New-York tribune., 1922-02-07
Ulster Won't
Accept Change
ln Boundaries
Craig Bases Position on
Lloyd Georges Letter Of
July 20, PIedging Full
Powers to North Ireland
Meet al Premier's Home
Free Stale Ready TO Leave
Question to Commission:
Fight i'm Parliament Seen
BY Arthur S. Drapcr
FROM Tho Tribrane'q European spreau

Froo, Tho Trlbrne's European Eurenu
fHopyrighf. 1922 Ncw York Tribune Inc
LONDON, Feb. 6@Thc Irish crisis
over the question Of the Ulster boun-
dsrlcs took A grave turn this evening
when Sir James Craig sent letter to
Premier Lloyd George containing
fiat refusal to accept any considerable
alteration Of the existing frontiers.
The Ulster Premler's communication.
which followed meeting Of the North
crn Irish Cabinet, most Of whose mem
bcrs are now in London, took its stand
upon letter addressed to him By Mr.
Lloyd George or July 20. before the ne
eotlat'ons with the Sim Feiners were
taken up, in which the British Premier
wrote that any settlement must include
"full recognition OF the existing powers
and privileges Of the government Of
northern Ireland, which cannot be alb
rogated without the consent thereof"
Later this evening, in response to
Mr.. Lloyd George invitation. Sir
James called in Downing Street. but
only for tho purpose Of reafTirmin NJ
that the Ulster Cabinets decision wa
rrevocablo. In view Of Ulztcr's attj
tude, the deadlock appears to be abso-
lutte.
The passage Of Lloyd Georges lot
ter, quoted by Sir James, seems plainly
inconsistent with the clause Of the
Irish treaty, which says that the Ulster
frontier shall be mapped in acco -danro
with the wishes Of the inhabitants.
Free State for Commission
Failing TO reach an agreement VIII
the Obstetrics, Michael Collins and Ar
thur Griffith arc ready 10 accept the
clause Of the treaty in which it is pro
posed that the boundary should be fixed
by com mission composed Of one Brit
ish, one Sim Feln and one Ulster mem
her, but Craig ca prevent the applica-
tlon Of this clause by refusing to ap-
point the Ulster member Of the com
mission on the ground that Ulster is
not a party to tho treaty.
His letter 10 Lloyd George makes #
clear that aside from minor adjust
ments which are not accentablc to the
Free State Ulster VIII stand pat or
the boundaries a. fixed hy the oevcrn-
nent Of Ireland act b which the
Northern Parliament was created. The
letter is calculated to align behind the
Jlstcrites the support OF 4 large sec
tion Of the Unionist party and Is 2
bombshell for Lloyd George and MS
morrow Of Parliament session whose
chief business will be bill confirming
the treaty
The seriousness with which NJ.
Lloyd George regar rds the break be
tween Northern and Southern ireland
is shown in the fact that he summoned
representa- of the Free State to
to meet him or the eve Of the state
opening Of Parliament.
Arthur Griffith made a hurried trip
from Dublin and arrived here TO-DAY
gan and Kelvin O'Higgins in a confer
ence with Premier Lloyd George, Win
ston Churchill. Austen Cham berla n.
Sir Hamar Greenwood and Sir Gordon
Hewart. After the conference a Cabi-
net meeting :ras summoned.
Predicts Premier Will Quit
Politica opponents of Lloyd George,
particularly those who disfavor the
Anglo-lrish treaty, forecast a first
class battle IN the House OF Commons
when the Irish treaty bills arc intro
duced- One shrewd political observer
VINO is friendly to Lloyd George went
so far as to say that the Premier
would resign before the present ses-
sion ends and that Mr.. Chamberlain
would become Premier. Chamberlain
is now government leader in the
House of Commons.
That is not the opinion Of the ma
Jorlty. however, and experts predict
that a general election Will be held
IN April 1t is said that Lloyd George
of his speech. With the lrisi: bound
airy question deadlocked, with the
Genoa conference matter of great un-
certainty, with Anglo-French relations
IN delicate sta To and a crisis in both
Egypt and India the Premier is open to
attack from many quarters, and the
Washington conference is one of the
few subjects ne can discuss before the
Commons with any considerable degree
or pride.
The Unlonist dic-hards, who fought
their losing battle against the treaty
last December. expect to have Bonar
Law on their side when the Parliament
airy debate opens. Winston Churchill
also will make statement in the
House of Commons on the Irish sit
uation.
LONDON, Feb. s (By The Associated
Press Michael Collins said tonight:
81 can only reiterate that the majori-
tres must rule, and it is for that prn-
clple tie treaty stands. Our attitude
las been made perfectly clear-we will
not coe~o any part OF Ulster desirous
of remaining in the area controlled bv
the Northern Parliament. but neither
Will VIC allow coercion Of any part OF
Ulster which votes itself into the Free
State"
Riveter Slain Struggling
With Wife for PISTOL