New-York tribune., 1921-10-26
Lloyd Georges Demand
tor Guarantees and Sim
Fein Insistence ON UNITY
Threaten Split To-day
Prepared
To Quit England
Uhionists Consolidating
Opposition imp Parliament
to Halt independence

AOSOOAV' Oct. 20 tby Ihc ASSocl-
ated Press).-At Irish headquarters
tonight an attempt was made to con-
vey the impression that break-off to-
m borrow Of the peace negotiations and
the Immediate return of the delegates
to Dublin are within the range of
probability. The differences, it was
lntimated, were caused by Premier
Lloyd Georges insistence that any set
tlement must provide suitable guaran-
ties for Ulster and the Sim Fein con-
tention for the unity of Ireland, ire
spective of the wishes of the North.
Among the British officials there ap-
peared to be a disposition to believe
that the committee which was in ses
sion this afternoon would present its
report and that a full conference of
the delegates would reassemble to-
morrow.
From The Tribune's European Bureau
Copyright, 1921 New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Oct. 25.-After sitting for
almost two hours this evening, Premier
Lloyd George, Austen Chamberlain,
representing the Cabinet, and Arthur
Griffith and Michael Collins, represent
ing the Sim Fein, separated without
having arrived at a definite agreement
upon which the Irish peace negotia-
tions could be continued. The official
communique, issued soon after the
Committee of Four adjourned, stated
merely that "a full meeting Of the con-
ference was postponed, as the commit
tee was sitting No mention was made
of any subsequent sessions of the con-
ference or of the nature of to-nght's
discussions.
There is reason to believe that the
Sim Fein delegates have countered
Lloyd Georges attack on De Valera's
telegram to the Pope by raising the
Ulster issue. While the Irish repub-
licans have intimated ever since the
signing of the truce that they might
eventually come to an agreement on
the question'of allegiance to the crown,
they have contended stoutly for recog
milton of Ireland as a whole.
Committee to Meet Again
Within the Premier's Downing Street
residence there were gathered during
the meeting tonight Sir Hamar Green
wood, Erskine Childers and Sean Mil
roy, the last named the Dali Eireann
member for the Tyrone -Fermanagh dis
trict. The fact that they carried maps
was taken to indicate that the question
of allegiance had been broadened to in
cude Ulster. After the conference
both sides held separate meetings, and
it is expected that another meeting of
the Committee of Four will be held to-
morrow, with perhaps the committee
later reporting to the full conference.
1t would seem that at least the most
difficult stages of the negotiations have
been passed. With both sides desper-
ately anxious to avoid break and the
return to hostilities, Lloyd Georges
plan of trying to settle differences by
small committees is considered admir-
able. In any case no break can come
until all the delegates have had the
opportunity to participate in the dis
cussions.
In the last twentyfour hours mes
sages have been flying back and forth
between London and Dublin, and at
Sim Fein headquarters here there is
no sign that the delegates are prepar-
ing ior SPECIFY leIuIH 10 llelaHu.
the press seems to reflect a
spirit of optimism, although stress is
laid on the seriousness Of the present
discussions.
Unionists Form Opposition
In Parliament the Unonist "die-
hards," so called, numbering forty, are
to make a campaign against
the governments Irish policy and some
bitter criticism is forecast when the
groups of Unionists, and although both
are insistent on the test of allegiance
for Sim Fein, the majority group is
just as anxious as the Liberals that the
should carry the negotia-
tions to successful conclusion.
Premier Lloyd George is showing no
alarm over the revolt by this small
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