The evening world., 1921-11-25
CRAIG MEETS LLOYD GEORGE
AND STATEMENT IS DRAWN Up.
AS BREAK APPEARS IMMINENT.
inn Fein Said to Be Firm in
Decision Not to Swear
Allegiance.
.REACH CRITICAL STAGE.
Delegates Leave for Ireland to
Lay Developments Before
Chiefs.

LONDON, Nov 25 ASSOCIATED
Press). Prime Minister Lloyd
George and Premier Craig of Ulster
met this morning in q conference
which, according to the view held in
oficial circles, marks one of the final
stages Of the Irish negotiations. con-
eeded to-day to be verging on a
break.
II is understood that a statement
agreed upon between the two Pre-
miers has been drawn up. This state
ment, the understanding is. will be
read by the Ulster Premier in the
Parliament OF Northern Ireland next
Tuesday and issued simultaneously
In London.
AS the premiers went into confer
= ence, 1t was admitted officially that
the Irish peace negotiations had
reached a grave and critical stage"
A prominent member of the Sim
Fein bore this out.
''The situation is too serious for
talk" he said. "Arthur Griffith, Mi
chael Collins and George Duffy (the
Sim FeTi delcgates) have gone to Dub
49, to take council with Mr.. De Val
era and the Dali Eireann Cabinet, and
to receive instruction as to the attitude
they are 10 adopt. They will return
to London on Saturday night to meet
Mr. Lloyd George after he has received
Sir James Craig's reply"
At to-day's interview, Mr.. L.uyf
George was unable to give Ulster ua-
surance that, even II she agreed to
hts proposal, the Sim Fein would
admit the. point OF allegiance TO the
King as King of Ireland. Such ad-
mission has been refused by the Ddl
EIreann representatives, who are do
clared to view Ireland's position solely
as that of an Independent state
which, however, might make treaties
with the other states ~ the Brush
Empire and possibly even acknowl-
edge the King as the president OF Il
federation OF free states.
This is nothing like the settlement
plan the British Government had in
mind, and Il appears that If the Sim
Fein maintains its attitude the nego-
tiations must be broken Off with the
resumption Of warfare an immediate
possibility.
The interview between the Ulster
Premier and Nj. Lloyd, George to-
day lasted an horr. Sir James said
upon leaving that lie did not know
whether there would be another con-
ference this afternoon, but that he
was going to Belfast tonight.
An effort is being made by the mod
~A.,te element in ireland to induce the
SIM Fc!n to modify its views. 1t is
understood, bu. so far without erect.
II was learned later that Arthur
Griffith would not leave on his trip
10 Dublin until tonight. AS he is the
Foreign Minister in the Dali Eireann
Cabinet, with no local Irish duties, his
visit to Ireland is believed to be due
solely to desire to consult Eamon De
Valera before the possible final break
Up.
The Ulster members of the Imperial
Government who resigned because OF
the differences between the Govern
mcnt and Ulster have been continuing
their duties ut the Governments re-
dncst, and it Is not expected ;hal Ill
the event Of the failure OF the neso.
tiations acceptance OF their rcsigaa-
lions will be necessary, as would have
Ken the case If Il break came over
Ulster's position alone,
fDUBLIN, Nov. 2j.-Thc Dali Eir@'
ann Cabinet met herr tIis afternoon
b. hes- the report of nc proceedings
fei TIC Irish conference in London
which was brough: u Dublin by the
hR,un Fsln delega:e5 Eamon DC
AsEA pENAla4as
'.--9