Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-12
British Proposals Rejected
and Further Interview
Refused By Craig.
HAS OTHER PLANS
Lloyd George Facing Hardest Diplo-
matte Problem of His Entire
Experience.

London, Nov. 12.-Frcsh from the
impressive ceremony at Cenotapn,
where tens of thousands mourned IN
common the victims Of the great war,
the Ulster Cabineo today sent the
Prime Minister reply to the Irish
peace proposals equivalent to a new
declaration of war against tlve-s!%thS
Of the Irish people.
Not only has Sir James Craig re-
jected the Government proposals De.
cause of his Fundamental principles,
but he has informed the British Pre-
mier he will not grant him another
personal interview, unless those are
withdrawn from the subjects to be
discussed"
Sir lanes promises to provide Mr..
Lloyd George with "other and more
practicable meaus for securing peace
without infringing the rights Of VI
stcr." These arc proposals framed
BY the Orange Cabinet alone without
consulting either the. British Cabinet
or representatives of the vast maj
ority of the Irish people. As an ex-
ample - -
ton, this could rot be bettered.
Even if the Prime Minister were
willing to pass under the Caudine
Forks and bescech another interview
with the Ulster Premier, that gentle
man has Indirectly given notice that
it would be useless, as the Orange
Ministers are separating until the
British Cabinet sees fit to offer
fresh basis of agreement.
Sir James is obviously being ma
neuvered by the "die hards" with 4
view to securing tactical advantage
when the conservative caucus meets
next Thursday. His countcrsproposals
will doubtless be published there, and
used to relieve the Orangemen from
I'll responsibility Of refusing peace
on any terms. The "die hards" are
busily canvassing for support at the
caucus. and now claim to have the
promise of nearly 100 members.
Andrew Bonar Law is credited with
authorship of an irreconcilable ar
ticle in today's Yorkshire Post. but
it is said his physician has forbidden
his taking part in any political cam
paipn. even to the extent Of appearing
at the caucus.
The Cabinet is understood to be
solidly behind the Premier, although
there is still some vague rumors that
MARQUIS CurZon may resign the For
eign Secretaryship.
The Conservative caucus must
vitally influence the situation one way
or the other. If the die hards get
control it will be tantamount to serv-
ing notice on the coalition by the
Conservative members to quit. The
Premier would then be driven to dis
solve Parliament and appeal to the
country on the Irish peace proposals.
But all the British parties have
given Ulster pledges that she will
never be ''coerced," and the Sim Fein
IS as deeply pledged as the rest by
ihe repeated statements Of Eamonn
de Valera If Mr.. Lloyd George
won, as is considered practically cer-
tain, and if Ulster still remained OBJ
duratc. which on its nublic form is
even more certain, what could be
done?
All this time Sim Fein will have
heen consolidating their strength in
Ireland. and in any case it is incon-
ceivable that war could be levied
against 2 noopln who have agreed
with the British Government on terms
of ncace. Thus Mr.. Lloyd GEORGE
finds himself confronted with the
,~ost formidable noltical problem
that even hn. in all his uneXampled
experience. has encountered.