Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-27
De VALERA likely
TO meet premier
Irish Leader May Demand Safe
Conduct for Collins and
Mulcahy
CHANGE IN BRITISH POLICY


London, June q. - Belief that
Eamon de Valera will accept Premier
Lloyd Georges invitation to come tc
London for conference with the Gov
ernment and Premier Craig, Of Ulster,
designed to bring about settlement Of
the Irish problem. is expected In the
majority Of reports reaching this city
from Dublin.
All reports agree that Lloyd Georges
invitation caused profound sensation
in Dublin and that the question whether
De Valera would accept was the sub
ject Of universal speculation.
II De Valera accepts, the coming
week In London may well be one OF the
most momentous in a century OF British
history. With the miners and their
employers called to confer today, with
hope for the settlement OF the irish
question presented and with the Anglo
Japanese alliance under consideration,
No. 10 Downing street is big with pos
sibilities.
Sources predicting that De Valera
will accept are generally agreed that nc
probably will attach sharp conditions
to his acceptance, one being that more
binding guarantees than were contained
in Lloyd Georges letter must be given
regarding the safe conduct of colleagues
whom De Valera may wish to have oc-
company him.
This applies especially to Michael
Collins, former commander in chief OF
the Irish Republican Army, and Richard
Mulcahy, who frequently has been re-
ferred to in England as an organizer
of assassinations.
1t Is stated In some quarters that
De Valera would not 30 to London
without these two men, while 1t also
was predicted that he would insist upon
release of other men now interned or
imprisoned in order that they might
accompany him. 1t was pointed out
that the wording of the Premier's letter
would make it impossible for him to re-
fuse such a demand.
This was considered significant
change in the attitude of the British
Premier, who earlier in the year had
excepted certain Sim Feiners from
those whom he would be willing to re +.
ceive as negotiators. The men excepted
had been denounceS IN the House OF
Commons as murderers.
In the event that De Valera refuses
the Premier's invitation. II is gener-
ally believed the Government will make
energetic preparations for campaign
to suppress Sim Fein activities in the
west and south. Troops which could
be used for this purpose are constantly
arriving in Ireland.
In some sources It is predicted that
the services of British soldiers may
be needed even il De Valera consents
to negotiate. as 1t is held that he will
be unable to stop the activities OF
Sim Fein rifiemen without British help.
Moderate Sim Feiners are represented
as being extremely anxious that De
Valera accept.
Belfast, June 27.-(By A. PIN a
message telegraphed here from Paris,
where he is acting for Irish Republican
interests, Sean O'Ceallaigh, member Of
the Irish Republican Parliament. says
"Mr. Lloyd Georges invitation to
explore the possibilities Of settlement.
II Independence is not excluded, will un-
doubtedly receive the earnest consider
alton of President De Valera and the
Irish Cabinet
The Unionist newspaper Northern
Whig takes exception to Premier Lloyd
Georges attempt ito draw Ulster into
a conference with the Sim Fein," de-
claring Lloyd George is not treating
Sir James Craig, the Ulster premier,
fairly in asking him to meet with De
Valera.
The Nationalist Irish News says that
the idea of the conference did not occur
to Lloyd George and his colleagues until
"they had made King George the agent
and instrument Of their policy of de-
struction In Ireland"
After pointing out that full fiscal
freedom must be the basis Of negotia
tions, the paper says ''it remains to be
seen whether Lloyd George is acting
because of spasmodic pang of honesty
or is merely developing another stra >
tegic maneuver for putting FIVE sixths OF
the Irish nation in wrong before the
eyes of the world"
A police sergeant and a constable
were shot dead today when police
patrol was ambushed in Milltown,
County Galway.
Yesterday police patrol was am
bushed near Ballycastle, County Mayo.
The police took to cover and a fight en- :
sued. Five armed attackers, three OF
whom were officers of the Irish republi-
can army, were captured and another
killed. There were no police casualties.
Arms, ammunition and important docu-
ments we're captured by the police.
HphINIMH phpcOMv DIIDICD