The New York herald., 1921-07-05
irish PEACE PARLEY
MAKES LONG STRIDE
TOWARD AGREEMENT
Southern Leaders Reach
Working Basis on Finance
and Partition.
ULSTER MAY COME IN
Clearing Way for United
Country to Submit Plan
to Premier.
TO MEET AGAIN FRIDAY
Hope That Sir James Craig
VIII Go to Dublin and
Thrash Out Problems.
TO MEET AGAIN FRIDAY

Special Gable to THE New YORK HERALp.
Copyright, 1921, bv THE New YORK HERALD
DUBLIN, July 4.-The cause of peace
in ireland made definite step forward
to-day when conference between the
leaders of the two factions in the
south of Ireland reached several
fundamental agreements which It is
believed laid a concrete foundation
upon which negotiations for a final
settlement of the seven century strife
can be built.
For three hours Eamonn de Valera
and Arthur Griffiths, for Sim Fein and
four South Ireland Unionists; Earl
Middleton, Sir Maurice Dockrell. Sir
Robert Henry Woods, and Andrew
Jameson member of the South Ire
land Senate, discussed means for pos
sible negotiations with the Ulster Pre-
mier Sir James Craig, and eventually
with the British Government.
The conference adjourned to meet
again Friday. The greatest reticence
was maintained by those who partici-
pated as to the days proceedings. but
1t is understood on good authority that
basis of agreement had been reached
on financial questions affecting both
North and South Ireland and on dan
gers attending the continuance of a
policy of partition. 1t also is understood
that the way has been cleared by
which Ulster can now come forward
and join in the deliberations that will
make II possible for united Ireland
to place before Premier Lloyd George
its own programme.
IT also is understood that the post
ponement until Friday was for the pur-
pose Of affording time to renew the In
vitation to Sir James Craig TO Join the
conference. this time not only with the
signature of De Valera, but in the form
OF joint appeal from the South Ireland
faction.
This has inspired great optimism that
SIR James Craig will come to Dublin to
thrash the whole thing out.
To Meet British Half Way.
Sim Fein is ready to meet the British
Government half way In the matter of
making concessions. II is also ready to
go the limit upon the course opened by
Premier Lloyd Georges letter Those
attending the peace conference were
joyous tonight that start has at last
been made, although that road may yet
be long.
Their guarded statement fails 20 hide
their conviction that the South of Ire
land can agree II Ulster will come in.
Pointed question as to an Irish Republic
go unanswered. but the high circles OF
Sim Fein are happy over the days de-
velopments. and intimate that the ir.
reconcilables can become reconciled.
While the conference was going on
1000 persons we're massed before the
building and during the walt De Valera
issued proclamation for the people TO
honor the American flag as an apprecia-
tion Of the sympathy and help given
ireland by the United States. and also
because It was the recognized symbol
of the great principle OF freedom.
That government" he said. has de-
rived its just powers from the consent
of the governed"
American Flags Carried.
The men In the crowd wore small flags
in their lapels and the women either
wore flags or carried children who also
caught the spirit. and held spontaneous
street parades with the Stars and
Stripes. They didn't dare unfold the
Sim Fein flag. The American flag hung
from the windows OF the old Mansion
House.
In the midst OF this scene for long
time prayers were chanted in Impressive
unison-prst1ers for the guidance OF
those celebrating upon peace In ireland.
When the conferees appeared on the
steps Of the Mansion House. gaunt De
volera linking arms with the diminutivc
Griffiths, the cheering again broke out.
n was De Valera's first formal public
appearance since he was carried off a
prisoner. 10 Lincoln Jail, three years
ago. There WAS n rush to shake his
hand. and that Of Griffiths. who until
the other day was in jail.
De Valera spoke In Gaelic. which was
Greek 10 the majority. The British
Government had observed the truce well.
and there we're no police or soldiers pres
ont. When the Lord Mayor requested
that n path be made n stalwart Sim
Foiner called 100 men and boys out OF
the crowd by a signal. and the way was
cleared.
THE armored cars were not I'm sight.
and the Black and Tans walked the
streets In twos and threes unmolesteo'
---
,,...s..od ou Fourth pddc