The New York herald., 1921-06-29
DE- VALERA INVITES
ULSTER LEADERS TO
PRELIMINARY PARLEY
Wishes to Try to Solve
Irish Problems Without
Outside Aid.
REPLIES TO PREMIER
Asks for Time to Consult
Minority Before Giving
Final Answer.
INSISTENT UPON UNITY
Craig Willing to Meet at
Downing Street, but Will
Not Have Hands Free.
[NSISTENT UPON. UNITY

Special Cable to THE NEW YonK HERALD.
Copyright, 1921. by THE New YonK HERAr.n
New York Herald Bureau.
London. june g.
The Ulster problem" again looms
I'm a sinister fashion across the path of
Irish peace. After a consultation with
the Ulster Cabinet Sir Jams Craig,
Premier of Ulster, announced that he
would come to Downing street to con-
fer with Eamonn de Valera, 'Presi-
dent of the Irish Republic" in answer
TO the invitation of Premier Lloyd
George. But Belfast dispatches made
it clear that he will not come with his
hands entirely free. Ulster will insist
on mo separation from the British
Empire and no Catholic domination
over the North of Ireland"
While De Valera has not yet made n
6etinite answer. he has sent brief
reply to the Prime Minister in which
he expresses an earnest desire for
peace that will be lasting. However.
imperative in attaining that goal.
De Valera's message says: "1 am
consulting with such of the principal
representatives of our nation as are
availa Bile. We most earnestly desire to
help in bringing about a lasting peace
between the peoples of these two ISL
ands. but see no avenue by which 1t
can be reached If you deny Ireland es-
sential unity.
Before replying more fully to your
letter am seeking a conference with
certain representatives of the political
minority I'm this country" =
The last section OF De Valera's mes
sage Is one that contains hope. 1t has
again and again been said In Ireland.
both in the north and south, that IL
The two parts were left alone they would
reach settlement.
II was learned to-day that Sir James
Craig has been seeking conference
with Mr.. de Valera for many days.
There may be more behind Sir James
Craig's position than the mere beating
of Orange drums There Is little doubt.
Lloyd George will be Obliged to sustain
its contentious.
DE Valera Asks Conference.
Mr.. de Valera has nov written to Sir
James Craig. Earl Middleton, who in
1920 advocated one parliament for
Southern Ireland. with the six Ulster
counties under the Imperial Parliament.
Sir Maurice Dockrell. M. p. for the Rath-
mines Division of Dublin County. who
was returned as Urionist supporter OF
the coalition Government except as to its
Irish policy Of home rule Sir Robert
Henry Woods. member of Parliament for
Dublin University. and Andrew Jameson.
a member of the South Ireland Senate.
asking them to meet him at Dublin
Mansion House on Monday for con-
ference.
TO these men De Valera said: "The
reply which as spokesman for the Irish
nation shall make to Mr.. Lloyd George
will affect the lives and fortunes OF the
political minority OF this island no less
than those of tho ma jority. Before send
ing that reply, therefore. would like to
confer with you and learn from you,
first hand. the views OF a certain section
of our people whom you are represent
ing. am confident you will not refuse
this service to Ireland and shall await
you at Mansion House, Dublin, at IL
o'clock Monday. In the hope that you
will find It possible to attend"
Government Not Aversc.
The Government here is not averse to
this preliminary effort OF the leaders
TO work out Ireland's own differences
among themselves. II Il admitted that
II may be possible for that sort OF
conference TO reach an understanding
that VIII satisfy the apparently divergent
aims OF the north and south.
Privately the leaders OF both sides adj
mi; that they are willing TO compromise
~ they can only find terms which will
sssuage the virulent partisan spirit that
has been aroused among their respective
followers.
In addition to the hopeful indlca ton
OF these developments Downing Street
has received confidential informa ton
which leads 10 the belief that DE Valera
will accept the invitation. He may ask
truce. which Cnder conditions may be
granted.
Tho Government s willing to agree
to n cessation In searches and arrests
and the killings that usually result from
these measures if DE Valera can quar-
antee that the Irish Republican army
also will cease It's attacks on the crown
forces Anything like n demand for the
withdrawal OF all crown forces or even
the withdrawal OF the Black and Tans
is sure to be refused.
The Government also Is willing to per-