New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-08
History Of the Long Negotiations That
Led to adoption OF the Irish Treaty

When, after fortnight Of dickering,
canon de Valera accepted, on July s,
1921, the invitation Of lloyd George
to a conference in London with Sir
James Craig, listers Premier, and
himself aiming at solution of the
CT peace between England and Ireland
in 700 years of ntermi ttent and ter
rible strife became family discernible.
In the five months Of negot alton that
followed frequent differences arose,
some so drastic and serious as to
threaten the success of the negotia-
tons. New it would be De Valera
stubbornly insisting on complete Irish
independence, or Lloyd Georges equally
stubborn insistence that the best his
government could offer was home rule
q point he had occasion to reiterate
time and again; or Sir James Craig
would become pctulart.
And even finally aftci. the Sim Fein
negotiators had agreed on treaty and
rejoicing was general all ever the
world. De Valera began losing FIGHT
against its acceptance. The only thing
which kept the conference going was
the patience Of both sides and an over
whe!":;ng desire for an honorable peace.
King Inspired Farley
The prelude to the official negotia-
tons was inspired by King Georges
speech at the opening in Belfast, June
%, Of the Ulster Parliament, in which
he pleaded for peace in Ireland The
next day Lloyd George sent a letter to
both Craig and De Valera, asking them
to attend a conference in London to
attempt TO reach some basis of settle
ment, adding that they might bring
any colleagues they wishedSa grace.
full manner of intmating to De Valera
that the government would release
some of the Sim Fem political prison
crs--and offered a safe conduct for
them.
De Valera was silent for three DAYS
and then telegraphed Craig. inviting
the latter to Dublin for a conference
to adjust Irish political differences,
saying: ut is obvious in negotiating
peace with Great Britain the Irish
delegation ought not to be divided hut
should act as unit on some common
principle Craig, however, refused to
come, but four prominent Obstetrics
did. They came on July 4, and after
some discussions De Valera accented
Lloyd Georges invitation.
On July 1S, after Lloyd George had
had several talks both with De Valera
and Craig and reports were current
that an understanding had been
reached, the Ulster Premier left Lon
don for Belfast, satisfied with the cf-
forts being made toward peace" but
giving the impression of being unin-
terested in what would happen save
that listers integrity be not endan-
gered. His attitude was that Ulster
had nothing to do with southern Ire
lands desire for determination.
Britain Makes Its Offer
But the negotiations went on with
out Craig and on July 20 De Valera
was handed memorandum embodying
the basis on which the British govern
ment was willing to enter q tripartite
conference for the settlement of the
Irish question. 1t offered q dominion
folm of government which, after many
conferences between Sim Fein leaders
in Dublin, was refused by De Valera
in note to Lloyd George OH August
II, arguing Tor full indepe ndence and
absolute separation. In this note De
Valera also suggested referring the
issues to an arbitration commission
composed of one representative of each
side and the President of the United
States.
Lloyd Georges reply on August Il
was to refuse to compromise on Ire
lands right to secede or to submit to
foreign arbtration He expressed the
hope, however, that Ireland would ac-
cept the original terms, the best that
England could offer. On August "a.
however, De Valera informed the Brit
ish Premier that the Dali Eireann had
rejected the terms unanimously, but
was ready to appoint representatives
to negotiate peace on the principles Of
government by the consent of the gov
erned.
Two days later Lloyd George replied
that further negotiations would be use
less unless the Sim Fein were willing
IN cOmprehend the extent Of his gov