Evening star., 1921-11-30
LONDON NOW FEARS
EARLY IRISH BREAK
Government Said to Believe
War in Ireland Will Soon
Be Resumed.
by the Associated Press.

bg 'He AsSGlated Press.
LONDON. November 30.-Govern-
ment circles today expressed belief
that the Irish conference would break
down almost Immediately as a re-
suit of the difficulties which have
arisen and that the resumption of
armed hostilities could not be post
poned.
The alternative settlement plan
submitted by the government to the
Sim Fein representatives last even
ing included the necessity for def
mite undertaking by the Sim Fein to
take the oath of allegiance to the
crown.
Allegiance stumbling Blsck.
The Sim Fein has many objections
to the governments new plan, but
even if it agreed to discuss this plan.
it will not now give its assent to the
oath of allegiance proviso, it is stated.
Thus it appears. according to gov
ernment officials, that the breach in
the negotiations, if it comes now as
is feared, will take place over the
allegiance issue
There has been hope of prolonging
the truce and adjournIng the negotia-
tions for an additional period OF two
months, but this hope now has re-
ceded.
Plans for prolonging the truce in
Ireland. which both the British gov
ernment and Sim Fein desire, are
embarras ssed by the fact that about
5000 men and women are in intern
ment on charges of sympathy with
the Sim Fein movement Ihe sihh
Fein. it is agreed, could hardly be
asked to accede to continuance OF the
truce if it involved further intern
ment of their supporters. AS a re-
suit in the event of continuance, the
wholesale liberation of prisoners is
anticipated. only those convicted by
court martial being held and these
being treated as prisoners of war
Substance of New Terms.
Under the semi-official plan drawn
up yesterday the terms offered ireland
would be drafted in treaty form and sub.
p1itted to the.house of commons The
treaty would embody provisions for
an aIl-Ireland parliament, but would
give northwestern Ulster. as defined
by a boundary commission, permis-
sion to declare itself out, either at
once or after a limited period. 1t is
believed that Ulster. however. would
balk at the intended reconstruction
Of her boundary. although no lessen
ing of the total area under control
of the Ulster parliament is foreseen
here.
1t is pointed out that severance
from Ulster of Catholic districts
might be balanced by acquisition of
Protestant districts now assigned to
southern Ireland.
The cabinet counsel held yesterday
Immediately after Sir James Craig $
statement was made public, included
the prime miniSteS Austen Chamber
lain, Lord Birkenhead, Winston Spen-
Ger Churchill, Sir Gordon Hewart, Sir
Hamar Greenwood and Sir Laming
Worthington Evans. The conSulta ton
over the new Irish proposals laster an
hour. Later the new proposals were
communicate to the Irish delegates
Churchill Urges Patience.
Winston Spencer Churchill. colonial
secretary, in a speech in London last
night, spoke strongly in favor of not
allowing the Irish negotiations to
drop; he believed that hope had not
yet been extinguished.
Mr.. Churchill warmly welcomed the
sublime act of faith of President
Harding and Secretary of State
Hughes. waicn he declared promised
to bring about a triple understanding
between the United States, Great Brit
ain and Japan on Pacific problems
England, he said, would do everything
possible for its success.
The secretary advocated another
triple understanding between Eng
land, France and Germany, as the only
possible means which must be persist
entity pursued for the financial and
economic restoration of Europe.
A meeting of the British represen-
tatives in the Irish conference was
held today. 1t was presided over by
Prime Minister Lloyd George.