The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1921-07-08
BRIT|SH-|RISH
PEACE PARLEY
Lloyd George Must Guarantee
Safe Conduct for Anyone Sim
Fein Leader Takes Along.
SETTLEMENT BASIS HINTED
Smuts Took Initiative Which Led to
New and -"FinaW Cancellation Of
fer-king Also Helped Force
Premier to Yield Points.

London-Premier Lloyd Georges
invitation to a conference addressed
to Eamonn De Valera Ind Sir James
Craig has caused a profound commo-
tion in political circles. 1t was gener-
ally expected that the Dominion pre-
miers would make an effort toward
concilfation while here and General
Jan Christian SHUTS took the initia-
tive which led to this remarkable de-
velopment.
But there were other influences at
work-political, national, even royal.
1t is rumored in the best Informed
circles that King George consented to
go to Belfast only upon the pledge thai
conference free from conditions
would be called to attempt concilia-
ton.
This was at first opposed by certain
led by Arthur Balfour and Austen
Chamberlain, who had the support of
Sir Hamar Greenwood, while Premier
Lloyd George remained neutral.
But the opposition gradually weak
ened in the face Of the alternative of
putting a Crown Colony Government,
carried out by military measures, into
operation without making arothe- eff
fort for a peaceful settlement, and
when the dominion premiers strongly
supported the conference proposal the
Ministerial opponents gave way and
the premier's letter was drafted.
The declaration of the Unfollst
peers nominated by Dublin Castle to
form a Southern Senate that they re-
served to themselves complete free
dom Of action in regard to the Parti-
ton Act, and that they would in no
circumstances participate in a Crown
Colony Government for the Southern
provinces; also created situation
which the British cabinet could not
ignore. That declaration played an
important part in bringing about the
present position. King George is be-
lieved to have been actuated in his
stand for conference by advice ten
dered him by some Of these peers,
whose loyalty had never been ques-
toned.
Of course 1t would be idle to deny
that the success of the Sim Fein cam
paign, which Lord Chancellor Birken-
head admitted in the House of Lords,
and the terrific strain on the already
oYerburdened military and financial re-
sources of Britain that repetition In
Ireland of the measures Of repression,
taken unsuccessfully against the Beers,
would involve, were also present in the
minds OF the government. But what
ever the influences at work, it cannot
be denied that If the scheme outlined
in the premier's letter is honestly car
ried out it marks an epoch in the his
tory Of Anglo-Irish relations and con-
stitutes an opportunity for a final set
tlement never hitherto presented.
1t has all along been apparent that
If the British government offered
dominion status to Ireland, and If the
Sim Fein refused it would be at the
certain risk of wholly losing dominion
sympathy and of reducing American
support to handful of extremists.
But, on the other hand, when Sim
Fein looks back over Premier Lloyd
Georges record IN the negotiations for
an Irish settlement it's leaders will be
only human 10 demand guarantees that
what is agreed upon shall be carried
into effect without modification 0" eva
sion. 1t is believed that if De Valera
accepts the invitation he will demand
that at least General SHUTS be joined
in the conference. In short, the dis
trust of Premier Lloyd George is con-
sidered the weakest point in the whole
scheme.
AS to the British, public opjufon
would welcome a settlement on the
dominion status for Ireland.
President De Valera is likely to ac-
cept Premier Lloyd Georges invitation
to come to London for a conference
according to information supplied to
Universal Service in Dublin from Sim
Fein circles. De Valera's friends are
advising him to go.