The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-29
OPTIMISM PREVAILS
DeValera Preparing to Send Com
 municatiOn to Lloyd George
By Associated Press

Dublin, July 2S.--An air of un- usual optimism prevailed in Dublin today. Ramon DeValera. the repub- lican leader. had an informal meet ing with some of his colleagues, after which it was confidently stated that a communication from MT. De Valera to Premier Lloyd George might be expected soon upon the proposed basis of a conference.
 The Dublin Evening Herald un- derstands that matters of tremendous fmpBrt were discussed by the Dali Eireann cabinet Wednesday and that the stage of discussions was passed and a fateful and happy decision reached"
 The next move in the situation IS likely to be another meeting in Ire land between Sir James Craig, the Ulster premier, and Bamon De Valera, the republican leader, 1t IS stated on good authority It was somewhat difficult to arrante fot this proposed meeting, but according to the informant, they have got over the fence"
 Report from the Sim Fein pris- oners indicate that there was been much improvement in their treat ment since the truce.
  condition among the rural poputatfor in large section of the cotton belt are confirmed by public statement from the public health service They indicate that due to the depressed cotton market many thousands of people are unable to sell their one product for money wherewith to ob- tain a necessary variety of whole some food, and that there is grave threat of an epidemic of pellagra.
 "Tt must bring shock to the American people to realize that 8 great section of their country which they are wont to think of as immune from such experiences, Is actually menaced with famine and plague. For that Is what it would be called 4 it should befall in any other country and we may as well give it its right name.'
 Therefore, be it resolved, that the President be, and he is hereby re- auested to report to the House of Representatives for it's information, if not incompatible with the public interest, all the fact within his know ledge upon which he based the state ments herein above set f.rth."
 Southerners in Congress declare that while pellagra might be on the increase, there Is no famine in the South, and much less in there starva- tion.
 In the Senate today the declaration of the President was heartlessly scored. It was admitted there is pellagra. It was admitted there is hard times" But 1t was denied that there Is starvation. It was declared on the other hand that the President spoke without authority when he pie tured the south as a section which could not in a monetary sense care for itself. At the same time there is no question that pellagra increases its hold.
 The increase in the number of cases in Alabama Is 500 per cent. The in crease in Mississippi is almost as great, and in all other southern states. with the exception of Florida. is pronounced. But southerners keenly resent the declaration of the President that the south is prostrate and requires the assistance of the Red Cross or other agency engaged in charitable dispensation.
 The resolution of Representative Byrnes will not prevail. The repub- lican majorities know that the Pres ident out of the bigness of his heart spoke too soon and too unadvisedly, but they do not intend forNany demo- cratic resolution to put the President in the hole" 9& ar