The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-07
WHETHER CLOUDS BREAK DEPENDS ON ULSTER ATTITUDE
No Advance Toward Harmon izing Views Made at Con- ference of Lloyd George
 and Craig
By Associated Press


 London November e.-Storm clouds In the form of threatened hiatus in the Irish peace negotiation are loom ing on the British political horizon and whether they break depends on the attitude Ulster adopts toward the parleys now going on between representatives of the sim Feln and the government. Editorial writers sdevote columns today in attempts to forecast the outcome.
 Sir James Craig, the Ulster pre- mler, held two lengthy conferences with Prime Minister Lloyd George yesterday at the latters request, but the premiers are unofficially report ed to have made no advance toward an accommodation of their respective views. The conferences are supposed 10 have dealt with the proposal to enlarge the constitution and powers of the council of Ireland. delimination of the frontier between the north and south, protection of minorities and other possible bases for settlement which have been tentatively agreed upon by the British and Sinn Fein representatives.
 Not since the end of 1916." says the Sunday Times. has the political HfttaAAth btNA NV tO GilkI~ l cal, so full of hope, and at the same time SO uncertain and likely to fly off on unexpected tangents.
 We may be on the point of set- ting the Irish problem. On the other hand, disappointment, which Is still possible, would not only leave lre- ! land Tn a worse state than before. but would have far-resching effects on our own domestic polities-split npfonfQf rtN al tatt i Premier Lloyd George into temporary retirement or put him at the headsof new coalition" Ns
 The News Of the World. which k credited with enjoying especial favor in Downing street says the Irish 1 conference is at the cross roads, and that. should MT. Lloyd George be nn- able to bring about a settlement Ion eards"--that Is on the basis of the terms already laid down--he may re- sign. The newspaper says 1t under stands that the premier has cancelled his arrangements for a weekend so- torn at Chequers Court, his country estate. so as to confer with cabinet members "concernlng situation of deepening gravity"
 The Weekly Dispatch also asks whether Ulster will take an attitude which will permit peace in Ireland. 1t heralds as two events "of the highest interest" the re-entrv into the political arena Of 4. Bonnar Law. and a meeting. hitherto unmentioned In the press of Mr. Law, viscouut Birkenhead and Sir George Younger, tory party manager.
 1 We have thus,' says the news- l paper "a full dress conference Of the former leader. prospective leader and manager Of the conservative l party"
 l Recalling that both Mir. Law and Visconnt BIrkenhead have pledged themselves 10 Listers support, the Weekly Dispatch declares that. If 1 Ulster refuses what Premier Lloyd George thinks are reasonable terms he may resign and leave the tories to face the situation. Should u;ster prove the stumbling block 10 prevent m Irish settlement and Mir. Lloyd George resign without going to vot- CTS on the issue, the newspa per says. the coalition would be in obvious danger of breaking up. The sequel. it adds, would be that tory pre- mier would assume the office, even if only temporarily.
 Situation Unchanged London. November 6,-The Irish situation has undergone no change today The prime minister had & brief consultation with Austen Cham berlain this morning, after which he went by automobile to Chequers court. According to present arrange ments he will return to London to- morrow morning to hold a cabinet meeting and possibly also to consult further with Sir. James Craig, the Ulster premier.
 The London correspondent of the Belfast Telegraph, who is regarded as well informed on the Ulster side of the negotiation in a dispatch to his paper says that although nothing has occurred materially altering the sit- uation 1t would not be aurpri4ing If the Ulster premier and his colleagues should be called Into the conference imm mediately for the purpose of re- viewing the position of northern Ire land.
 This Is considered a significant statement tending to show that the Ulstcrites are disposed to consider the basis agreed upon by the confer ence committee.
 
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