New-York tribune., 1921-11-10
Ulster Cabinet
VotesRejection
OF Irish Union
Approves the ssFirm Stand''
of Craig in Opposing
the British Proposals for
an All Erin Assembly
Crisis Will Come To-day
Lloyd George to Go Before
Board; Will Call Elec-
ton if He Loses His Case
By Arthur S. Draper
From The Tribune,s Euronen,, R,,x.,

Copyright. 1921 New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Nov. 9.-The possibility
that Premier Lloyd George would re-
sign within two weeks arose here to-
day as the Ulster Cabinet met and
after a three-hour session approved
unanimously the "frm stand" of S;s
James Craig, the Ulster Premier, in
opposing Lloyd Georges proposal that
Ulster agree to united Ireland, with
an all-1reland Assembly, in which Sim
Feiners and Ulstermen would have
full representation. Andrew Bonar
Law SUPPORTS the position of the
Ulster Cabinet.
1t Ulster refuses finally to accent
the agreement reached between the
government and the southern Irish
leaders Lloyd George is expected to
confidence from the country through a
general election.
Crisis Comes To-day
Tomorrow is the critical day, for
the Premier will meet the Ulster
leaders in conference and try to OBJ
tain settlement with them. From
whatever angle the situation is viewed
this evening it seems grave.
The "die-hard" Unionists in Parlia-
ment are elated over the attitude
taken by Bonar Law, and the Ulster
men have been told that if they re-
main adamant they are bound to win.
This group Of revolters believes that
the opportunity has arrived to detach
the Conservative party from the Co.
alition and defeat Lloyd George. The
very fact, however, that the Premier
owes his present position to his skill
as a compromiser and political strate-
gist inclines one to believe that he
has not abandoned hope of reaching
an agreement, or that if he has he
does not fear to risk submitting his
case to the electorate.
There is every indication of wide
split in the Conservatives ranks, with
even prominent leaders holding differ
ent views. Bonar Law, who is deter
mined Scotsman, seems to disagree
completely with the position now taken
by Lloyd George, while Austen Cham
berlain and Lord Birkenhead are in
sympathy with their chief. Apparently
Lloyd George considers his proposals
as the best basis for an Irish settle
ment, while Bonar Law considers them
antagonistic to the policy adopted
while he was leader of the House of
Commons.
The Premier does not consider that
his proposal places Ulster under the
yoke of the Sim Feiners, but rather
that it makes Ireland united member
of the empire.
Two Counties Crux of Dispute
The counties of Tyrone and Fer
managh, with their Catholic majorities
are the crux Of the whole dispute, for
the Ulstermen contend they were con-
ceded as part of Ulster under the Home
Rule act of 1914, the Irish Convention
Of 1917 and the Government Of Ireland
act of 1920
With these circumstances in mind, ii
is not difficult to appreciate the salts
faction of the Sim Fein delegates who
are sitting tight at their headquarters
AS long as Lloyd George maintains his
present position, or even if he calls a
general election, their chances of max
ing good settlement must be regard
ed as excellent.
The Ulster Cabinet members were in
consultation with large number OF
Unionists this afternoon and evening
but so far as could be learned they
were unable to find an alternative plan
which might be substituted for the
government proposal.
The Liberals and the Labor leaders
are strong in their support of Lloyd
George on this issue. If an election is
49,