The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-22
MEET IN SECRET
Dali Eireann at Work on Re-
ply to Lloyd George.
Meeting Delayed by Valera and
Collins Conference.
MAY ASK PREMIER TO EXPLAIN
DissensiOn Exists in Irish Par
lament, Is Report.
British Opinion Unanimous
That Offer Be Last.
MAY ASK PREMIER TO EXPLAIN

Dublin, Aug. 22.-The Dali Eireann
went into secret executive session at
noon today after delay of an hour
occasioned by a long private confer
ence between Eamonn de Valera and
Michael Collins. chief
of Irish Republican army.
The public meetings last week and
subsequent conferences between Ea
monn de Valera and his colleagues
were believed to have laid the ground
for an early reply. The presence of
Harry J. Boland, who represented Mr.
de Valera in the United States after
the Sim Fein chieftain had returned
to Ireland, was considered important
as it was believed he would submit to
the parliament a report outlining the
state of public opinion on the other
side of the Atlantic.
1t had been understood since the
initial meeting of the parliament that
a decision might be delayed until Mr.
Boland reached this city and his ar
rival yesterday was looked upon as
significant. There have been indica-
tions that certain amount of dis
sension existed in the rank and file
of the parliament over the attitude to
be taken toward the British offer of
dominion status for ireland, and it
appeared probable today that many
members would speak on the question
before final decision was reached.
Want Premier to Explain.
Press comments by Dublin newspa-
pers would seem to reflect a desire on
the part of Sim eFein not to utterly
reject the British offer but rather to
obtain from Prime Minister Lloyd
George a statement giving details of
the government offer. Objections
have been made that ireland, because
of her geographical position. would
not be given the same sort of domin-
ion hot se
Canada or Australia and it has been
held that the prime minister should
define his exact position in this re-
spect. Organs of the unionists have
been urging acceptance of the govern
ment proposals or at least the submits
sion of them to plebiscite in south
ern Ireland. .-,..-.
The attitude of Ulster, up to today.
had apparently been unrelenting so
far as making common cause with the
Sim Fein in attempting to reach a
settlement with Great Britain was
concerned. Il seemed the decision of
Sir James Craig to stand aIoof during
negotiations between Dublin and
London had not been reconsidered.
The weekend passed quietly in this
city but it was marred in Belfast by
the explosion of a bomb. -
Long before IL O'Clock, when the
parliament was to meet. crowds gath
cred outside the Mansion house to
cheer the republican leaders, partic-
ularly Mr.. Boland and Miss Mary
MacSwiney, both of whom arrived
from the United States yesterday
British Opinion Unanimous.
London, Aug 22.-With Dali Fire
ann scheduled to hold an important
secret executive session at Dublin to-
day, the London morning papers en-
phasized the far-rea ching Importance
Of the decision upon the English peace
proposals and displayed an unbroken
front in declaring that the offer was
the limit of British concessions.
The Daily Chronicle hinted that
Premier Lloyd George might set a
time limit for the Sim Feins' accept
ance of the principle of the British Of
fer if the Sim Fein rejects the propo-
sails in their original form.
The Daily Telegraph pointed out
that this was the first time in the his
tory of the country that the nation
was unanimously behind the govern
ment's Irish policy.
Despite the unfavorable develop
ments. the belief persists in many
closed to peace negotiations and that
the parleys will continue.
The first violence in Ireland in sew
eral weeks was reported from Belfast.
where a bomb was thrown in the
Catholic quarter of the city. wounding
six persons, one perhaps fatally.
Craig Denies Negotiations.
Belfast, Aug. 22.-Sir James Craig,
premier of the Unionist government of
Ulster, arrived here today to preside
at a meeting of the cabinet today when
the peace situation will be discussed.
He denied he had renewed his negotia-
tions with Eamonn de Valera.
A resolution protesting against the
partition of Ireland has been drawn
I'm for naturalization in tho Tnndnn-
derry council later in the week.