New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-09
Promise Given by Lloyd
George ON Condition
That Sim Fein Leader
Joined i'm Conference
King Calls Craig
I'm Consultation
Settlement Was Forecast
When Gen. Macready
Met Unionist Chiefs

LONDON, July 8 (By The Asso-
ciated Press) A truce in Ireland,
to take effect at noon next Monday,
was declared early to-day after
Eamon de Valera, president of ssthe
Irish Republic" had accepted Pre-
mier Lloyd Georges invitation to an
Irish peace conference in London.
Preparations are already under
way in Sim Fein ranks as we'll as
British government circles to end
hostilities.
Premier Lloyd George, in letter
to Earl Middleton, Southern Union
ist, who was conferring with De
Valera and other factional leaders
at the Mansion House in Dublin, said
the government realized the neces-
sity of hating bloodshed if peace
negotiations were to succeed. He
added that as soon as De Valera
accepted the invitation to peace
conference the British crown forces
in Ireland would be ordered to sus-
pend operations.
DE Valera Accepts Overture
De Valera, in letter to the Pre-
mier, sent after the conference to-
day in Dublin, accepted the invita-
tion to the conference, saying that to
end the centuries of conflict was the
genuine desire of the people of Ire
land. Announcement of truce was
made tonight at 10 Downing Street,
the Premier's official residence.
De Valera's letter to the Premier fol-
lows:
"Sir: The desire you express on the
part Of the British government to end
the centuries of conflict between the
people of these two islands and to es-
tablish relations of neighborly har-
mony is the genuine desire of the peo-
pie of Ireland.
Il have consulted with my colleagues
and secured the views of repre-
sentatives of the minority of our na-
tion in regard to the invitation you
have sent me. In reply, desire to say
l am ready TO meet and discuss with
you on what basis such a conference
as that proposed can reasonably hope
to achieve the object desired.
Il am, sir,
Faithfully yours,
"EAMON DE VALERA"
Cr Il
Lloyd George said:
"The government fully realizes IL
would be impossible to conduct nego-
tiations with any hope of achieving
satisfactory results if there is blood
shed and violencesin Ireland 1t would
disturb the atmosphere and make ths
attainment of peace difficult
"As soon as we hear Mr.. De Valera
is prepared to enter into conferences
with the British government and to give
instructions to those under his control
to cease from all acts of violence wa
should give instructions to the troops
and police to suspend active operations
against those who are engaged in this
unfortunate conflict"
King Confers With Craig
The day began hopefully with the
King summoning Sir James Craig, the
Ulster Premier, to q conference at
Buckingham Palace. This, following
upon the Kings conference yesterday
with General Jan Christian SHUTS, the
South African Premier, is an indica-
ton of the intense interest the King
is taking in the Irish problem, and.
although under the traditions of the
British constitution the King has no
real voice in the direction of govern
ment affairs, that does not prevent his
exercising great influence in the policy
of the country
General Smuts is going to Cheouers
Court to pass the week end, together
with the other premiers of the over,
seas dominions, with Mr. Lloyd George.
General Smuts evidently is the infiu.
ence IN the negotiations, perhaps some
thing more than mere influence, for.
lacking his active aid, it is hardly con-
ceivable that events could have proc
gressed so quickly as they did to-day.
and the fact that the Prime Minister
has not stood upon the dignity of his
office, but seemingly is willing to dis
cuss with Mr.. De Valera the basis for
a general conference, is considered full
of hopefulness.
The principal events of this i'm
portant day, however, occurred not in
London, but in Dublin, and the most
striking was the sensational appearance
CT General Sir Nevil Macready, the mill
itary commander in Ireland, at the con-
ference of Eamon de Valera and Lead
ing southern Unionists.
Macready's Presence Significant
General Macready's appearance and
long stay at the conference clearly had
to do with Lloyd Georges letter ia
Earl Middleton, one of the conferees, in
which the Prime Minister declared that
1t would be impossible to conduct nego-
tiations with any hope of achieving
satisfactory results if violence in Ire
land continued; and also that the Brit
ism government would give instructions
to the troops and police to suspend
- r -