New Britain herald., 1921-07-18
General Jan c. Smuts Re-
appears As An Active
: Participant In Negotia-
tons For Settlement OF
Difficulties
Whatever Hitch There is in
Deliberations, It is Be-
lieved That Obstetrics Are
Ones Causing It.

London, July 1s.-(By Ass'd Press)
-Eamonr De Valera, Irish Republi-
can leader. in response to an invita-
ton by the premier, Mr.. Lloyd
George, called at No. 10 Downing
street, the premier's official residence,
at AIS o'clock this afternoon to con-
fer with Mr.. Lloyd George on the
Irish question,
snuts At Meeting.
London, July 18.-(By .Ass'd Press)
General Jan c. Smuts, South Afri-
can premier, who had a prominent
part in the early informal negotia-
tions which brought about the truce
in Ireland and the peace conferences
now in progress, reappeared today as
a factor in the Irish negotiations.
Premier Lloyd George had been at
his Official residence in Downing
street and had a long talk with tho
premier during which they were join
ed by Gen. Smuts, the conference
continuing moro than an hour.
Not In Limelight Recently.
Gen. Smuta had not figured previ-
ous1y in the conversations which have
been going on at Downing street
since the truce went into effect, his
last known active participation in the
pourparlers having been on the oc-
casion of his return from Dublin
week before last, when he reported
the results of his visit to Mr.. Lloyd
George and to King George. It was
learned today, however, that the pre-
nnier and Gen. Smuts had long dis
cussion of the situation yesterday at
Cheouera Court. It waa. Gen. Smuts
Dublin trip which Is believed to have
much to do with bringing the Irish
delegations to London for the peace
conferences.
Therc was no indication ND to the
early afternoon whether Lloyd
Georges would meet Eamonn De Va
lera today while as for the Irish re-
publican leader joining any confer
enca at present with Sir James Craic
the Ulster premier, this is declared
by Sim Fein spokesmen to be out
Of the question. The Sim Fein lead
ers declared De Valera considers the
Ulster premier as outside the scope
of the present negotiations. and they
have declined to indicate even wheth-
er the time might come when he
could be regarded by them as a party
to the discussions. They were leaving
the British government to deal with
him. they declared.
Wants Later Meeting.
Shortly after 2 o'clock it was
learned it had been decided tho pre-
mier would request De Valera te
meet him later in the day. At the
conclusion of the conference partici-
pated in by Mr.. Lloyd George, Wis
count Fitzallan and Gen. SHUTS, the
premier called the cabinet members
/. to meet him in the house of common:
this afternoon, after which De Valera
was asked to call at Downing stree
at AIS clock. Sir James Craig, il
was stated had been Invited to come
to Downing street early this evening
Meanwhile tho Ulster premier wa:
continuing his consultations with the
members OF his cabinet whom hi
called here last week.
These developments were accepted
in well informed circles as indications
that whatever Immediate difficult!
may exist lies between the. premiel
and the C1sterites. in view Of thu
statement from De Valera'a part.
yesterday that they did not know
what Sir James was doing and tha
the British were dealing with him.