New-York tribune., 1921-11-09
Lloyd George
Ready to Quit
IL Ulster Balks
With Half Of Battle Won and
Sim Fein Satisfied, New
Crisis Comes To-day in
Farley With Craig Cabinet
BY Arthur S. Draper
From The Trib.ne's Europsan Bureau

From, The Tribane's Europeam Bureau
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Nov. 8.--Another crisis in
the complicated series OF negotiations
intended. to settle the Irish problem
will come tomorrow Meanwhile the
situation is regarded as so serious that
Lloyd George again is reported to be
considering the question of resigning
and calling general election. AL
though this may be an exaggeration
of the true state Of affairs which has
arisen over the obduracy of Ulster, the
government situation ia so perpiexing
that the Premier has not attempted to
make any plans regarding his journey
to the Washington conference
Sir James Craig, the Ulster Premier,
has summoned his Cabinet ministers
to meet Lloyd George and two leading
Unionists in the Commons. This tri-
angular conference would not have been
arranged unless profoundly important
questions of policy had arisen.
Agreement With Sim Fein
The only optimistic center at present
is the Sim Fein Headquarters. There
is no mistaking the satisfaction with
which the Sim Fein delegates regard
the outlook. The Sim Feiners have
reached some sort of an agreement
with the government and it now re-
mains For the Premier to bring the
Ulstermea into line. Lloyd George has
won half the battle and complete VIC
tory will be his if t:lc Ulstermen
capitulate-
Ulster regards the proposals as a
serious threat against northern Irish
rights that are guaranteed under the
constitution, but it is difficult to see
how the proposed agreement can be
rejected outright
Much has been made by the London
press of Lloyd Georges determination
to appeal to the electorate if the
ulstermen adopt policy of obstruc-
ton. The fact that nobody is keenly
one confidence to venture the forecast
that the Irish crisis will pass without
a political upheaval.
The fact that neither side relished
the idea of renewing hostilities in Ire
land brought the Sim Feiners and the
government into provisional agree
ment But the Ulster leaders are de-
scribed as determined to resist any
compromise. On the other hand Bel
fast business men have reported in
favor of making concessions in the in
teTest of a general settlement.
prominent Irish editor, whose
friends are found among all parties in
Ireland, predicts that there is every
reason to anticipate a general settle
ment within a reasonably short Pc
riod. For trade reasons the north and
south are anxious to come to- an un-
derstanding.
LONDON, Nov. 8 By The Associated
Press ).-Unoficial reports were cur
rent to-day that IN the event that
Thursdays conference between the Pre-
mier and the Ulsterites shows the i'm
possibility of an agreement being
reached with Ulster, the Premier will
make "a grave and important announce
ment' to the House of Commons. This
is commonly interpreted as a threat
that the Premier will resign if Ulster
persists in an unreasonable attitude.
Irish Press Divided
The press of Ireland, however, seems
almost equally divided in optimistic and
pessimistic views.
All parties to the negotiations were
busy to-day in informal discussion, but
there will be no specific move be re
Thursdays meeting between the Pre-
mier and the members OF the Ulster
Cabinet in London. There is a hope
that Parliament may be prorogued
Thursday. and as Friday is Armistice
Lay IufCnef Olicldl CONVERSATIONS con-
cerning Ireland are likely to be ad-
journed until Monday.
In addition to having informal talks
to-day with Premier Lloyd George and
Foreign Secretary Curzon. Sir James
Craig was busy consulting with infuen-
tial Parliamentary leaders, seeking
their support for the Ulster viewpoint
in the Irish controversy.
Mr.. Lloyd George presided over Cab
met council tonight, at which it is
understood the terms of the Kings
speech proroguing Parliament we're dis
cusscd. The speech IS expected to deal
mainly with Irish affairs