The Washington herald., 1921-11-06

In connection with thu prime
ministers announcement that he
would not leave for America at the
present moment. the report came
from London 20 the, effect that the
next few days might see the resis-
nation OF the Lloyd George govern
ment At nrst glance this seems
extraordinary in view OF the vote
Of confidence which the house Of
commons gave the prime minister
last Monday. IL would seem that
q ministry which could overwheim
it's opponents by a vote Of f3s to ~
IL In no immediate danger Of fall
ing. The point Of the matter is, Of
course. that the rumor Of the pos
sible resignation OF Lloyd GeorEe
does not refer 20 the possibility of
his failure to command a majority
in parliament but to the posi-
biiity Of the failure of the Irish
negotiations.
In the event that the Irish con-
ference does not md q solution
of the problem which Il IL con-
sidering, the British government
would be obliged either TO resort
to q strong arm policy Of crush
ing our the rebellion in Southern
ireland, or OF Withdrawing entire.
~ and leaving Ulster and South
ern Ireland TO fight Il out be-
tween them. II seems probable
that rather than assume the re-
sponsibility for adopting either of
these alternatives, the prime mini
ster would resign. and the deter
mination Of a new British policy
would be the subject Of q gen
eral election. OF course Mr.. Lloyd
George might be restored to power
by such an election, but the re-
sponsibility for the line OF action
which he might adopt would rest
with the electorate
Regarded as Threat.
This talk Of voluntary resI-
nation, as well as several parts
of Mr.. Lloyd Georges speech in
defense Of his present policy, are
regarded as threats to both the
Sim Feiners and the Cnionists.
The premier devoted much time
and emphasis to the description Of
the dire results which would fol-
low the breakdown OF negotiations.
Indirectly he was making an an
peal to the extremists OF both sides
to be reasonable and TO agree TO
concessions His remarks might
be construed as a warning TO both
parties that IL they persisted in an
incorporating policy. their blood
would be upon their own heads
This Interpretation seems TO 1T in
with the unofficial reports OF the
present status of the Irish confer
ence.
According to these reports. which
may not be reliable but which NAV
be given more credence than mere
rumors, q plan of settlement has
been practically worked out where
by the Sim Feiners will acknowl-
edge allegiance to the crown, nut
at the price of having two coun-
ties now under the Jurisdiction OF
the Ulster parliament transferred
to the control Of the southern par
Lament. This apparently puts Il
up to Ulster to make concessions
1t is suggested that the trans
ferring OF these counties should be
subject TO a plebiscite. but IL the
Sim Fein figures are correct, there
is no question but that these coun-
ties would pass under the control
OF the Dublin parliament when il
is established.
When he appeared before the
House of Comomns to defend h $
policy. the premier was in his best
form, and he was able to dispose Of
his opponents arguments without
much trouble. Even when his own
speeches were used to controveri
him. he was able to repudIate the
charge of incons stency, at least 10
his own satisfaction and TO that oi
his supporters. One OF the amusing
incidents in the debate occurred
when an opponent OF the govern.
ment declared our empire was
built on considering Justice and
right. not on considering the opin-
ion OF other people" He was in.
terrupted at this point by T. p
O'Connor, who remarked That's
how you lost America"
Recognition Of Russtau Debit.
The statement Of NJ. Tchitcheriu
that the Soviet government is pre-
pared under certain conditions to
recognize the foreign debts Of the
former empire has again brought
into discussion the question OF the
recognition of the Bolshevik gov.
eminent It will be recalled that
when DR.. Nansen. as high com.
missioner of the International Red
Cross, signed an agreement with
the Soviet authorities reRardinE
international relief in Russia hs
was requested to endeavor 70 Sc.
cure from the European nations
credits to be used by the Russian
government for the purchase OF
seed, food, agricultural implements
and railway materials TO assist in
combating the famine and to pre-
vent its recurrence next year.
The league OF nations declined
to accede to DR.. Nansen's request
that II urge the governments &C
advance this credit and subse.
quently the British government an.
nounced in behalf OF the inter.
national relief committee, which
met In Brussels TO discuss the fam.
inc situation. that the question OF
credits to Russia could not be con.
sidered so long as Russia's obli.
cations to foreign nations and ma.
school that believes in Mr.. Wells
the school that regards Mr. Wilson