The New York herald., 1921-09-07
IRELAND'S FATE LIKELY
IN COUNCIL MEETING
Seuen British Ministers TrdDel
700 Miles for Conference.
By the Associated Press.

LONDON, Sept. 6.-Lord Birkenhead,
Lord High Chancellor. and six other
Ministers. are travelling 700 miles to-
night to join the Prime Minister and the
rest OF the Cabinet--Viscounte Fitzalan.
the Irish Viceroy, and Gen. Sir Nevil
Macready. commander Of the troops In
Ireland--in what may prove a most crlti-
cal meeting concerning the fate of Ire
land.
No speeia. salon was provided. the
Ministerial party taking ordinary sleep
crs in the regular train. Earl Curzon,
Secretary for Foreign Affairs. was In
disposed and unable to go.
Never before have the Ministers been
called upon to take a similar journey to
attend a council in such unusual circum-
stances. Because of the presence in the
neighborhood of Inverness in advance
OF the meeting of Vscount Fitzalan. Sir
Hamar Greenwood. Chief Secretary for
Ireland: Winston Spencer Churchill,
Secretary for the Colonies. and Gen.
Macready, there have been rumors Of in
formal discussions. tending TO the idea
that the time had arrived to put an end
TO the protractcd negotiations.
Nothing is positively known to this
effect, however, but there Is good ground
10 believe that many members of the
Cabinet favor placing a time limit on
further discussions. 1t is likely that
everythin. will depend upon the decision
of the Premier himself. and the general
impression is that he strongly opposes
any DIT scipitate breaking Of negotiations.
Whether Eamon de VaierA's sudden
decision to-day to unbosom himself to
the press in such frank fashion was due
to ths idea that he might influence the
Premier to prevent premature break
ing of of the negotiations was the sub
ject OF speculation in London. Mr.. Lloyd
George VIII meet the King at Moy Hail.
whers the King is staying. on his way
to-m orrow morning to join his colleagues
at Inverness.
The Doiiy Moips political corre-
spondent at Inverness learns from a per-
ION In close touch with Premier Lloyd
George that the Sim Fein leaders will
set a short time limit In which to say
lsfinitely whether they will enter con-
yrence on the basis laid down In the
Governments offer.
Alternatives to failure of the Sim
Nein to arrange an accommodation,
says the correspondent. ARE being con-
sidered in consultation with the Irish
yiceroy and Gen. Macready."
The correspondent points out that the
Government would refer the question to
Parliament before reintroducing the pol
.cy Of repression in ireland and might
submit the issue to the country, thus
.reating the possibility Of general cleo
ton. but adds that the Premier retains
the sincere hope that the Sim Fein will
realize the dangers OF further delay and
the essential conditions Of his offer.
The London Times considers that the
British Government has been at dis
advantage through the method Of ex-
changing written arguments between
Dublin and London. and says:
III the Government brings the dis
cussion to close quarters II win not
snly convince Ireland of the persistence
Il the Governments desire for peace
~ no means negligible consideration
,ut win substitute the true atmosphere
n peace, making for that Of an exhibit
Lon of dialectiCs."