Omaha daily bee., 1922-01-23
Long Step
Taken for
.Ir;; :. Unity
AZ ,ys7,,A y
- collins and Sir Jane,
: .ig Reach Agreement on
Boundary Commission
in London Meeting.
Lift Boycott on Ulster
By JOHN STEELE.

BY JOHN STEELE.
ChieAss Tribune Cable. Copsrixhi. 1888,
London, Jan. IA long step
toward eventual unity OF Ireland
was taken when Michael Collins, the
chief OF the Iirsh proyineional gov
ernment. and Sir James Craig. the
Ulster premier. met in London. The
Irish delegates in London regard
lodays meeting as almost important
- the signing OF the peacy treaty
itself.
The meeting was described as be-
ing most cordial and Craig, who
had reeolleeiions OF his meeting
with Eamonn dc Valera when the
Irish republican leader lectured him
ior an hour on Ireland's wrongs
in the past without coming TO busi-
ness. was agreeably surprised TO
find Mr.. Collins was even more
anxious than himself TO stop talk
ing and to get on with work.
Agreement Reached.
Alter the conference, lasting only
about an hour, AN agreement was ar
rived at which was embodied in the
following statement issued jointly:
Michael Collins and Sir James
Craig met in conference today. Att
or discussion the following mutual
agreement was reached: So
81. The boundary commission as
outlined in the treaty is to be al.
tered. The governments OF the Free
State and northern Ireland arc TO
appoint one representative each 10
report TO Mr.. Collins and Sir James
Craig. who will mutually agree OH
behalf OF their respective govern
ments on the future boundaries be-
tween the two.
"2. Without prejudice TO future
consideration by his government on
the question OF tariffs, Mr.. Collins
undertakes that Belfast boycott will
be discontinued Immediately and
Sir James Craig TO facilitate in every
possible way the return of Catholic
workmcn, without tests, TO the ship
yards when trade revival enables
the firms concerned to absorb the
present unemployed. In the mean
time, system OF relief op large
scale is being arranged to carry over
the period of distress.
Unite in Rail Settlement.
49, Representatives of both gov
ernments to unite to facilitate the
settlement Of the railway dispate.
a. The two governments will de-
wise more suitable system than the
council of Ireland for dealing with
problems in Ireland.
"a further meeting will take place
at subsequent date in Ireland be-
tween the signatories OF this agree
ment to discuss the question of an-
nesty for persons arrested after the
truce"
(Signed),
"MICHAEL COLLINS.
JAMES CRAIG"
There is little wonder thar this is
considered the most important event
since the truce. The first clause
eliminates England altogether from
the settlement of the Irish frontiers.
The truce provides for a frontier
commission from each part Ct Ire
land and one from Er.s land.
Now Collins and Craig, i'll less than
an hour, agree to appoint their OWE
investigators to settle the matter
themselves, They also agree to
throw over the council Of Ireland
as the link between the two govern
ments and to devise something more
effective, again without the aid OF
England This is interpreted as
pointing to an early unity between
Ulster and the Free State.
The lifting Of the blockade by the
south and the restoration Of the
Catholic workers by the north elin,-
mates the chief cause for religious
and political bitterness in Belias.
which has been responsible for SO |
MANY murders recently.
Another significant clause is the
agreement to meet in Ireland later
to discuss all amnesty for post truce
prisoners, again without reference tc
England Most of these prisoners
are in Ulster jails, the crimes having
been committed in Ulster where the
truce never was fully recognized.