The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1921-07-13
TRUCE DECLARED BY
ENGLAND AND IRELAND

parauOnS Under way.
London, July 8.-A truce has been
declared between fEngland and Ire
land. 1t will take effect at noon on
Monday, next. Preparations are al
ready under way to end the hostili-
ties between the crown forces and
those actively engaged in the Irish
cause.
Developments leading to the truce
were divided between London and
Dublin. In Dublin. Eamonn de Val
era, Irish Republican leader, and his
National associates, renewed their
conference with the southern Union
lists. Earl Middleton, a Unionist who
recently conferred with the British
prime minister, read letter from
Mrs. Lloyd George to the effect that
hostilities must cease if negotiations
looking to peace were to succeedV
General Sir Ncvil MacReady, Brit
sh military commander in ireland,
cncc, and it was not many hours later
that the announcement was made at
the prime minister's official residence
in London, that in accordance with
the prcmer's offer and Mr.. dc Val
cra's reply, arrangements were going
forward for the cessation Of hostili-
ties from Monday noon.
The king Of England has been a
leading figure in the Developments
up to the present, while Gen. SHUTS,
the South African premier has acted
as the pivot on which tho peace
movement has turned. There s hope
in London. and in Dublin, too, that
peace must como out Of the forces
which are now engaged in seeking a
settlement.
Events moved swiftly today both in
London and Dublin. Not only has
Mr.. de Valera. contrary to the gen
eral expectation, consented to come
to London to discuss With Mr.. Lloyd
George the basis on which settlement
Of the Irish question might be reach
ed by the prime minister's proposed
London conference. but a truce has
been arranged to begin at noon Mon
day.
rms has give reasonable assur-
ahce that the original conference. to
which the primcemnister invited the
Irish Republican leader and Sir
James Craig, the Ulster premier, will
be held
the day started hopefully with the
King summoning the Ulster premier
TO conference at Buckingham wal-
ace. This, following upon the kings
conference yesterday with General
Jan Christian SHUTS, the South AZ
rican premier. is an indication 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 government
affairs. that does not prevent his ex
crcising great influence in the policy
Of the country.
General SmutS is going to Cheuuers
Court to spend the weekend, to-
gcthcr with the other prcmicrs of the
overseas dominions. with Mr.. Lloyu
George General SHUTS evidently is
the influence in the negotiations. per-
haps something more than mere in
flucnce. for, lacking his active aid It
Al
could have progressed as rapidly as
they did today. and the fact that the
prime minister has not stood upon
the dignity Of his office, but seem
ingly is willing to discuss with Mr..
de Valera the basis for a general con
ference is considered full OF hone
fulncsS.
The principal events Of this impor-
tant day. however, Oc ,urred not in
London but in Dublin, and the most
striking was the sensational appear
ance of General Sir Nevil MacRcady
the military commander in Ireland,
at the conference Of Eamonn de
Valera and leading southern Union
lists, after his aide-de- camp had been
sent in advance, presumably to ascer-
tain whether his participation would
be agreeable.
General MacReadys appearance
and long stay at the conference clear
ly had to do with Mr.. Lloyd Georges s
letter to Earl Middleton, one OF the
conferees, in which the prime min
lister said: