New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-19
Ulster TO Maintain Her
Present Status, Vows
Premier; British Must
Settle With De Valera
Goes to Belfast II
After UltinlatuEn
Lloyd George and sinn
Fein Head to Continue
Negotiations, but Alone


ciated Press THE Irish negotia-
tions have taken an unexpected de-
velopnent tonight. Sir James
Craig, the Ulster Premier, on de-
parting for Belfast made statement
which appears to forbid any hope of
assembling a conference such as Pre-
mier Lloyd George proposed among
himself, Eamon de Valera and the
Ulster Premier.
The Ulster leader contends that
the Sim Fein themselves, by contest
ing the elections for the northern
Parliament on platform of mo
PARTITION" in which they were
roundly defeated, have recognized
listers claim to self-determination,
and, as far as his words have been
interpreted for the present, he seems
to wash his hands of any further
participation in the peace negotia-
tions.
81 return home we'll satisfied with
the efforts being made towards peace
said Sir James. "Mr. de Valera has
broken his silence and cle$red the
ground by his statement to the press
that he proposes to found his claim or
recognition Of the right of self-deter-
mination."
Says Polls Fixed Status
The Ulster Premier contended that
the people of Northern Ireland had
determined" their own Parliament by
an overwhelming majority.
"Such being the true facts" ne con-
tinued, "it now only remains for Mr..
de Valera and the British people to
come to terms regarding the area out
side of that of which am Prime Min
lister. The people of Northern Ireland
make no claim whatever to determine
the terms of settlement which Great
Britain shall make with Southern
Ireland.
"When this is accomplished I can
promise cordial cooperation on equal
terms with Southern Ireland iii any
matters affecting our common interest.
Having reached the present stage, |
return to Ireland to carry on the prac-
tical work Of the government. J. feel
that our interests are ably represented !
in the Imperial Parliament, and, of
course, our services are available at
any moment"
Craig and Premier Deadlocked
From reliable authority it is learned
that a deadlock has developed between
Lloyd George and Sir James, and 1t is
inferred that this concerns Mr.. de Va
lera's insistence that under any posi-
Bile settlement any powers given to the
Ulster government must be derived
not from the Imperial Parliament, but
from an Irish parliament representing
the whole country. Unity of Ireland is
from Mr. de Valera's standpoint ahso-
lutely essential to any possible nego
tiations.
The official announcement issued at
the close Of 3 long conference between
the Premier and Mr.. de Valera to-day
says:
1.-THE conversations between Mr..
Lloyd George and Mr. de Valera will be
resumed Thurday."
This ordinarily would permit the
British public and Ireland still to in
dulge in confident hope that salts
factory settlement would ultimately be
reached, but Sir James Craig's state
ment, which was given out in the form
Of an interview, has pat rather q
damper on the hopeful spirit.
Nothing is allowed to come out as
to what takes place behind the closed
doors of the Cabinet room, and the
secrecy even extends to tacit agree
ment to put no questions on the sub
ject in Parliament. The negotiations,
in fact, have ell the character of dip
lomatic exchanges between two foreign
diplomats.
Though it had been thought possible
from the first that Ulster might adopt
such an attitude, this sudden dashing
of hopes that a peace conference would
be assembled as an outcome of the
separate Iegotations Of the Prime
Minister with De Valera and Craig
comes somewhat as a shock 10 the
public.
Repudiates Majority" Argument
The Ulster Premier now declares
b!untly that the British government
must reach its own agreement with
De Valera and that Ulster is deter
mined to maintain its present status,
thus repudating the whole Sim Fein
argument that Ulster is in the minority
and must bow to the majority in Ire
land.
There is some hope, however, that
when Mir. Lloyd George meets Mr. de
Valera again on Thursday he may be
able by some means TO rescue the ne
BOlidtloHS ltom Ine apparent deadlock.
While the Premier was in confer
ence with Mr.. de Valera he sent
telephone message for the Ulster lead
er, who arrived with the Marquis of
Londonderry almost at the moment that
the Premier was taking leave OF Mr..
de Valera; in fact, the latter was not
aware until afterward that Sir James
had been summoned. The official an
nouncement shows that MIR. Lloyd
George received the Ulster Premier
and MS colleagues after De Valera had
departed. -,
Mr.. Lloyd George conferred with
the Ulster Premier alone. The MEM
bers of their respective cabinets accom-
panied both Irish rep presentatives, bur
so far as is known did not participate
in the conferences with the Premier.
De Valera Remains in London
1t was at first supposed that Sir
James and his colleagues were going
to Belfast in accordance with a prior
engagement, and that while there shey