Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-17
Silence On
Peace Meet
Ulster Premier Says Slightest
Misinterpretation May
Cause Incalculable
Harm.
Truce Kept In Ireland


London, July l6.-What is hap
pening behind the scenes in the con-
situations Of the Irish parties pre-
liminary to the renewal of the con-
versations between Eamonn De
Valera and Premier Lloyd George
on Monday is screened by what Sir
James Craig, the Ulster premier,
termed this morning rigid silence"
Sir James used this phrase in ex-
planning TO interviewers his belief
that everything depended upon the
way the question was handled.
THE slightest indiscretion or mis-
Interpretation" he said, may easily
cause incalculable harm. What will
best aid the attainment of peace is
for everyone concerned to withhold
comment outside CT official consul
tations."
Premier to Meet Cabinet
OF the principles m the confer
ences, Mr.. Lloyd George is spend
ing the weekend at his country
home at Chequers court, where
members Of the cabinet probably
will be called.
Mr.. De Valera and his colleagues
went this afternoon TO view the ex-
hibition here of Sir John Lavery's
paintings, which include pictures of
the trial of Sir Roger Easement and
of the funeral procession in London
of Lord Mayor MacSwiney of Cork
and portrait of Archbishop Man
nix of Australia.
Sir James Craig was awaiting the
arrival in London of three members
cf the Ulster cabinet, H. NJ. Pol
lock, minister of finance; E. A.
Archdaie, minister of agriculture,
and ]. M. Andrews, minister of la
tor, whom he summoned from Bel
fast yesterday for conferences here
which are expected to be held this
evening.
Craig May Join.
On the deliberations of the Ulster
premier and colleague is believed
to rest the immediate hope for the
unembarrassed continuance of the
Downing street conversations, in
which it is possible Sir James will
join Monday, although such visit
to the prime minister's official resi-
dence would be merely for a second
personal interview with Mr.. Lloyd
George.
The De Valera headquarters was
bonbarded this morning with re-
quests for comment on various pub
lished reports as to terms, concrete
proposals and decisions alleged 10
have been made during the talks on
the peace question already held, but
to all inquirers the official rejoinder
was:
"We are pledged to secrecy.
These reports are pure fabrications,
Gut of the minds of the writers, and
are wholly unwarranted-"
Warfare to Be Resumed.
Dublin; July Accommodating up
on the conference between Eanfonn
De Valera and Prime Minister
Lloyd George n London, the Irish
Bulletin today declared:
'1f a peaceful settlement should
be denied, the Irish people viii re-
sumo armed resistance to foreign
domination. They possess the will,
and by endurance. the power to
bring their fight eventually to sue
cess"
Referring to the observance of the
truce between the Irish republicans
and the crown forces, the Bulletin
said, it proved there is in the nation
that discipline and obedience to au-
thority which is the essence of sue
cessful self-government. The sur
prise expressed by English news
papers that the truce was kept arises
from the inability to understand the
realities of the situation which the
British press consistently has dis
played"