The Washington herald., 1921-09-30
London Believes Frank
Message Will Open
Peace Doors.
WANTS CONFERENCE
HELD OCTOBER II
Irish Claims Not Repudi.
ated in Latest Reply
To Dublin.

LONDON. Sept. % with Lloyd
Georges reply to Eamonn de Va
Iera generally accepted as concill-
atory in tone and not calculated to
offend Sim Fein leaders, the belief
is prevalent here that the Irish
president will accept the Invitation
to a conference in London on Oc-
tober II. and thus bring 10 an end
the correspondence which has gone
back and forth over the Channel
since July.
How can Sim Fein refuse" Lon.
dor diplomats are asking. in view
of the fact that this latest note Is
nothing more than Lloyd Georges
frank invitation to talk the situa-
tion over, without strings and with
out conditions?"
Say Dublin IL Pleased.
Information from Dublin il to the
effect that the public Is pleased
with the tone of the reply and feels
that the door is left open for De
Valera's acceptance .in all honor" :"
1t is pointed out that the letter
contains no positive stipulations to
which any objection can be taken,
oAN tho1 "HlC lie ueCIdTe8
the British government cannot rec
ognize Sim Fein's claims to a SOW
ereign state. he does not in so many
words demand preliminary repudi-
alton Of the Irish doctrine.
Lloyd George has once more
enunciated the two principles upon
which he is willing to deal with
Sim Fein in search for a ground
upon which an Irish peace may bs
obtained.
Will Not Recognise Claims.
The hrst Is a reiteration that
under no circumstances will the
British government admit, either
directly or by inference, the SOW
sTeignty of Ireland.
The second Is that the govern
ment is willing, without conditions,
to meet Sim Fein to discuss how
best the association of ireland
with the Community of nations
known as the British Empire" can
be reconciled with Irish national
aspirations.
The premier's reply to, De Va
lera Is, in contravention to his pre-
rious messages. cIearscut expo
sition of these two principles, with
out lengthy explanation of the gov
ernment's attitude
In effect, the premier asks De
Valera to forget the entire lengthy
that has passed,
and come down to the real question
which is: Will he or will he not
send delegates to London to talk
peace on any conditions?
Appeals to World.
Lloyd George makes an appeal.
in his note, not only to his own
country. but to the whole world,
to recognize the sincerity of the
British proposals, and declares that
the only practical way of solving
the problem is by conference and
not by further correspondence.
The proposals which we have
already made" he says, have been
taken by the whole world as proof
that our endeavors for reconcilia-
ton and a settlement are NO empty
form, and we feel that the confer
ence and not correspondence is the
most practical and hopeful way to
an understanding such as we ar
iently desire, to accomplish.
Therefore, l send you herewith
L fresh invitation to a conference
n London on October IL, where / /
an meet your delegation as spokes-
men for the people you represent. |
With view to ascertaining how
he association of ireland with the
community of nations Known asI
he British Empire can best be re-
'onciled with Irish national aspira-
ions"
The Sim Fein response to the
lew note perhaps will depend upon
he outcome of the present differ
noes in Irish Republican circles,
n which the factions are striving
or supremacy. De Valera received
he note at noon and later went
o luncheon with some of his col
eagues, returning to the Mansion
iouse to discuss the latest develop
nent with members of the Dali
abinet. He is expected to reply
lfter a full meeting of the cabinet
omorrow.