New-York tribune., 1921-06-28
Belfast Unionist Press
Bitterly Condemns Pros
posal of Lloyd George
as an Act of Treachery
Cabinet to Take
Up Offer To-day
Generally Believed That
De Valera VIII Accept
Invitation of Premier;
May Ask Aids Release
From The Trs0une's European Bureau
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.

Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, June 27.-Apparently
the first definite result of Premier
Lloyd Georges call for an Irish
peace conference has been the ems
bitterment of Ulster. Sir James
Craig, the Ulster Premier, has sum-
moned a meeting of his Cabinet for
tomorrow and has promised to let
the British Prime Minister know it's
decision as soon as possible.
Opinion in England takes it for
granted Sir James will agree to meet
Eamon de Valera, president of the.
Irish Republic" but the Belfast
Unionist newspapers condemn thk
proposal in the most unqualified
terms. Their editorial columns re.
veal a flash of the spirit of 1914,
when Ulster armed against Home
Rule. At the same time, papers of
all shades of opinion in southern
Ireland generally applaud the pros-
pect of an end to bloodshed.
Expect De Valera to Accept
Interest here to-day centers in De
Valera's attitude, which is not expected
to be made public before tomorrow or
Wednesday, but which. it is assumed,
will prove to be qualified acceptance.
The Evening News says it understands
that should conference meet, the
government is willing to make SUBJ
stantial concessions in reference to
fiscal autonomy and control of Irish
policies by local authorities. Belfast,
on the other hand, is furious at the
prospect of even the smallest yielding
to the claims of Sim Fein, and is be-
ginning audibly to wonder whether it
was double crossed" through its &C
ceptance of the Home Rule act, which
it never really wanted.
At this moment the government Isl
holding the alternative of a sterner
military policy in the south in the
background, but is training troops for
an intensified campaign should the ne
gotiations miscarry.
i
Dublin declares, I'VE cannot believe the
invitation will be rejected" the Belfast
Northern Wing says:
Premier Lloyd George is not treat
ing Sir James Craig fairly in asking
him to meet De Valera. We do NOT
know how the Premier regards Dc
Valera, but Ulster loyalists regard him
with abhorrence. His hands are steeped
with the blood of hundreds of Innocent
policemen, soldiers and civilians. and
one shudders at the very idea of being
him"
Assailed by Ulster Organ
The Belfast News Letter demands.
Does any Ulster Unionist suppose
for moment that acceptance of Lloyd
Georges invitation by the Cabinet
OF northern Ireland would mean the
discussion of the question of an Irish
republic or the abandonment OF the
Northern Parliament? The fate of our
Parliament is in our hands now, and
20 suppose that Craig or his colleagues
would sit in conference and discuss
giving it up is nonsensical.
Are the Sim Fein leaders prepared
to enter a conference on the basis oe
the abandonment of the demand for a
republic and the acceptance of a gov-
ernment Of Ireland act? That must be
so, or else the imperial governments
would be traitor to Us and the King.
for that was the basis of the Kings
appeal for settlement
The Nationalist, Irish Independent,
and The Freeman's Journal, of Dublin.
both favor the conference. English
conservative journals, such as The
Pail Mall Gazette, state:
"Let the South of Ireland accent the
parliament and there is nothing, short
of an impossible separation, that NAV
not be added
May Consult Imprisoned Leaders
DUBLIN, June 27 (By The Associated
Press }.-Four members of De Valera,s
cabinet are in jail--the Countess Geor-
gina Markievicz, Minister OF Labor.
Robert Barton, Arthur Griffith. founder
of the Sim Fein, and Professor John
MeNeiil. president of the Sim Fein
volunteers.
The opinion was expressed in high
Sinn Fem circles to-day that Mr.. De
Valera would request an opportunity
to consult with them and that, should
Sir James Craig's Cabinet consider a
general meeting of the Northern Par
lament members desirable, De Valera
would make the same claim as regards
the Dali Eireann and ask for the re-
lease of all it's imprisoned members.
In both official and Sim Fein circles
De Valera's acceptance of Mr.. T,iovd
Georges invitation is regarded prob.
able.
Professor John Mcneil, who was
expelled from the Royal Irish Academy
after the rebellion, to-day was re-
stored to his position by the members
of the academy without division, al
| though he is in Jail.
Denies Sim Fein Split
The Irish Bulletin. the Dail
Eireann's Official organ, answering to-
day intimations in the English press
OF division between De Valera and
the Extremists, says no such division
ever existed. Mr.. De Valera himself.
ie asserts, repeatedly has stated pub
liely that the national army is under
control of the national civil govern
ment and that the ministry of the Dali
Eireann is responsible, both for policy
and executive action.
+ Notices we're posted thronghout ths
city today by the auxiliary police. ad.
! dressed to the members of the Irish
g.