Evening star., 1921-10-01
ENGLAND HOPEFUL
AS IRISH ACCEPT
Bright Prospects for Peace
Loom as Conference Is
Agreed Upon.
BY tho Associated Press.

bs I'll" <iSsOcldteu tresS.
LONDON, october 1.-England was
today filled with hope that settle
ment Of the Irish problem would fol-
low the meeting of British cabi-
net members and the representatives
of Sim Fein ireland in this city on
Eanhonn De Valera, accepting Prime
Minister Lloyd Georges invitation to
the conference and the concilatory
tone of the latest exchanges between
London and Dublin seemed to promise
that out of the conference would
come an agreement which would
solve problem which has proved a
stumbling block for the ablest states
men of the British nation.
Lloyd George Praised.
London newspapers today did not
assume that settlement was GER
tain, and they recognized the way to
peace might be long and difficult, but
hope abounded, even if complete con-
fidence was lacking. Prime Minister
Lloyd George received pi Use in some
quarters for his skill md patience
in handling the troublesome prelimi-
naries. and there was hope expressed
that his ability in negotiations would
be equal to the task of reconciliation.
don Times deprecated the dominion
status as a fixed formula to which
the agreement must conform.
THE negotiations" the newspaper
declared. have already disclosed that
inasmuch as the idealism of the Sim
Fein is. above all else, racial in char
acter, the ultimate settlement must
be something new-a constitutional
innovation of its own kind Both the
government and the Sim Fein should
see before them as they go a new
refa uonshfp differing from all their
past experiences" n
-..---s~s-R -Recnrded Forward Step. --se@-;
The Daily Chronicle. which is re-
garded as very near Mr.. Lloyd George,
ference was very big step, because
1t presupposed a wish on both sides
to reach a settlement J.E=
The main danger to peace. in the
opinion of the Daily News, will not
lie in the conference chamber. but
In conditions in Ireland. and the
newspaper remarked two dangers al
ready evident-the incessant riotfng
In Belfast and the internment camp
1t IS not question how far sto-
ries of cruel treatment of interned
persons may be true" the newspaper
asserted. The point that matters is
that they are believed to be true in.
ireland. The mere existence of these
camps perpetuates belief. in British
tyranny. and IL they are not aban-
doned when the conference meets.
they will jeopardize the chance of
peace -s
IrelHad Pleased.
The Morning Post. which yesterday
described the prime minister's. letter
to Mr.. De Valera as fresh surrender
to Irish rebels" said:
The question now under discussion
is whether the community of nations,
known as the British empire is to CON
tinue to exist, and, thanks to the
government, even more than to Mr..
De. Valera, tie question is well on
it's way to a negative decision"
Editorial comment today avoided
discussion of how the republican
claims to which the dali eireann is
pledged can be harmonized with Great
Britain's unbending refusal of inde-
pendence. Reports from Ireland told
of universal popular satisfaction with
the reception of the invitation to the
conference, but it was declared the
extremist section of the Sim Fein
had recently shown impatience at
any suggestion toward the abandon
ment Of the claim of independence.
This section is yet to be heard from.
and it's leaders are asserted to regard
Mr.. De Valera's consent to enter the
conference under Mr. Lloyd Georges
terms as seeming to imply the aban-
donment of a treasured ideal.