New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-14
Optimism Remains I'm
shaken in London After
Cabinet Acts Upon De
Valera's Communication
Offer of Dominion
Status Confirmed
Smuts Letter Says Irish
We're Given Better Of
fer Than South Africa

Copyright. 1921, New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Aug. 13.-The British gov
eminent to-day sent a reply to the
Sim Fein note received Thursday
after a Cabinet meeting called to dis
euss the Irish situation. For the pres
ent the contents of both notes are be-
ing kept secret.
Optimism still was evident in official
circles and widely published reports
that the interchange of notes ended
the peace negotiations were denied.
1t is explained that the Irish Repub-
licans naturally would seek to obtain
all the concessions possible since they
believed that England was in a con-
ciliatory mood.
The Evening Standard asserted un-
reservedly to-day that the Cabinet
viewed the situation as serious, but
that the Irish note did not make def
mite demands or requests, but merely
suggested moves that it believed would
facilitate settlement
ruILner 1leIQlnS opposed
1t is undeniable that there is con-
siderable sentiment in England against
yielding further to Sim Fein, but the
government, having carried negotia-
Ions to the present stage, naturally is
not desirous Of seeing them fail
1t is probable that Monday or Tues
day Premier Lloyd George will inform
the House of Commons of the progress
thus far.
LONDON, Aug. 1s (By The Asso-
elated Press).-Official light upon the
status Of the Irish negotiations was
,iven Tor the first time to-day by the
government in the form of a letter
written by General Jan C. SHUTS. the
South African Premier, to Eamon de
Valera, the Irish republican leader.
lhis letter, which is dated August 4,
reYeais that Premier Lloyd George
oHered the twenty-six Sim F6in coun-
t'es complete dominion status. sub
lect to certain strategic safeguards. !"
1t is also shown by the text of the
istter that Sir James Craig, the Ulster
l'remler, has refused to negotiate
with Mr.. de Valera, and that Ulster is
standing firm for retaining her present
government.
General Smuts, however, urged the
republican leader to accept dominion
ssatus and leave Ulster to join the
south in her own time, as he be.
iieved that through the successful
r1nning OF the Irish state and the pull
OF economic and peaceful forces" Ulster
eventually would be brought into line
THE British Prime Minister" wrote
General SHUTS in the course of his
long letter, "offers a complete domin-
on status to the twenty-six counties
.uoJect to certain strategic safeguards
which you are asked to agree to volun-
tariiy as free dominion. It
S Tar more than was offered the Trans
vaai and the Free State"
Ulster Issue an Impasse
General Smuts in the letter asserted
ne had been desirous of helping alone
an Irish sediment, but there existed
an impasse which he did not know a.
said, was that both Sir James Craig
the Ulster Premier, and Mr.. de Valera
were equally immoyable in their posi-
1ons, the former maintaining that
Ulster woaiG not consent to a change
rom her present status, and the re-
publican leader insisting that Ulster
come under united Ireland consti-
tuition.
Force as a solution of the problem, >
continued General SHUTS, "is out Of
.ae question, both on your de Valera's)
ana MS (Craig's) premises. The proc
sss o. arriving at an agreement will
therefore take time"
:, General smuts explained that for
THIS reason ne considered he could he
of no further use at this stage of the
snegotlations and therefore was going
any solution on the lines of Ulster
coming INTO an Irish state was fore
aoomed to failure at the present, Cen
s's' Smuts declared, az Ulster would
Continued on page four)