Evening star., 1921-07-07
Make important Concession
in Order to Advance
Settlement Prospects.
DE VALERA REQUESTED
GEN. SMUTS TO MEET HIM
Important Conference in Dublin
Tomorrow-King Shows In.
tense Interest.
By the Associated Press.

LONpON, jury Tine prime MIN
lister, Mr.. Lloyd George, stated in the
house of commons today that he under
stood Gen. ]. c. Smuts. the South Afri-
can premier, went to Ireland on Tues
day last on the invitation Of Eamonn
de Valera, the Irish republican leader.
Asked whether he had conferred with
Gen. SHUTS before the latter went to
Ireland, the prime minister replied
laconically that he was seeing Gen.
Smuts constantly.
In answer to another query, Mr..
Lloyd George said none Of the dominion
premiers would attend, the proposed
Irish conference in London, to which
Mr.. De Valera and Sir James Craig,
the Ulster premier, had been invited.
"Big Four" Still Hopeful.
Aside from this statement there was
virtually nothing today to indicate
what progress had been made by the
big four" comprising Mr.. Lloyd
George. Gen. Smuts. Sir James Craig
and Earl Middleton, prominent
southern unionist, toward reaching
a solution of the Irish question. There
was. however. official reaffirmation of
the statement that the outlook was
hopeful and that nothing had tran
splred which seriously jeopardized the
prospects Of a settlement.
Gen. Smuts was received in audi
ence this morning by King George.
the latter having shown keen desire
to be informed of every move in the
direction Of peace in Ireland. Gen.
Smuts gave the king the impressions
he gathered while in Dublin. the au-
dience lasting half an hour.
Sim Feiners Changed Demands.
Gen. Smuts has been invited to at
tend Fridays meeting in Dublin be-
ern unionists. but thus far has not
definitely answered yes or no. merely
observing that he failed to see what
useful purpose his attendance would
serve.
In an authentic quarter 1t was de-
and acts of the Sim Fein leaders were
considered to indicate a recession from
their demand for an independent Ire
land and to imply a willingness to
accept as talking basis a united
Ireland" its legislative and governing
machinery to incorporate under O. dif.
ferent name the, Ulster 6eaiameht.
which would have the approximate
status of a provincial assembly. A
similar body, under such an arrange
ment, would be created in the south,
with some form of all Ireland" as
sembly, consisting Of upper and lower
houses, which would serve as q CO.
ordinating body.
The king. it was stated today. has
placed Buckingham Palace at the dis
posal of Mr.. Lloyd George for holding
there the proposed Irish conference.
Crucial Meeting In Dublin.
Slim Fein and Unionist leaders from
South Ireland will meet in Dublin to-
morrow. and it is probable that Earl
Middleton, one of the Unionist chief
tains. who has been in conference
with Prime Minister Lloyd George and
other government officials, may take
with him some statement OF the gov
ernment's position when he leaves for
Dublin late today.
Gen. SHUTS. in an address delivered
at a dinner given by the South Afri-
can colony here last night, declared
the Irish problem could be solved, and
pointed out that the situation in Ire
land was similar. to that which exist
ed in South Africa when the repub-
lican movement was strong in that
Union Of South Africa had decided to
remain linked with the empire the
people had benefited from their for
bearance and self-sacrifice."
1t was due in large measure to Gen.
Shuts influence that the question of
"ASlhCI ooulh A1IlSd SuOulu UcCOIhc q
republic or remain linked with the
empire was settled, and of late he has
been giving much thought and study
to the Irish problem.
Less Fighting in ireland.
Meanwhile. the government points
to a slight diminutfon in the casual
ties suffered by crown forces in Ire
land during the last week as indica-
tive that the peace moves are making
some impression on the rank and file
of the Irish republican army.
Except in the Dublin district,
where there has been comparative
quiet during the past week, there is
no appreciable lessening in outrages
and the guerrilla warfare has not
abated throughout the country" says
the government statement. How
ever, there is no indication that the
extremists are forcing things with
the design of wrecking whatever
prospect Of peace exists. The crown
casualties for the week following
Mr.. Lloyd Georges Invitation for a
conference in London totaled forty,
which Is below the average for the
weeks preceding"
The Westminster Gazette says to-
day it Understands that Cen. Jan
Christian SHUTS, South African pre-
mier. may be suggested as chairman
of the proposed conference in Lon.
don between representatives OF
southern and northern Ireland and
the British government.
1~v