Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-10-25
CRISIS IN IRISH
PEACE CONFERENCE
OVER FOR PRESENT
London Papers Have Not Aban-
doned Hope for AmicabIe
Solution of Problem.
THE KING MAY INTERVENE
BY Associated Press to Every Evening

BY Associated Press to Every Evening.
London. Oct 25.-The view was ex-
pressed at Sim Fein headquarters
this forenoon that the crisis In the
Irish conference was over for the
present.
The Dali Eireann representatives.
who said last night that If the nego-
tiations were broken off today thew
would return to ireland tonight. were
this morning making no preparations
to leave.
The Catholic members Of the deIega-
( ton and Of its staff attended mass
celebrated at the Southwark Cathe-
dral for the late Mayor MacSwiney Of
Cork, who died year ago az the re-
suit OF his hunger strike in Brixton
prison
There was rtiinon current here
this morning that King George, whose
keen interest in a settlement is un-
questioned, as manifested in his ad-
dress last June in Belfast, might. II
necessary, use any influence he pos
sessed within the limits Of the British
constitution to harmonic the con-
ficting viewpoint in the conference.
There was no outward sign that such
intervention would take place, and II
was obvious the kings influence would
have TO be exerted with the greatest
caution. II at all.
1t was asserted by some newspapers
| that the Prime Minister had put the
direct question to the irish delegates
yesterday. whether they would rec
ognize allegiance to the king as part
of the Irish policy. the word king"
standing in this case as synonym Of
British supremacy with all IL entailed.
What answer. II any, was given was
not intimated.
Everything at present seems 10 de-
pend on whether a formula by which
differences may be reconciled can be
found. A committee understood to con-
sist OF the prime minister and Austin
Chamberlain, for the British govern
ment and Arthur Griffith and Michael
Collins. for the Dali Eireann. was ap-
pointed to discuss this matter, but
there was little speculation here today
on the form such an agreement was
likely to assume.
The Daily Mail declared a report
was current In the lobhies Of parIia-
'ment last night that a compromise
might be found If the Sim Fein dele
gates would agree and affirm that the
conference was to discuss the associa-
ton of Ireland with the nations max
ing up the British empire. It was SAID
that IN no case would the conference
consider separation.
II was feared that, being elected to
cffiee as Republicans. the Irish dele
gates could not finally accept a form
Of Irish government within the en-
pire without further reference to the
Irish people. Official authority for the
rumors ahoat last night was not.
forthcoming.
Unless the obstacle created by Ea-
mon De Valera's telegram to Pope
Benedict regarding King George 81
message 10 the Pontiff was speedily
removed. the Chronicle declared. the
conference must break down, while
the Daily News said the conference
may" continue. and granted there
was "at least a sporting chance" that
IL would remain in session until a
settlement could be reached.
The Daily Telegraph declared that if|
the negotiations lead TO a settlement.
Il will be in spite of Mr.. De Valera
and those for whom he speaks"
On the other hand the London
Times. and the Daily Mail, while rec
ognizing the delicacy of the situation.
encouraged hope that the conference II
would not break down.
Information relative to the trip of
Michael Collins to Dublin over the
weekend was lacking during the
night, it being assumed that he went
TO that city to confer with his col
leagues over the situation which arose
following the publication Of NJ. De
Valera's telegram TO Rome.
The Herald. however, today quoted
him as saying he had brought moth
ing back to London which would make
the situation more critical than 1t al
ready was, and that nothing had oc-
CURED during his visit in Irel nd to
Increase the difficulty Of reaching some
formula looking TO an adjustment or
the controversy.