Evening star., 1921-11-08
british LEADERS
STUDY |R|SAISSUES
Lloyd George Holds Most
important Session With
Government Delegates.
By the 1ssoeia ted Prss.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, November s.-An i'm
portant meeting for consideration Of
In Downing Street today. the partici-
pants being the majority OF the
governments negotiators, including
Prime Minister Lloyd George. Win
ston Churchill. Austen Chamberlain.
Lord Birkenhead and Sir Gordon
Hewart. 1t 10 believed the meeting
mainly concerned itself with the legal
steps necessary to fulfill the gov
,ernment's pledge to Ulster that the
Ulster parliament will be enabled to
function properly and be provided
with funds
Action along these lines. it is
rointed out, does not seriously affect
the general negotiations for an Irish
settlement, for under the govern
ment's plan Ulster would be left a
local parliament with more power
than the present parliament has.
Sinn Feiners Await Offer.
Desmond Fitzgerald Of the Sim
F'ein delegation said, on behalf Of
himself and his colleagues. that they
were taking no part In the talks now
tn progress between Sir James Craig.
the Ulster premier. and Mr.. Lloyd
until the British prime minister could
put to them a practical proposition
recognising the unity Of Ireland.
Michael Collins and George Gavan
Duffy. the two Sim Fein negotiators.
who went to Dublin at the week end.
in London today. 1t is not expected.
however. that they will be asked to
further conferences with British rep
resentatfves before Friday, by which
time the consultations between Mr..
Lloyd George and Sir James Craig
ster cabinet, who have been summon
ed to London, will possibly have been
concluded.
Success Rests With Ulster.
Success or failure Of the pace ne
gotiations now rests with Ulster. in
the opinion Of Sim Fein delegates
here. who declare that their proposals
to the British premier with respect
to Ulster are liberal enough to allow
of settlement if Ulster chooses.
The serious view taken in official
circles is said to be due to the stiff
attitude assumed by Sir James in his
conferences with Premier Lloyd
George. He is represented as sig
nifying that the proposed bases Of
premier would. in his opinion. Sc
riously imperif Ulsterss rights Should
this attitude be upheld by the Ulster
cabinet and the government proposals
rejected, it is regarded as possible
that Mr.. Lloyd George will carry out
his threat to tender his resignation as
primo minister. Everything, conse-
quently. IL thought to hinge upon
these developments.
Tho members Of the Ulster cabinet
John Milne Barbour, the Marquis Of
Londonderry, U: n. Andrews and E.
A.. Archdale. They will be accom-
panied by Thomas MoIes, chairman Of
the committees Of the Ulster parlia-
ment.
Press Still HopefuL
Although the morning newspapers
Of the Ulsterites to London is a sig
nifcant step which cannot fail to
produce important developments. they
do not accept the view that it indi-
attitude Or adds to the acuteness Of
the situation. They point out that It
has been rec9Shized from the start
| that Ulster was not likely to mod
crate its known point Of view or meet
| suggestions Of compromise with
Nor is it thought surprising by the
newspapers that Sir James refused
! to assume the responsibility Of acting
! Assertions of listers determination
to adhere to the provisions of the
home rule act Of 1920 have Been so
numerous and emphatic, they say,
that ready acceptance Of the new
proposals would occasion great sur
prise.
What seems to have happened. ac-
! cording to several accounts, is that
. the Ulster premier. while modifying
; in no degree his known attitude in
! regard to listers rights, has merely
] consented to examine the proposals
! with his colleagues. Upon these pro
! posals. in the opinion of the British
| and Sim Fein negotiators, dominion
homo rule for all ireland might be
| based without infringing listers
! autonomy or offending Irish national
opinion.
Ulster Now Real Factor.
The outstanding fact. says the
| Times, Is that tripartite negotia-
; u. are now in progress and Ulster
no longer stands completely aloof.
! Ac -oruing to the Daily Mail, Premier
; Craig has been given a document set
; ting forth the terms agreed upon b..
{ the peace conference committee, anr
has been asked to submit Ulster
opinion OF these terms in detail, stat
ing how far she can come into agree
| ment with all or any Of them. Tn.