The New York herald., 1921-05-17
IRELAND REFUSES PARLEY
UNLESS 1T GETS FREEDOM

fuse and 1t was a part o. Dublin un-
known to the correspondent We were
ushered into a darkened drawing room
After q minute or two the president
entered. He could not be recognized as
the Same De Valera who was seen IN
New York last year.
II would BE unwise 10 specify. but his
disguise was very clever. The moment
ne spoke. however, he was identiied
Immediately. The talk lasted hal. an
hour with Do Valera rapidly weighing
Lloyd oeorgo's words and going over
the points subsequently submitted IN
writing When Wa were leaving there
we're mysterious number OF clean
looking youngssers promenading on the
opposite side Of the street with their
hands IN their pockets. but otherwise
II might have been a quiet home IN
F1atbush with the family fivver start
Ing out TO take the evening ar. And
with the emissarfes again lodging .hs
raiding parties we, returned /, took
another three days. to get an answer
20 the auestionnaire left with De Valera
There seeing Ettls likelihood OF the
meeting Lloyd George desired being
held Investigation here indicates that
Ireland win b behind De Valera N hia
stand On the other hand. a wide
knowledge Of British opinion assures
that Il win be impossible for LLOYD
George or any other statesman now 70
admit challenge. 70 Britain's aegis
that implies q separation OF what they
cons'der part OF their empire.
Election Aids sinn Fein.
This weeks elections IN southern Ire
land further strengthen the Sim Fein
attitude against a compromise. The
coming elections in Ulster may, or the
other hand. ease the situation. as Sim
Fcin believes IT'S candidates win make
an exceptional showing thcre. Invests
CATION OF the Catholic counties Tyrone
and Fermanagh and the presence OF
five independent candidates on tho
One stanch Unionist told THE new
YORK HERALD correspondent .hat N
County Down he believed that Sim
Fein would get at least twenty out Of
fifty-two seats In the northern Parlia-
mont While that leaves working
majority of twelve Unionists there. the
minority would be very impressive IN
its abstention. ,Abstainers. north and
south. constitute the new Dali Eireann.
In other words. the Sim Fein president
has practically submitted his policy to
test in a general Irish election.
In the south the overwhelming ma
5ority OF 1A TO four is not SO impress
sive as the fact that the majority at
tanned through coalition OF all Irish
parties. such as the home rulers, donin-
ion home rulers, peace with Ireland
men, and all the old Irish leaders re-
fuse to interfere In the elections against
Sim Fein. While the charge OF IN
timidation might be levelled against
Sim Fein, II takes only casual glance
at Dublin, swarming with armored cars.
lorries. British rifles and machine guns,
to convince that the score must be
fairly even. even II intimidation were
a factor at all.
More Punishment Forecast.
1t is current talk in Dublin that If
Sim Fein refuses the new peace offers
from Westminster. Ireland will be
treated to a new dose of punishment and
repression beside which previous meas
ures have been mild. A part Of this
programme is thorough reform OF the
auxiliaries or their elimination from the
country. But with the velvet glove. 1t
IL suggested the grip will tighten ever.
The Irish leaders are facing this PROS
pect calmly. They- declare they know
they can't defeat the British Empire.
but are equally sure the entire forces OF
the British Empire cannot wipe out Ire
lands spirit.
There Is some disposition among ousi-
ness men and country people to urge
q compromise. but 1t is quite apparent
that the controlling sentiment. especially
among the women, is that they would
rather see the fight 30 on until their
sons are grown than to compromise.
It must be emphasized in connection
with the interview that Mr.. Giynn's part
was purely fortuitous. While in London
he met a number of London editors and
Philip Kerr, Lloyd Georges alter ego.
It was then suggested that he meet Mr..
Lloyd George and discuss the Irish situ-
alton. -----------e