The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-06
British Leaders Try to Obtain
Armistice in Ireland.
Sim Fein Drag Five From Beds
to Their Death.
SHUTS REPORTS PROGRESS
Conference at Dublin Big Step
Toward Final Agreement.
Declares Irish Leaders Have
Adopted ConciIiatory Stand.

Dublin, July 6.-The tactic truce
between the Irish republicans and the
British crown forces was broken near
Newry today when five men were shot
to death.
The victims were dragged from
their beds by armed masked men and
killed near their homes.
Newry is near Belfast. There has
been no formal armistice but it was
understood that both sides would vol
unfairly. refrain from hostilities pend
ing the outcome of the present peace
negotiations.
Soldiers here are searching pedes-
trians believed likely to be carrying
concealed arms. A police patrol was
ambushed last night in Camelina,
county Wexford, by men with bombs
and rifles. During fifteen hour battle
which ensued. four constables were
wounded.
Other ambushes occurred in Corro-
fin, county Clare. and Thomastown,
county Kilkenny, without casualties.
Try for an Armistice.
London, July 6.-British officials
working out the basis of an armistice
in ireland. Following a conference
at Premier Lloyd Georges official
residence in Downing street, when
General Jan Christian Smuts made
report, a communique was issued,
sayingi
The conference was devoted to ef-
forts Of arriving at a modus operandi
whereby hostilities will be suspended"
Premier Lloyd George will make
TYzTr1
situation tomorrow. General SHUTS,
who is acting as mediator, will speak
at the South African dinner tonight.
His speech may deal with Ireland
Leaders in Conference.
General Shuts arrived at $50
O'Clock. He went to hotel for break
fast and shortly afterwards departed
for Premier Lloyd Georges official
residence at 10 Downing street for a
conference.
The conference of the premier and
General SHUTS was Joined by Lord
Middleton, an Irish Unionist, and Sir
James Craig. head of the Ulster gov
ernment.
Sir Horace Plunkett later Joined the
conference. This gave rise to still
further hopes of favorable results
from the conference in view of Sir
Horace's position in Irish affairs.
! The conference was surrounded with
stood in well informed quarters that
it primarily concerned itself with con-
ditions for the possible suspension of
hostil.t:es in ireland.
off ciaI circles express belief that a
cessation of active operations is almost
indispensable as an aid to peace de-
lbe-ations.
The feeling generally was that to-
days conference would have a marked
influence on the conversations to. be
resumed in Dublin Friday between
Eamonn de Valera and southern Irish
un onists.
General Smuts attaches the great
est importance to the proposed Irish
armistice. He is said to have in
formed Premier Lloyd George that
once fighting stopped 'it would take
n lot to start it again"
Resume Parley Friday.
General SHUTS plans to return to
Dublin TO attend the Friday session
of the conference between the Sim
Feiners and Unionists. He is attempt
ing to get Sir James Craig to accom-
pany him.
Lloyd George the limits that Ulster is
prepared to go for Irish peace. Irish
office officials believe a truce can be
arranged by Friday. Officials who
were formerly pessimistic are now
taking a hopeful view of the situation,
General Smuts later attended a
meeting of the subcommittee of the
British imperial conference The
South African statesman spent only
one day in Dublin, but in that time he
held consultations with a number OF
the Sim Fein chieftains.
Sim Fein ConciIiatory.
During his brief sojourn in Dublin,
General Smuts informed the Sim
Feiners how far the British govern
ment would go towards granting self
government to Ireland. The repub-
licans outlined the concessions they
were willing to make to the Unionists
in ireland.
General SHUTS was said to be i'm
pressed by the conciliatory nature OF
the conversations and belief was cur
rent here that his mission will be pro-
ductive of much good and will assist
Premier Lloyd George materially in
his efforts to bring about a peace
parley in London.
1t is possible Premier Massey, OF
New Zealand, may be called into the
peace proceedings. The New Zealand
premier is himself an Ulster man ant
he may confer with Sir James Craig
premier of Ulster, in an effort tc in.
duce the Ulster official to NEE
Eamonn de Valera in conference il
the interests of Irish unity.
Two Policemen Wounded.
Belfast. July 6.-Two policemen
were seriously wounded in an out
break of fighting here today. SIM
Feiners attacked a freight train a
Peneroy. burning sixteen cars.
Chicago Babies Dying Rapidly.
Chicago. July 6.-Chicago babie