The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-07
THOUSANDS
IN PRISON
CAMPS To
|bE + REED
Content Spreads Over ireland
As Progress Toward Ideal
Gains impetus.

LONDON, Dec. liking George
today issued a decree Of amnesty,
granting liberty to all IriaA
prisoners. ~. 49,
It Is estimated that there are
between 1000 and 5000 Sinn
Fein prisoners in British detention
camps.
The first intimation that they
would be freed as a result of the
creation of the new Irish free
state was contained in an exclu-
sive Dublin dispatch to the Inter-
national News Service Tuesday.
British to Evaeuate.
Events began to move rapidly today
for setting up the new political ma
chinery of the Irish peace agreement.
Final plans were made for the meet
ing of the British and Sim Fein par
liaments to ratify the pact. and the
government began to arrange for the
withdrawal of all British administra-
tive officials from ireland.
The Irish Office will be discontinued
and Dublin Castle, long the seat Of
British military authority In ireland,
pC CN&CudlCO-
Local British government officials
in ireland will be removed, Including
about 1000 so-called civil servants.
The post Of chief secretary for Ire
land, now held by Sir Hamar Gresn-
wood. will be abrogated also.
Lord Fitxalan New Heal.
Irish questions will be handled
through the colonial office, this post
being held at the present time by Win
ston Churchill. r.
Lord F'.zaian, present British vice.
roy. may be the first British governor
general in the Irish Free State.
A special courier Is expected to ar.
rive from Belfast tonight bringing the
Ulster cabinets reply to the proposals
contained in the Irish peace settle
ment.
While the Ulster cabinet Mt Belfast
considered the terms OF the Irish
settlement today. final preparations
were made In London and Dublin
for convoking the British parliament
and Dial Eireann (Sinn Fein palia-
menU for formal ratification Of the
pact.
King George Presidcs.
King George presided over a privy
council which approved the procla-
nation for summoning the British
parliament into a special session next
Wednesday for approval OF the peace
| agreement. 1t is expected. Dali
Erieann at Dublin win approve the
treaty without opposition. te
The privy council was held in Buck
| ingham palace. All the members OF
the Cabinet were present.
Afterwards Michael Collins. one of
| the Sim Fein delegates, called on
| Premier Lloyd George at 10 Downing
| street, ION a matter of details
The Sim Fein delegates will return
| to Dublin tonight. a H
| Antagonism is expected from the
Ulster Unionists. The keynote of the
Obstetrics was sounded by their for
mer leader, Sir Edward Carson. He
declared:
Il never thought I'd live to see the
day Of such abject humiliation for
Great Britain"
The English press. without excep-
ton, hailed the settlement as one OF
tory of the British empire. The agree
ment met with the warmest approval
and Premier Lloyd George is accorded
a position equal to that OF Pitt.
Whether Ulster enters the agree
ment or remains out under her present
status. 1t Is generally believed by
British officials that the Irish free
state will step into her new world
position" on December 6, 1872, the
date under which the pact is effective
under the terms OF settlement.
IL Is taken as a .foregone conclusion
that Eamonn dc Valera. who has beer
lsnown To the Sim Fein as Presidsp'
a the Irish republic. will head the n.y.
sh government Article ! Of fhe