, ofde,al rejoinder
was: -~4:
1--WE are pledged to secrecy. These
are pure fabrications. out OF
the minds of their writer's, and are
wholly unwarranted."
1t would appear that the discussions
between Mr.. Lloyd George and Mr..
De Valera have developed the sub
ject Of future tri-partite conference
between the Irish republicans, repre-
sentatfYes of Ulster and the British
government sufficiently for the prime
minister to lay before Sir James
Craig. premier Of Ulster. definite
propositions. Sir James was closeted
with Mr.. Lloyd George yesterday
after Mr.. de Valera had left Downing
street.
No Deadlock Indicated.
There was no suggestion that the
brevity Of yesterdays conversation
between the prime minister and Mr..
de Valera indicated they had reached
a deadlock, nor was, the postponement
of the conference until Monday
looked upon as 81 significant Of danger
to the future of the negotiations. In
fact, there seemed last night to be a
relaxation of the tension which pre-
vailed on Thursday and Friday. and
the impression gained was that. while
the situation had lost none of its
delicacy, some progress had been
made.