The New York herald., 1921-08-14
DOMINION RULE OFFER
REVEALS BREACH NEAR
IN IRISH NEGOTIAT TIONS
British Cabinet Ready to Meet All Demands Save That
of Coercing Ulster-Northern Province
the Stumbling Block.

| 1uctance of the Sim Fein extremists
to compromise.
According to Gen. SHUTS, and to
other accounts of the situation, Ulster
still is the main difficulty. Efforts to
induce Sir James Craig, Ulster Pre-.
mier, to confer with Dublin were frus.
trated by the opposition of Orange
lodges Gen. SHUTS advised Dublin to
accept Mr.. Lloyd Georges offer of com.
plete dominion autonomy for the
twenty-six counties, which he calls a
freedom as great as, although differ
ent from the republicanism of the
extreme Sim Fefn. The situation
thus assumes the familiar phase in
which England Is willing to grant all
Ireland wanted few years ago, but
Ireland is unwilling to accept so lit.
tie.
De VaIera's SIX Demands.
According to one account of De
Valera's letter to Lloyd George. he
claims six points:
First-The cutting off of Ulster, as
well as the South, from representation
in the Westminster Parliament
Second - Recognition in the Irish
Legislature of the numerical prepon-
derance of the South and eliminating
the six county veto.
Third-A demand that England pay
Indemnity for the war" carried on in
Ireland during the last few months
with killings and burnings.
Fourth-The unconditional release
of all of the 5000 odd political pris-
oners.
F'ifth-The withdrawal of the Crown
forces from Ireland. leaving the Sim
Fein to organize it's own forces to
maintain order.
Sixth-Save only nominal recogni-
ton of the Crown, the Sim Fein re-
news its demand for independence"
with demands for international guar
antees OF Ireland's integrity and neu-
trality, instead Of guarantees from the
domin,ons. as Gen. SHUTS suggests.
Ulster the Real Problem.
The hope In this situation Is that the
negotia tions have not yet been broken.
II would be silly to blind oneself to
the difficulties presented. however. The
statement that the negotiations had not
been broken was made after a two hour
| meeting OF the Cabinet to-day which, II
is understood, framed an answer to De
Valera.
The terms of that answer are not yet
available. but those who have followed
the negotiations throughout believe the
answer extends hope OF reaching an
agreement on all questions except the
first. involving coercion Of Ulster. That
is what Mr.. Lloyd George has insisted
all along he Will not do.
! 1t Is believed that De Valera has
made genuine efforts to get Ulster to
negotiate direct and that Sir James
Craig and other leaders in Belfast are
willing. but that the rank and file OF
! their followers would not permit II.
De Valera's suggestions are recognized
| here as q possible way out by offering
something upon which final discussion
| might vet result in an agreement. Hence
| hope still persists although the negotia-
| tions now have reached the stage where
both sides have come TO grips over the
| age-long Irish problem.
Premier Lloyd George has gone TO the
! country 10 rest over the weekend. The
| Dali Eireann meets Tuesday. The Cab
/ met Council to-day was one OF the
| fullest yet held and considerable excite
ment was manifested in Downing Street
! during and after the meeting. Those
who participated in II refused 10 discuss
| the meeting directly. although several
| insisted on making It plain that nego-
| tiations by no means had yet reached