The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-11-08
LLOYD GEORGE
MAY BE FORCED
TO QUIT HIS JOB
Absolute Stand by Ulster De-
feats Premier'S Plans.
UniOniSts Fear That He Plans
to "Betray" Them.
CRAIG SUMMONS CABINET
Sim Fein Say British Must
Solve North Ireland Problem
New Climax in Irish Situation
Rapidly Approaching.
CRAIG SUMMONS CABINET

London, Nov. S.-The possibility
that Premier Lloyd George and his
cabinet may resign on Friday as a
result of the Irish peace crisis, was
being discussed in the inner circles of
Downing street today.
The premier will confer tomorrow
with Sir James Craig and the other
members of the Unionist cabinet OF
Ulster and the future courses of the
British cabinet in the Irish peace ne
gotiations will depend upon this
meeting.
If the Ulsterites reject the pre-
mier's proposals for a compromise and
refuse to have any dealings with the
Sim Fein, then it is likely Premier
Lloyd George will seriously consider
resigning and a general election with
Irish peace as the chief issue will
take place.
In his recent speech in the house of
commons, just before receiving vote
of confidence, the premier intimated
he might resign If the Unionists sue
ceeded in wrecking the Irish peace
conference. The premier'S colleagues
declared TO-DAY, however that he would
not resign unless every other resource
failed, for 1t is the one ambition OF
the, premier's life to leave the Irish
peace as a legacy to the country when
he retires from the government.
Ulster Fears Betrayal"
The Ulsterites do not attempt to
conceal their belief that Lloyd George
may "betray' them to the Sim Fem
ers. Their opposition has stiffened
within the past few days and the
breach between the north Ireland
Unionists and the British cabinet has
widened despite the efforts Of A. Bo-
mar Law and Sir Edward Carson to
bridge it.
At the same time, there is a possi-
bility that a split may occur among
! =ka hn Eaffi firI1 To-.
is a powerful pleader with great pow
ers of persuasion and If he can win
the support of the Ulster business men
with economic arguments, they may
bring pressure upon the "irreconcil-
ables."
! The Orange leaders in Ulster are
the backbone of the opposition to a
compromise. They threaten to bring
about Sir James Cralg's political
downfall if he yields to South ireland.
Intimates of Premier Lloyd George
say that he has made it plain to his
colleagues in the government that he
will not be responsible for a renewal
of warfare in ireland. If the Union
lists remain firm in their refusal to
make concessions, the allies will issue
g statement to the country putting full
= responsibility upon the Unionist party.
A general election would follow and
every effort would be made to con-
tinue the Irish armlstice in effect un-
4 Ulster Cabinet Summoned.
Members of the Ulster cabinet have
been summoned to London by their
premier. Sir James Craig, to consider
proposals made by the British govern
nnent in connection with the Irish
peace negotiations and Sir James is to
confer further with Premier Lloyd
George on Thursday afternoon.
These developments, announced Of
ficially, are deemed here to indicate
an approaching climax in the discus
sion of an Irish settlement. The stu
alton is frankly admitted in Official
circles to have reached critical
stage.
Ali Rests With Ulster.
Success or failure Of the peace ne
gotiations now rests with Ulster. in
the opinion of Sim Fein delegates
here. who declare that their propos-
ais to the British premier with re-
spect to Ulster are liberal enough to
allow of a settlement If Ulster
1 chooses.
The serious view taken in official
circles is SAID to be due to the stiff
attitude assumed by Sir James in his
conferences with Premier Lloyd
George. He is represented as signify
ing that the proposed basis of settle
ment submitted by the British pre-
m.er would in his opinion seriously
imperil listers rights.
Should this attitude be upheld by
the Ulster cabinet and the govern
ment proposals rejected, It is regard
ed as possible that Mr. Lloyd George
will carry out his threat to tender his
resignation as prime minister. Ey-
erything, consequently, is thought to
hinge upon Thursdays developments,
Sim Fein Obdurate.
Michael Collins and George Gavan
Duffy, members of the Sim Fein dele
cation who have been in Dublin core
ferring with Eamon de Valera. left for
London last night, but Sim Fein
headquarters here declared there
could be no developments on their
side until after the British and Ulster
premiers conclude their conference.
Altho the morning newspapers gem
orally recognize that the calling OF
the UIsterites to London is a signifi-
cant step which cannot fail to produce
important developments. they do not
accept the view that it indicates fur
ther hardening of listers attitude or
adds to the acuteness Of the situation.
They point out that it had been
recognized from the start that Ulster
was not likely to moderate its known
point of view or meet suggestions OF
compromise with alacrity.
Nor is it thought surprising by the
newspapers that Sir James refused to
assume the responsibility of acting
without first consulting his cabinet.
Assertions of listers act of 1929
have been so numerous and emphatic,
they say. that ready acceptance of the
new proposals would occasion great
surprise.