Evening star., 1921-09-16
NEXT IRISH PEACE
STEP. is AROUSING
INTENSE CONCERN
Continued from First Page.)

a. arg eilcHtS lot tne conference HcAI =
week at Inverness and must consult
my colleagues on the course of action
this new situation necessitates. i
Will communicate this to you as soon
as possible. but as l am for the mo-
inent laid up here a few days delay is
1t absolutely clear that his matesty's 8
government cannot reconsider it's
position. which I have stated to you.
II we accepted a conference with
your delegates on the formal state
ment of the claim which you have re-
fetal recognition by his majesty's
government of the severance Of Ire-
land from the empire and of it's exist
enee as an independent republic"
Hope to Avoid Break.
Surprise and disappointment are ex-
pressed by most of the morning news
papers today over Eamonn De Valera's
reply to Premier Lloyd George. But
hope generally fs expressed that the
wiser counsels will prevail to prevent
a break in the truce and at the same
time give the Irish people a chance
to be consulted as to their wishes.
The London Times thinks sttua-
There can be no question:, says this
newspaper, "of the sincerity of the
governments desire to meet an Irish
settlement; nor Is there reason 10
doubt that they have gone to the VI,
most limit which this country would
sanction"
The Times adds that Mr.. Lloyd
Georges action in the circumstan
is not lightly to be questioned. II ex-
presses the hope that dark thougn
the outlook be, 1t is not even now
necessary to despair. '-
Blame Pat ON De Valera
The Daily Telegraph expresses dis
appointment over Mr.. de valera's let
ter, "for there seemed to be chance
that the point had been reached at
which Mr.. de Valera and those acting
with him would find 1t advisable to
come down to earth with realities
Belief. Is expressed by the Daily
it's attitude on the results Of the
past, Irish election. by which the ma.
ton saeclared its Independence; nut ~
asserts that a change in the min9
of the electorate has occurred ana
the Irish people now are ready to
surrender their demand for an inde-
pendent republic. but that de Valera
and his associates are unable TO drop
their independence policy without IN
volvipg themselves In contempt anu
ridicule.
Empire Behiad Premier.
The Daily Chronicle says Mr.. Lloyd
George had the empire behind him IN
the making Of his offer to the Sim
Fein to confer within the circle OF
the empire, and that he Will nave II
no less in his reply to calling on the
proposed conference. The newspaper
eireann threaten to bring the truce
to an end and cast the country PACK
into the throes of hateful connlct,
but it wonders IL the Irish people VIII
remain passive and acQuiescent while
the cup which they longed for and
IN hai dashed
from their lips by gesture OF IN
fatuation.
The Daily Chronicle asks why the
Sinn Fein leaders do not take plebi-
scite for authority to accept the BRIT
ish offer if their election platform
does not give them this authority.
The Daily Graphic says that Eamo mn
De valera's misguided action" Will
be received by the whole British Isles
with dismay. and believes that 1t Will
cause CONSERVATION in Ireland.
Ireland Land u Surprises.
ireland is a land of surprises. con-
tinues the Graphic, land we may yet
hope that De Valera and his col
leagues will have sense enough to
see that their stiffed-neck attitude to-
ward the British government Is con-
demned by the whole world outside
of Sim Fein ireland and is the road
to utter ruin"
The Daily Express questions whether
Mr.. De Valera in his letter to the
premier has spoken the mind Of the
Irish people. 1T is our belief. the
newspaper declares 'if Irishmen were
free to express their views Great Brit
aims offer would not be rejected. That
offer is still OPEN.
The Manchester Guardian says the
important thing to recognize is that
a "breakdown, and not a breakoff."
has occurred in the Irish RegOtia-
tions.