Norwich bulletin., 1921-11-07
Craig in Conference With Lloyd George British Press Forecasts Retire ment of Lloyd George Should Uster Prove Unrea- sonable.

London, Nov. 6.-Storm clouds, in the form of a threatened hiatus in the lrlsh peace negotiations, are looming on the British political horizon, and whether they break depends upon the attitude Ul- ster adopts toward the parleys now go- ing on between representatives of the Sim Fein and the government. This is the almost unanimous opinion of the sunday newspapers, the editorial writers or which devote columns today in at temps to forecast the result.
 Sir James Craig, thf Ulster premier held two lengthy conferences with Prime Minister Lloyd George yesterday at the latter's SeGuest, but the premiers are ] unofficially reported to have made no ad- vance toward an accommodation of their respective views. The conferences are supposed to have dealt with the pro- | posal to enlarge the constitution and powers of the council of Ireland, delimit- izatfon of the frontier between the North and South, protection of minorities and other possible bases for settlement which | have been tentatively agreed upon by the British and Sim Fein representatives. | Not since the end of 1916" says the Sunday Times, "has, the political situa- tion been so interesting, so critical. so full of hope, and at the same time so uncertain and liable to fly off on un- | expected tangents.
 | ''We may be on the point of settling the Irish problem. On the dfher hand, disappointment which is still possible. would only leave leland in 8 worse state than before but would have far-reaching
 effects on our own domestic politics =
 split the Unionist party and either take
 premier Lloyd George into temporary re-
 tirement or put him at the head of a T new coalition.''
 The News of the World, which is cred
 ited with enjoying especial favor in
 Downing street, says the Irish conference
 is at the cross roads, and that, should I MT. Lloyd George be unable to bring
 about a settlement Ion cards"-that is
 on the basis of the terms already laid
 down-he may resign. The newspaper
 says 1t understands that the premier ha' cancelled his arrangements for a weel end sojourn at Ceupuers Court, his coun try estate, so as to confer with cabine members "concerning a situation O
 deepening gravity"
 The Weekly Dispatch also ask | whether Ulster will take an attitude which will permit peace in Ireland. I heralds as two events "of the highes
 interests the re-entry into the politica arena of A Bonar Law and a meetinl
 hitherto unmentioned in the press, O
 MT. Law, Viscount Birkenhead and Si George Younger, Tory party manager. I We have thus" says the newspaper l "a full-dress conference of the forme I leader, respective leader and manage
 of the conservatice party"
 Recalling that Both M. Law and Wis . count Birkenhead have pledged them |. selves to Listers support, the Week. d Dispatch declares that if Ulster refuse r what Premier Lloyd George things ar
 reasonable terms, he may resign an
 leave the Tories to face the situation
 Should Ulster prove the stumbling bloc
 to prevent an Irish settlement, and Nil [, Lloyd George resign without going | Il the voters on the issue the newspape , says, the coalition would be in obviou
 danger of breaking up. The sequel,
 adds, would be that a Tory premie d would assume the reins of office, eve l. if only temporarily.
 l, The Irish issue is even more momer a tous for the empire than the Washing
 ton arms conference, declares the Weel
 ly Observer. which adds: ''sSDr can Bri F. ish statemanship give effective mind I le the vast American programme unt d light is struck through the darkness le Irish misery"
 D. The Observer declares that the SUI
 gested plan to take from Ulster th
 counties of Tyrone and Fermanarh mu a- be disregarded, as it might easily brir Tt about the rejection of allegiance to Il of empire by both the north and south m Ireland.