New-York tribune., 1922-06-08
Iris h ParIey
Hopes to Iron
Out Pact To-day
Lloyd George and Treaty
Signaiories Expect TO End
Trouble Caused by Collins
and De Valera Agreement
Constitution Is Revised
Griffith Makes II Plain Erin
Is TO Stay in Empire and
Take Oath of Allegiance

From ~, Tribgr,'s Ea,op>a- Bs,ees
Copyright. 1922. New YORK Tribune Inc.
LONDON, June 7.-Under the presi-
dcncy Of Premier Lloyd George, who
departed from Criccicth for Lonron
to-day. another meeting Of the British
and Irish treaty signatorics will be
held tomorrow. There Is reason 20
hope that AZ that time the trouoie aris-
ing over the pact between Michael Col
lins and Eamon dc Valera will be
ironcd out.
Arthur Grifith. accompanied by
Kelvin O'Higgins and Hugh Kennedy,
called early this morning on winston
Churchill, the Colonial Secretary.
After an informal discussion Of two
hours they were joined By Sir Laging
Xorthincion- Evans. the War Seere-
tary. whose presence was due 20 the
demand made by Michael Collins FOR
an inquiry into the circumstances Of
the fight at Pettigo. In the absence Of
LLOYD George this and other matters
discussed earlier by Griffith and the
Colonial Secretary were not brought
20 n decision
Churchill Is understood 10 be more
or less satisfied with the revised draft
Of the constitution which Grifrtn
brought 20 London. In reply 10 oblec-
l tions raised by the government last
week. Griffith has had embodied in the
I draft provision whereby the treaty
/ oath Of allegiance will be observed and
I Ireland will remain within the empire
/ on the same footing with the domin-
/ ions. These vital matters. which were
essential from the British viewpoint
we're slurred over in the irst draft out
/ they are now set down In black and
white. The Free Staters also agreed %
I incorporate a provision that the assen,
OF tho crown must be obtained 20 all
f Irish legislation. That is the custom
I ir all parts Of the empire. but IN prac,
+ tice royal assent Is never witnhe'a
I from dominion acts Of parliament.
Tho onlv point Of difference which
now remains outstanding concerns the
British governments insistence that a
/ decision Of the judicial committee OF
/ the Privy Council shall remain hnsl
7 in all constitutional matters affecting
the Free State. The Free Staters do
not object 20 this In theory, but they
point out that at present the Privy
/ Council includes members. notably LORD
/ Carson. who are VIGOROUSLY hostile 70
/ the Free State.
There is confident feeling in gov
eminent circles that with these big
points decided there will remain little
+ in connection with the draft OF the
constitution 20 cause uneasinoss. The
/ big problem remaining is the pact be-
tween Collins and De Valera. II this
was not in the way the question Of the
constitution would not be pushed 20
the front Immediately, since under the
terms OF the treaty a year Is allowed
for framing that document
In the face Of the Collins-De Valera
pact. however Lloyd George felt that
he ought 90 be sure Of his ground. and
for that reason a scrutiny Of the draft
OF the constitution was begun az once
Now that il seems as II the constitu'
tion would prove satifaetory, the Prime
Minister will feel easier 20 deal with
the pact between the factions regarding
the election.
In view OF the independent nomina-