The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-09-19
Valera Demands Lloyd George
Explain His Note.
Irish Chieftain in Curt Cable
Demands Showdown.
TIGHT DEADLOCK IS REACHED
Change in Status of Peace Dele
gates Now Necessary.
New Outbreak in Belfast
Quieted With Machine Guns.

Dublin. Sept. 19.-Eamonn de Va
lera sent a cablegram to Premier
Lloyd George late today virtually
amounting to a demand for a "show
down" on the British governments
position.
The Sim Fein chieftain asks the
premier in his cable whether Lloyd
George would state II his letter OF
September was a declaration of
war or an invitation to a free con-
ference?"
De Valera also adds to this inquiry
that he never asked that any condi-
tions be stipulated before the con-
ference was held.
Premier Is "Called.''
IF it is the latter ian invitation to
a conference), then we readily con-
firm our acceptance OF your invitation.
Mr.. de Valera's note stated.
Our appointed delegates will meet
your governments representative at
any time within the immediate future
that you may designate.
I'VE request that you, therefore,
state whether your letter of September
q was intended to be a demand for
a surrender on our part or an invita-
tion to a conference freely entered into
by both sides and without prejudices,
should an agreement not be reached.
Your last telegram makes 1t clear
to US that misunderstanding are more
likely to increase than diminish and
that the cause of peace is more likely
to be retarded than advanced by con-
tinuation of our present correspond
ence."
Irish Cabinet Meets.
full session of the Sim Fein
cabinet was held this afternoon to de-
termine whether Eamonn de Valera
should reply to Lloyd Georges note of
Sunday evening. The meeting began
at O'Clock and lasted forty minutes.
1t was said that a public statement
might be issued at $50 p. m.
AS the Sim Fein cabinet members
assembelds it was generally admitted
Ireland is now passing thru the most
critical stage of her political history.
Reversal of the attitude of de Valera
anG the Sim Fein would, Il was de-
Iclared, mean abandonment OF the at
titude the republicans have held for
ism domestic problem between the two
sovereign states.
Say Peace Is Near.
In some circles the opinion was held
that peace was nearer than appeared
on the surface, despite the rapid fire
exchange of apparently unyielding
notes between de Valera and Lloyd
George.
The Daily Express and the Daily
Herald, the organ of the British labor
party, suggested that the time had ar
rived to cut out quibbling and to get
down to realities"
Qualifying conditions before the
conference may become dangerous to
the cause of peace" said the Free
mans Journal of Dublin. Had tho
delegates met long ago we should now
be well on the road to peace"
Valera May Sit Pat.
The opinion prevailed in well in
Eamonn de Valera would not reply
to Premier Lloyd Georges note of
Sunday, but would stand pat upon his
telegram of Saturday night.
In his Saturday night eommunica-
ton, de Valera stated that he had ac-
cepted Premier Lloyd Georges invita-
ton to a peace conference upon the
conditions originally imposed by the
premier
May Call Dali Eferann.
De Valera may call the Dali H-7e4n
into session to deliberate on the situa-
ton brought about by the laterst note
sent to Dublin by Prime Minister
Lloyd George
This communication was received
yesterday at an hour that prevented
the Irish republican cabinet from
considering it before today. Readi-
ness to meet Mr.. de Valera or other
delegates from the Sim Fein lin the
capacity of the chosen spokesmen for
southern ireland" was expressed by
the prime minister, but he refused to
confer with them as Representatives ,
of a sovereign and independent state.
Mr.. Lloyd George pointed out that
when DR.. de Valera went to London
to begin conversations as to basis
for settlement of the irish problem.
he was received as the "chosen leader
of the great majority in southern Ire
land" and that Mr.. de Valera accepted
this designation.
The note of September IL was ap-
proved by a unanimous vote taken py
Dali F,freann. 1t would appear there
fore. that another session of that body
must be called.
Deadlock Still Holds.
London, Sept. 19.-The deadlock tn
the Irish peace situation was un-
broken today. The firm attitude taken
by Premier Lloyd George in his notes
of Saturday and Sunday led to the
CONTINUED on Page Four