The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1921-09-05
BRITISH MUST
FOLLOW ONE
OF 2 COURSES
Irish Reply Firm = Decide
Wednesday Whether to
Continue Negotiations or
Issue Ultimatum.
DEADLOCK HANGS ON

British cabinet will be called upon TO
reach a decision on Wednesday TO con-
tinue negotiations with Sim Fein,
Ireland on the basis of "the consent OF
the governed" or issue an ultimatum
TO the Irish republicans to accept or.
reject the governments proposals
looking to a settlement of the Irish
question.
The reply OF Eamon de Valera and
his associates to the latest note from
Prime Minister Lloyd George, made
public here yesterday, did not break
off negotiations with the British gov
crnment, but it was admitted here
today that the situation had lost none
OF its gravity.
There appeared to be no thought of
retreat expressed in the Sim Fein
reply TO the prime minister, and it
seemed the situation remained as 1t
was before the last exchange of letters
between Dublin and London
There was disposition here today
TO think that the negotiations would
continue but it was apparent that the
parties in the controversy had not
reached anything like common under
standing which would serve as basis
for further parleys. Patience was
oounselled, however. in the hope that
some way out of the maze might be
found.
Desire Reflected.
Dispatches from Ireland would seem
10 reflect a desire of the Sim Fein TO
bring Ulster, or at least the counties
of Armagh and Fermanagh, into the
Irish republican fold Michael Collins,
minister of finance in the cabinet of
Eannnn do Ua1ara mr.
chief of the republican army, spoke at
Armagh and made an appeal to Ulster
TO stand with southern Ireland against
partition.
At the same meeting, Owen O.
Duffy. chief liaison officer for north
ern Ireland in the Republican army,
threatened Ulster with an increased
boycott if she did not come into unit
ed Ireland" adding, according to re.
port: IF that is unsuccessful, we will
bring lead against her"
Sir James Craig, premier of Ulster
has not shown the slightest indication
that he intends to meet the Sim
Fein leaders in peace conversations.
Urge Tolerance.
With the exception of the Morning
Post which said: 1T is impossible
TO make terms with a rattlesnake, -
London newspapers this morning
made United plea for forbearance in
hope that common ground might yet
be found. The Daily Telegraph said ::
MIR. De Valera's reply, as his pre-
vious letters to London suggests the
question whether he and his col
leagues are likely to appear in the
role of practical ond responsible ad-
ministrators.
1T has been evident that they would
be the last in the world to be instruc-
ted for the work of discussing a set
tlement on a toatally new proposal
and it seems plain enough that any
plenipotentiaries nominated by the
Sim Fein would be bound ultimately
by what those sending them declare tC
be an unalterable viewpoint.
The cabinet is best able to decide
where there is a possibility of pro
gress despite this letter, and the ma
tion is now completely at one witt
the government in its Irish policy"
Must Leave Door Open.
The last sentence of Mr.. De Va
lera's letter" said the Express
makes il imperative that the door t,
future negotiations should not b,
closed by us. Ireland is not an alier
enemy. We must look upon her a
an indulgent father regards way
ward son There must be no return o
conflict until all other means hav,
been exhausted.
The Daily Chronicle declared tn
Irish note was very cheerless docu
ment," adding: 1T could never hav
been written if the majority of tn
dali eireann really wanted peace, o
If 1t cared much about a settlemen
without return of warfare. but it re
mains to be seen how far the majorit
of the Irish people can influence III
, dali eireann's decision"
Hope that the British cabinet woul
have the moral courage to reply in
spirit of forbearance" was eXpresse
by the Daily News. while the Londo
Times declared:
when Mr.. De Valera suggests tn
appointment OF plenipotentiaries
negotiate on the basis of the conser
OF the governed Englishmen ar
forced TO conclude that either he
deliberately wasting his own time an
the governments time, or actuall
sees a possibility of coming to term
on that principle. If the latter is tn
case. the sooner his delegates com
to London or to Scotland the bette
Peace within these islands is an en-
which justifies patience to the poir
Of indulgence, and we would urge th
government to summon the Sim Fei
ENJOYS to council"