The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-07-14
British Press Turns
From Contemplation
of Harding's p e a c e
Plans to Discussion of
t h e Possibility Of
Peace Being Restored
In Ireland.

London, July 14.-Lradcrs of the
British government and the Irish Sim
Fein met i'll this city today and took
the first step in negotiations which,
j. was hoped might dissipatc the
mists of hostility and prejudice which
for decades have separated Albion and
Erin
Eamonn de Valera. the Irish Repub-
lican chieftain and Prime Minister
Lloyd George had planned carefully
for the meeting, which was looked
upon as possibly the first stage Of a
rev and brighter epoch in the rela-
tiOnS Letween the two peoples.
The meeting was simply to prepare
the way for further and more impor-
Il mt discussions. but the fact that it
was held ut all was looked upon as an
earnest OF the gold intentions of the
participants
Mr.. Llyod George spent yesterday
at Chequers Court. his country home.
with Il number Of advisers. and it was
assumed they talked over the prOce-
Gure to be followed at todays meet
ing. Mr.. de Valera also held long con
iercnces with prominent Irish Rcpub-
licans, but it was indicated lie would
enter the conference with no fixed
formula or policy.
Ready TO Consider Anything
It. was said he was ready to talk
over the situation and consider any
suggestions that would be made re-
gHrding a triunc parley in which the
Sim Fein Ulster and the British gov
Crnment would take part Bat it was
probable that definite decisions might
lot lie reached until after Mr.. de Val
era had returned to Dublin and there
taken counsel with the Sim Fein par .
lament
Sir James Craig, premier Of Ulster,
who has been outspOken in his oppo-
stion to parleys between the govern
ment and Sim Fcin leaders. was
ready today to act as spokesman for
The north Irish delegation, should he
he called on for Il definition OF opinion.
Iodays conference brought into the
foreground the irish question which
had been eciipsed for several days by
President Harding $ proposal to the
allies that they would hold a meeting
Tor the discussion OF disarmament
ard Pacific problems. EchoS of Mr..
Harding proposal and its ready ac-
tcptance Ly Great Britain. France
and Italy, We're found today in rather
acrimonious exchanges between many
newspapers over the personnel of the
british delegation to be sent to Wash
DgtOn. Confidence was felt in uttiCiai
circles thai Japan's seeming delay in
answering President Harding note
Was due merely to the clearing away
of farmalities at Toxic.
Personal Interview
Ii was announced from de Valera's
headquarters that this afternoon $
conference would take the form ut 4
personal interview between the Brit
ish premier and Mr. de Valera, no one
else being present.
Reports published today that an
agreement was reached at the recent
Dublin conference between Eamonn
de Valera and the southern unionists
regarding the terms which would be
demanded from the British govern
ment at the conference in London
We're categorically denied today by
Secretary Childers, OF the visiting
Irish party.
The published report to which Mr.
Childers referred. alleged that the
terms of the provisional agreement
included, besides the provisions of the
present Government of Ireland act,
the following:
A dominion status for Southern Ire
land. Southern Ireland to be exempt
from imperial taxation and to have
full fiscal autonomy. Northern Ire
land to remain as it is at present.