Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-19


Dublin, Sept. 19.-Eamon de Valera
may call the Dali Eireann into session
10 deliberate on the situation brought
about by the latest note sent 10 Dublin
BY Prime Minister Lloyd George. This
communication WIS received yesterday
at an hour that prevented the Irish
Republican Cabinet from considering II
before today.
Readiness 10 meet De Valera or other
delegates from the Sim Fcin Gin the
capacity of the chosen spokesmen for
Southern Ireland was expressed by the
Prime Minister. but he refused to con-
fer with them as Representatives Of n
sovereign and independent state"
Lloyd George declared that the sec.
tion of the Sim Fein note dispatched
on September IL. which was construed
as placing the Irish delegates on a pnr
with ENJOYS from a separate Power,
must be withdrawn before a conference
vas possible. He pointed ont that when
De Valera went to London 70 begin con-
versations as to basis for settlement
Of the Irish problem he was received as
the "chosen leader OF the great maiori-
ty in Southern ireland" and that De
Valera accepted this designation.
Irish Seek to Avoid Breach
Persons in touch with the Sim Fein
leaders declare they are anxious to
avoid a breach and to do anything pos
sible which would bring about a con-
ference. but are determined to guard
against the abandonment Of principle
the REIMBURSEMENT of which they con-
slider would weaken the Sim Fein In
case Of renewed conflict.
The leaders were seeking today for a
formula that would make a conference
possible while safeguarding their posi-
tion, but there were some indications
that they might decide the correspond
ence would be best left as IL stands.
After De Valera on Saturday dis
patched a telegram to Lloyd George
stating that the Sim Fein had accepted
Inverness conference. but had merely
detailed the position he and his col
leagues were maintaining, it was be-
Eeved the way had beer prepared for
continuation Of the negotiations with
the British Government.
Yesterdays note from the Prime Min
lister. however. made it evident that
Lloyd George was insistent in demand
ing a clear declaration that ireland had
mot renounced her allegiance 10 the
British crown.
The note Of September l2. to section
of which the Prime Minister took cN-
ception. was approved by a unanimous
vote taken by the Dail Ereann. II
would appear. therefore, that another
~ ssion of that body must be called for
the purpose Of maintaining the position
sssumed in that note or drafting a new
communication which would. In some
way. meet the views OF he Prime Min
lister.
DE Valera Tried TO Explain
In Sim Fein quarters today it was
declared that De Valera in his tele-
gram of Saturday night did all he
could to explain the paragraph in
sense to make possible the holding OF
the proposed conference, pointing out
the misinterpretation which they con-
sidered Lloyd George had put upon the
republican leaders, previous communi-
cation.
The only Cabinet member at the
Mansion House during the forenoon
was Arthur Griffith, Foreign Minister,
who later was joined by George Gavan
Duffy. De Valera telephoned that he
would not reach the Mansion House
until 3 o'clock this afternoon.
Desmond Fitzgerald, Minister Of
Propaganda, when asked today as TO
when u reply probably would be sent to
Lloyd George. said he could give no
information on that point.
Lloyd Georges Telegram
Lloyd Georges latest telegram reads
Il have received your telegram OF
last night and observe It does not
modify the claim that your delegates
should meet us as representatives of a
sovereign and independent state.
You made no such condition in ad-
vance when you came 10 see me in
July. invited you then to meet me,
in the words Of my letter, as the chosen
leader Of the great majority in South
ern Ireland and you accepted that in
vitation.
From the very outset of our CON
versation ] told you that we looked to
Ireland to own allegiance to the
throne and TO make her future as
member of the British commonwealth.
That was the basis Of our proposals,
and we cannot alter it.
The status YOU now claim in ad
vance for your delegates is in effect a
reputation of that basis. am pre-.
pared to meet your delegation. as met
you in July, in the capacity Of the
chosen spOkesmen for your people to
discuss the association OF Ireland with
the British commonwealth.
My colleagues and | cannot meet
them az representatives Of n sovereign
and independent state without dis
loyalty on our part to the throne and
the empire. | must. therefore. repeat
that unless the second paragraph Of
your letter of the 18th IL withdrawn
a conference between us is impossible.