Evening star., 1922-06-06
IRISH LEADERS MAY
SPURN De VALERA
Griffith and Collins to Back
AngIo-Irish Treaty in
Full, London Hears.
By the Associated Press,

D' the ahsOcldteu fress
LONDON. June 6.-Arthur Griffith
and his colleagues on the Irish dele
cation which has been discussing the
irish situation with the British cabi-
net will leave Dublin tonight, 1t is
announced, for a resumption of their
negotiations with Colonial Secretary
Churchill tomorrow.
The Daily Nails political CORES
pondent says British government cir
cles believe Griffith and Michael Col
Inns have agreed to observe the full
terms of the Anglo Irish treaty. even
though this means throwing Eamonn
De Valera overheard. despite their
recent pact with him, while the Dub
lin correspondent of the same news
paper reports the impression that the
CollinsDe Valera pact will be aban-
doned after the elections.
Surprise is expressed here at Col
Inns and De Ealera'S joint appeal for
the support of the electors for the
coalition panel in the elections and
the withdrawal of the other candi-
dates in the national interests. This,
1t is predicted. will not only lead tc
the withdrawal of many independent
extremists forcibly, to prevent the
election of those ignoring the appeal
Pettigoe Battle Splits Press.
The London press is taking sides in
the controversy over the capture of
Pettigoe from the Sim Feiners by
British troops. Some think it will be
valuable lesson to the republican
extremists. while others condemn it
sharply as an invasion of Free State
territory.
The Westminster Gazette, referring
to the claim advanced by the general
headquarters of the Irish republican
army that only part of one street
in Pettigoe" is in Ulster and the re-
mainder in County Donegal, says that
If the British troops have invaded the
Free State. Griffith and Collins will
be able to claim that the British, and
not the Irish. are violating the treaty
The government, it says, must take
instant action to correct the serious
situation.
A Belfast dispatch to the Times
reports considerable firing last night
near Lettercran. between Pettigoe
and Castlederg. also at Mullaghfad, on
the Fermanagh- Monaghan border
Two men and a girl were killed in
the Lettercran area.
Irish Face Food Shortage.
Prohibition OF the expectation of
oils from Londonderry is reported to
have been extended to include food
stuffs, live stock. coal and other mer-
chandise, the object being to termi-
nate the robberies of these articles
from trains and lorries in Donegal.
The Times reports that the prov1-
sional free state government is meet
ing the consequent food shortage by
sanctioning the chartering of motor
boats in which to import food from
Glasgow.
Mr. Griffith is expected to bring
with him the revised constr ton for
his negotiation with Mr.. -hurchill
tomorrow. Premier Lloyd George
will arrive in London from v les on
Thursday. We will confer with Sec
retary Churchill and if sat. 'actory
progress can be reported there will
be a formal conference of the Irish
and British representatives Friday
morning in Downing street.
In official circles here the outlook
for the continuance of the conference
is regarded as distinctly favorable,
since the ground was somewhat
cleared by the answers the Irish rep
resentatives gave last Friday to the
definite questions propounded by the
British.