The New York herald., 1921-10-21
ULSTER'S PROBLEM
TO Come UP TODAY
London Conference Will
Tackle Most Difficult Phase
of Irish Question.
SIM FEINERS FIRM
Maintain Stand Not to En-
ter Empire if Ireland
Is Split.
PREMIER TO KEEP FAITH
Believed He Will Construct
Plan to Compel North
to Acquiesce.
PREMIER TO KEEP FAITH
au the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. Oct. 20.-The most diff1cult
problem facing the Irish conference
that of Ulster-will. 1t is understood,
come up before the full conference
which Is dealing with the subject of
Irish peace at session to be held to-
morrow.
The Sim Fein delegates have been
busy to-day with their experts con-
Guiding their case for presentation to
the conference Sim Fein has main
tanned its determination not to agree
to enter the British Commonwealth
unless Ireland is treated as unit.
An effort therefore is to be made from
the Governments side to induce Ulster
to consider some means by which,
while preserving it's local autonomy.
it may form part of the Irish State.
The Ulsterites have resisted all ap-
peals thus far and the present restless
ress in Belfast Is attributed In high
quarters in London to apprehension that
the rank and file of the British repre-
sentatives at the conference contemplate
sacrificing them to tho desire for an
Irish settlement. They refer 20 the re-
cent speech at Armagh of Michael c.
Inns. Sim Fein Finance Minister. who
prophesied that the British po 'ficians
would abandon Ulster when 1t suited
them.
All information obtainable in author
itative quarters, however. points to strict
adherence by Premier Lloyd George and
his colleagues to their Ulster pledges.
The opinion is expressed that it will be
possible to construct some plan which.
while apparently leaving Ulster un-
touched will give such advantages to the
south as to compel Ulster to make terms
with the south. There are other persons
to whom the difficulties seem insuperable.
any many OF them prophesy speedy
break In the negotiations on this issue.
Premier Lloyd George. answering a
question In the House of Commons to-
day, said that the question Of the release
OF jnterned and untried prisoners in Ire
land would be one for discussionin con-
iiection fifth the terms OF final peace.
The Dublin correspondent of the Gen.
trail News learns that Sim Fein head
quarters has no intention to ask for the
release of those persons now held In
custody by the British Government, but
will leave the initiative In this matter
TO the Premier.
Discrediting the widespread belief
that Sir James Craig. the Ulster Pre-
mier. will take part In the conference,
members of the Sim Fein delegation
said to-day there was no intention on
their part, at least for the present. of
conscnting to admit Sir James.
\ Both sides seemingly are doing every
thing to avoid possible friction. When
the House of Commons met to-day the
word rebels was erased from ques-
tons addressed 70 Str Hamar Green
wood by various members of the House.
The Speaker of the House said that
under his instructions questions were
not to be put that carried implications
or insinuations OF this character.
The Sinp Feiners reiterate that It will
be impossible for Premier Lloyd George
TO go to Washington until q show
down" has been reached by the con-
terence.