New-York tribune., 1921-10-11
Hopeful Spirit Continues
Prevalent i'm Both Cap
itals, but Prolonged
Discussion Is Expected
Ulster May Yet Be
Asked to Council
Release of Irish Prisoners
Likely To Be Among the
First Questions Raised
BY Arthur S. Draper


LONDON. Oct. 10.-The long awaited
oescs conference between the British
government and representatives of
Sim Fein opens tomorrow morning at
10 Downing Street. The people of both
nations are hopefully looking forward
to It to bring TO an end chapter of
bitterness and open conflict that has
lasted for generations.
There is a feeling of optimism to-
night in both the English and the Irish
camp, and although the conference
may last months, it is confidently be-
heved that all the differences between
the two countries will be ironed out
and that q settlement ultimately will
be resched
Premier Lloyd George is buried
under an avalanche of work and was
occupied nearly all day to-day with de-
tails OF the conference on unemploy-
ment On the eve of the Irish con-
ference he is compelled also to con-
slider various questions relating to the
Washington Conference on the Limita-
ton of Armament. Organized labor
hiss adopted rather independent atti-
sude and the Premier finds himself in
the midst OF one of his busiest weeks
since the war.
Britain Firm on Empire
1t is useless at this ataee to at
tem9t to speculate on the details of
the expected Irish settlement. The
the governments offer, the chief fca-
ture Of which s that ireland mus re-
main within tho British Empire That
IS the Fundamental proposition and no
amount cf heerlinc Will change it.
Arthur Griffith, founder of Sim Fein
and chief o. the Erish negotiators. is
ready with his rroersn', but il is sub
feet to radical alterations Undoubt
edlg the two sides viii find consid-
cradle gulf dividing them as they face
each other across the conference table,
but it is net 80 wide but that states
ma7s hin can trii~a it,
Lloyd George will make as few con-
:tssions as nossibie. 1t may be taken
for rfaDted and Griffith will demand
bread terms than even he expects the
goveEn'nent t. grant.
The Sian fein delegates have come
y" Ay-+.b- A.I no ttI-ElNF lN2I as 70
how lone TIRE conference will last. They
nay thar the length Of thor stav in
London depends entirely on the atti-
rude oi the British government. Their
cwn attitude appears TO be one of de-
saenmert. almost as r they were spec
laiors rather than participants in the
aeFe.opm ts ~ this al-important sit
uatsQn. lais ls wpha ized by the sur
iroundirss ia which they live. They
rave rented house in Chelsea. paying
ier y from their own funds. rs If " tn
an attemrt to avoid British no pitalitv.
y is situated in 4 quiet sort Of back
wafer Of the city in which the more
nan usually anomalous numbering Of
.ae nouses creates the impression that
.ne Sam fe ners are deliberate y try
'as 10 D. IN London, but not Of it.
Domestic Staff Gaelic
IN their quarters the Irish have sur
rounded themselves with their own at
hosphere Of aloofness, carrying their
independence even into their cooking
HTanCeinerfs for they are served by
1aeiic-speaking household staff The
,htre surroundings suggest that they
.sei themselves neutral visitors, with
sheH own position established, await
'fg the other sides initiative before
sho%ing their hand.
ms does rot mean that the Sinn
se,aefs are n ardent'y anxious for q
ss't-emenf bot i does mean that they
s's starting from position which
.ssnet Dc described as accommodating
aAr flFing rotating away beforehand.
ster VIII ne one Of the hardest
.s,soisms for The peace conference To
ss''s' beifaet !s in q constant state
=. sension, with scctarian strife likely
~ D'eak oat On considerable scale al
~ moment To-day, for examplc
eesfnts soldiers were fred on from
era fein headquarters and it took an
,sa.fsa s.rfsa ear with "a squad Of police to
A.sss ss order. TIE British govern
.-sas de.erat'on Includes strong sup.
sgffs - tae Ulster position. There
ssl0s q ae lively fVht when thcj
- w. IRE sirn Feiners, and it il
- = "ii''a tae range of probabilities
-. 'Afff may be friction among the
,sy.sAf tat.ees of the government
sss sssa selves before this question is set
lister Sentiment Divided
-. - l.ster Parliament, after ita un
-. i,ft opening. hiss been ad
'-'N'' if t~o months. subject K
f.sf'isssc so psss ,h,ssy