Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-11-07
sToRN CLOUD, LuO3I
IN IItISN NEGOTIATIONS

SToHN CLOUDS LuO9i
IN IRISH NEGOTIATIONS
LONDON, Nov. 6.-Storm clouds. in
the form OF u threatened hiatus In the
Iris Rsa ca, ,.le y y t.atioRs,- are Looming
on the British political horizon. ana
whether they break depends upon the
attitude Ulster adopts toward the par
leys now going on between repre-
sentatives OF the Slim Fcin and the
government. This Is the almost
unanimous opinion OF the Sunday
newspapers. the editorial writer's OF
which devote columns today In at
tcmpts 10 forecast the result.
Sir James Craig. the Ulster Pre-
mier. held two lengthy conferences
with Prime Minister Lloyd Gcorg
yesterday at the lattcr's request. but
the Prcmicrs arc unoHlciaily reported
to have made no advance toward an
accommodation OF Sheir respective
views. The conferences are supposed
to have dealt with the proposal to en-
large the constitut!op and powers OF
the Council of ireland. dclimination
OF the frontier between the North
and South. protection OF minoritIes
and other possible bases for settle.
agreed upon by the British and Sim
fcin representatives. t
situation Is Critical.
Not since the end of 1916" says
the Sunday Times. has the political
situation been so interesting, SO
critical. so full of hope and at the
same time so uncertain and likely to
ny off on unexpected tangcnts.
we may be on the point of set
Ting the Irish problem. On,the other
hand. disappointment, which is still
possible. would not only leave Ire
land in n worse state than before.
bat would have far-reaching effects
on our own domestic politics-spllt
the Unionist party and either take
Premier Lloyd George into temporary
retirement or put him at the head
of new coalition"
The News of the World, which Is
credited with enjoying especial favor
in Downing Street. says the Irish
conference is at the crossroads. and
that. should Lloyd George be unable
to bring about a settlement ION
cards"-that Is on the basis of the
terms already laid down-he may re-
sign The newspaper says it under
stands that the Premier has Cancelled
his arrangements for weekend so
journ at Chcqucrs Court, his country
estate. so as to confer with Cabinet
members concerning a situation of
deepening gravity
Pledged to Uistcr's SUPPORT.
The Weekly Dispatch also asks
whether Ulster will take an attitude
which will permit peace in Ireland
1T heralds as two events "of the high
est interest" the re-entry into the
political arena OF a. Bonar Law and
a meeting. hitherto unmentioned in
the press. of Mr.. Law, Viscounl
Birkenhead and Sir George Younger
Tory party manager.
1--WE have thus" says tho news
paper. "a full-dress conference of the
former leader. prospective leader and
manager Of the Conservative party"
Recalling that both Mr.. Law and
Viscount Birkenhead have pledged
themselves to listers support. the
Weekly Dispatch declares that IL W.
ster refuses what Premier Lloyd
George thinks are reasonable terms,
he may resign aqd leave the Tories
TO face the situation. Should Ulster
prove the stumbling block to prevent
an Irish settlement, and Lloyd George
resign without going to the voters on
the issue. tho newspaper says. the
coalition will be in obvious danger
of breaking up. The sequel. it adds.
would be that a Tory Premier would
assume the Office, even IL only tenn,
porarily.