Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-07-14
NEITHER TAlKATlVE, FEARING
SLIP WOULD PROVE FATAL
Single Unfortunate Word Would
Imperil Success of Settle
ment Negotiations.
WILL wiruHoLD DETAILS
Result OF rarlcys Will Nor I,c pub.
iishcd Until Definite De-
ciSion Is Attained.
INN NssociatcI IT,. l.

siy Associated prcSsI
''Ni'oN, July i$.-A conversation
which. IL is hoped. may mark tho I,st
act OF one phase Of Ircland's trot,I,-
ious history and serve as a prcIudc
l" the lonc-souSht peace in the
Issand. IS TO take place i'm the dinuy.
old Cabinet room in Downing street
~ ':3o o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
when the British Prime Minister.
Lloyd George. and the Irish Republic
van leader. t:amonn de Valera, meet
III an EFFORT to clear the stage for
H"'dinS "thrc" party" peace con-
terence, III which Great Britain. the
Sinm Fcin aud Ulster will cndcavor
20 c"mrocs their differences
one OF the mots convincing lndica-
ti"nS OF the fcrvcncy OF The hone thar
'hc meeting VIII prcsaEc AN era OF
p'ac" Is the reluctance of both the
government ana tho Irish circles to
discuss probable details OF the in
'tial esSsion, both parties insisting
th"i III" situation is so delicate that
u single unfortunate word might
seriously prejudice the proceedings
or jc"rardizc whatever chance OF
ultimate success exists
"rr"pnrnnda Mills" silent.
Both sides have ''rropa ganda mills.
Fn'ly organized ana ready for busi-
ness, hut both are silent. This rc,i-
ccncc is heightened by the fact that
a breakdown Of til. negotiations
which are now finally under way.
would, in all likelihood, result III hit
Ter recriminatious. accusations and
possibly the resumption OF armed
conilici--an aftermath which. for Ire
land would be 81 worse state OF ar
LARS than if the negotiations had
never been instituted.
But. while there was little word
for the public regarding the proceed
inSS. the eve of the conference saw
intense activity in both camps The
Premier reviccwd the situation with
" iar2" Siam Of advisers In the soli-
tude OF his country home, while De
Valera spent the day and the even
ins in taking counsel with Arthur
Griffith and other aides accompanying
him. together with mauy London
partisanS. The bishops of Sou,hawrk
ana Portsmouth were among the call
rrs a, the West End Hotel, where
the Irish delegation has established
headquarters.
y" Preliminary Conference Held.
The government unotlicially sought
30 encourage the idea today that De
Na!craS party had already leeu in
close touch with the premier, even
'"ssesting that members of the party
had been at the cheducr's court dur
inG the afternoon, but De-sNaler;t's
denied 4 i,nr
any s"ch conference. The only s.<
change OF any sort between the 5Su
parties, II is said. WAS the premfer.S
letter suggesting the hour OF mccF
.ne and the Irish leaders reply agree
Ing
To question as 10 whether De
Nalcro would enter the conference
with a definite policy To which II.
was pledged to adhere one of his as
sociaics said 1.-TWO weeks ago any
OF us could have answered that query
briefly and certainly, but the posi-
ton is altered now"
Those who have followed recent
events closely interpret this as an in
diration that the Irish leader would
not press the claim for an indie
pendent rcputlic. but play cards In
IN eh"ri To learn the utmost Great
iiiiain was prepared to give. which
would he submitted to the Dan
Eir'ann for consideration or accept
anCc.
trniG Is ON Wny.
SIR James Craig. the Ulster pre-
mier, is crossing from Belfast to-
night and VIII be at hand III tho oh
StaclrS offered by the preliminary dis
cussions are cleared There is some
uhcertaintH whether the premier or
De Valera VIII have colleagues al the
hrSt meeting. The original intention
was 10 have an Introductory meeting
between the TWO men, hut of the rec
oSniHtd dangers OF a misundcrstand-
nS arising in such unaided discus
Si"nS II was considered probable to-
night that each OF the principals
would be accompanied by at least one
man. In that event Arthur Gritiith is
most likel yto act with his chief
To what extent the public viii he
permitted To know what transpires
within the conference chamber VIII.
he one q! the questions to be d.
tcrmned tomorrow. Both camns
manifest the belief thai the purpose
OF the conference would bcs, be-
served by withholding the details
until conclusive result is attained
Parliament session LASTS y Minutes.