New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-27
Further Parley Futile if
Secession Is Insisted
On, Says Premier in
Reply to Dali Eireann
Time Limit on
Decision Forecast
De Valera Note Refusing
ais Announces
Willingness to Fight
From The Tribune. Europsa~ Bureus

Fror. The Tyibune's European Bureas
Copyright 1921 New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Aug. 26.-The reply OF
Eamon de Valera, president of the
Irish republic" to Premier Lloyd
Georges refusal to let Ireland seceda
from the empire, was rejected to-day
by the Prime Minister and his Cab
met as unsatisfactory and extremely
disappointing. At two long sessions
the heads Of the London ministry
considered the note from the Sim
Fein leader and found in it nothing
that held cut any hope for peace
with Ireland.
The communication from De
Valera said that although the Dali
Eireann had refused the British
terms the Sim Fein parliament was
ready to appoint representatives to
negotiate for secure peace ION the
basis Of the broad, guiding principle
of government by the consent Of the
governed"
Farley Called Futile
Tonight the Premier dispatched
new communication to Dublin, ad-
vising De Valera that his attitude as
set forth in his letter was irrecor-
cilabie with the British position and
showed no conception of the true
basis Of peace. In view of the Dali
Eireann's unanimous rejection of the
peace formula offered Ireland by
Lloyd George, the Premier asserted
that further negotiations would be
not only futile, but dangerous, and
that the end of the truce would
ultimately be involved. The Brit
ish government, he said, could
not continue the exchange of notes.
until Sim Fein could comprehend
the extent Of the concessions offered
Ireland and some agreement could
be reached on the basis for negotia-
tions.
Lloyd George offered to meet De
Valera and his followers again in con-
ference, but as for the Sim Fein re-
quest for further discussions on the
basis of government by consent of the
governed the British Premier pointed
out that Ireland was not separats
nation, but a part of the British En-
pire and that the British peace offer
covered this request
No British government would ever
let Ireland secede, the Premier point
ed out. An offer giving her control of
her internal affairs had already beer
made and rejected, he said. AL the
world except Ireland. had recognized
the breadth of the concessions made.
he continued, and unless some common
ground were reached it would be USE
less to go on.
Talk of Republic Dropped
The British Prenier's reply to D.
Valera came at the end of a day OF
counsel, in which the extreu7e disap-
pointment of the government leaders
was Frightened only by the fact tina,
IN the most recent communication from
the Sim Fein leader there was no men
ton Of republic for Ireland. Lloyd
George met Lord Fitzalan, Viceroy Of
Ireland, and Sir Hamar Greenwood
Chief Secretary, in separate confer
ences before discussing the situation
with the Cabinet The prevailing opin-
ion in official circles was that the
Dali Eircann had closed the door or
peace. but that as long as it had not
been bolted some hope remained.
There is no expectation here to-nieh.
mat fremler Lloyd George will order
withdrawal Of the suspension Of the
government Of Ireland act or permit
the abandonment Of the martial truce
in Erin until he has heard again from
De Valera But the Prime Minister Is
understood to be preparing to fix
time limit within which the leaders a.
south Ireland must come to terms
Lloyd Georges reply was carried
from Downing Street by Art O'Brien
head Of the London branch of the Irisi
ef-Determination League. and Com
mandant Robert Barton, who acted as
emlssaries yesterday IN bringing De
Valera's note They called at the Pre-
mier's residence at dusk this evening
Lloyd George had delayed his depart
ure Tor Yorkshire, where he was to at
tend the wedding Of his secretary. 81,
William Sutherland, in order 10 fn;sh
The note and send it to Dublin. The
reply that comes to it must determine
whether all peace negotiations shall
end.
Whole Cabinet Shares Decision
At the first Cabinet meeting the
members discussed De Valera's note
The Premier called in Austen Chamber
lain, Edward Short, Sir Lamng Wor-
thington-Evans. H. A. L. Fisher ard
some other advisers for separate con
ferences. He then reassembled the
Cabinet as a whole after luncheon anG
worked out the plan of procedure
which the government will follow Il
De Valera fails to yield
While these conferences were in
progress in London exciting scenes
were beizg enacted -in Dublin, where
the Dali Eireann was reelecting De Va
lera as its president and choosing Other
officers: great ovation greeted the
words from De Valera, that "those who
thought they could divide ireland were
doomed to disappointment" Whateves
happened. he said. there would he m