Evening star., 1921-12-07
KING PUSHES PLANS
FOR PARLIAMENT'S
ACTION on IRELAND
CONTINUED from First Page.)


be troubles and difficulties ahead"
In other quarters It is said that
the attitude Of the Irish extremists
is causing anxiety to the delegates.
These warnings, however, are ac-
companied by expressions of hope and
belief that the difficulties can be
overcome.
The only oppositing voice of con-
sequence thus far is that of Sir
Edward Carson, former Ulster leader
who Is quoted by the Morning Post
as declaring: Il never thought that
should live to see q day of such
abject humiliation for Great Britain"
The Westminster Gazette expresses
the opion that the Irish republicans
nestry Immediately. The old rumor
is revived that one Of the Kings
sons may be appointed the first
governor general of Ireland.
Premier's Success Remarkable,
Those best informed of the proceed
ings in the final momentous meeting
Of the conferees lay stress on the
part taken by the prime minister,
picturing the little Welsh Napoleon"
ment through the long hours. using
all the powers of his magnetic per-
sonality on the little group of hag-
gard, almost departing men, upon
whose shoulders rested the fate of
the negotiations.
Hope had generally been abandoned
ana the Sim Fein representatives
were preparing to leave for home AT
ne SIM Fem headquarters the cx-
,,e"fation had been expressed that
the truce would collapse and thai
nghtIng would be resumed within
week. No other alternative could be
seen. Still Mr.. Lloyd George. fresh
from his conference with the king, TO
whom the premier outlined the des-
perateness of the situation, refused
to accept defeat and battled on. At 3
o'clock the English and Irish dele
gates met at the premier's residence,
presumably to discuss the future re-
lations Of Ireland and England in
view OF the then apparent collapse of
the negotiations. namely, whether
war was Inevitable.
Out of this seemingly hopeless sit
uation, however, grew an agreement
which appears to have been as un-
expected by the conferees as by the
public. For eleven house almost with
out cessation, the delegates debated
the position, all anxious for peace
which ii could be achieved until the
marvel was worked by the advance
ment of terms which cleared the at
mosphere and ultimately resulted in
All understanding.
. The general belief however, is that
Lord Birkenhead. who came to the
governments rescue when the ques-
tion of renewal of the Anglo-Japanese
treaty had reached critical stage. is
this time responsible for the formula
nv mi inp hn 10
Austen Chamberlain, who is leader
of the government in the house of
commons and of the unioniSt party,
speaking at Birmingham last night.
expressed the conviction that before
Christmas peace and good will would
be established between the parent
races of the British commonwealth"
and he appealed with emotion to
northern Ireland to join the new free
state.
Historic Scenes Enacted.
Theatrical effect was added to the
great drama staged in Downing
Street Immediately after the signing
lof the treaty, which took place at
2:SO o'clock in tn emorning. When
it became apparent that an agreement
might be reached, the prime minister
caused instructions to be issued for
a special train to be held in readiness
to take a messenger to Belfast This
was necessary, as Mr.. Lloyd George
had promised Sir James Craig, the
Ulster premier, that either new pro-
posals would be in the latter's hands
by Tuesday, or the negotiations would
be finished.
Immediately the agreement was
signed one of the premier's secretaries
rushed to the station. and the train
sped toward Holyhead on a nonstop
run. At Holyhead a destroyer was
waiting, and it conveyed the secre
tary to Belfast.
toric cabinet room, the prime min
lister and Arthur Griffith being the
first to sign for either side, after
which all the members shook hands
all around with the greatest cordi-
ality. At 3 o'clock in the morning
the premier sent a special message
to the king at Sandringham and also
a copy of the agreement.
Carson Flags Agreement.
Il never thought that 1 would ever
live to see such day of abject hu-
initiation for Great Britain" said Sir
| in commenting on the terms of the
Morning Post.
One Important phase Of the Irish
situation was not mentioned in the
peace terms, namely. the release of
political prisoners, of whom there are
som 5000 still imprisonL 1t was
understood today that this matter
was left to be adjusted after ratifica-
ton Of the terms by the British and
; Irish pariiaments.
While no official statement was
forthcoming, the belief was ex-
pressed in political circles that
amnesty would be declared as a
matter of course. Whether those
actually convicted of arson and
other crimes would be included in
the amnesty was said to be open to