DEADLOCK REACHED

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 30, 29 October 1921, Page 7

DEADLOCK REACHED

IN IRISH NEGOTIATIONS PREMIER TRYING TO PREVENT AN ABSOLUTE BREAK VEIL OF SECRECY CAUSES WILD SPECULATION A deadlock is reported to have been reached in the Irish negotiations, from which there is small hope, of emergence. The veil of secrecy surrounding the proceedings is causing the wildest speculation regarding the situation. The attitude of some Unionist members of the House of Commons is somewhat embarrassing the Cabinet, and the Prime Minister has asked the House to dis’'cuss the Irish question so that the Government will know where it ' stands. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. October 28, 9.35 p.m.) London, October 27. The Australian Press Association understands that the Irish Conference has reached a deadlock from which there is small hops of emergence. Mr. Lloyd George is determined, in the absence of a reply to his question regarding Sinn Fein defihing their attitude on ths question of Irish allegiance to the Throne, to do nothing likely to precipitate an absolute break. Cabinet is somewhat embarrassed'by tho attitude of tho belligerent Unionist members of the House of Commons, but it is understood that Mr. Lloyd George is accepting their challenge and will reply in the House of Commons o i Monday. © The Association, understands that the unexpected delays which are retarding the conference will possibly deter Mr. Lloyd George from attending tho opening sessions of the Washington Conference

It is believed that the Sinn Fein delegates now demand a discussion on the frontiers before committing themselves to the question of allegiance to the King. The Unionist members of the House of Commons, who demand the immediate cessation of the negotiations and closing down the conference, have increased to 52,-. and augmentation of this number is expected. ' Displeasure and excitement followed the disclosure by a White Paper that the terms of the truce were not embodied in a document. It is pointed out that wholesale breaches of the truce are occurring in South nnd West Ireland, and instances are given of the establishment of Sinn, Foin courts, and the mulcting of citizens in sums ranging from .£2OO to £5OO, for the openly-declared purpose of arming the'lrish Republican army. It is now asked, if the truce was the subject of an honourable understanding, how are these outrages to be explained ? It is bluntly asserted in “Die-Hard” circles that the Sinm Feiners are attempting Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Chamberlain, to agree to dismember North' Ireland, as constituted in the Home Rule Act, and curtail its Parliamentary powers, in exchange for Irish allegiance to the Crown. The absolute veil of secrecy enveloping the conference proceedings provides scope for the wildest speculation, the only certainty being the rapidly-growing suspicion among Unionists and some Liberals that all is not ! well. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ULSTER THE REAL QUESTION NOW DIFFICULTY OVER TELEGRAM TO POPE SETTLED. London, October 27. It is authoritatively stated that there iq no indication that a breakdown in the Irish Conference has occurred, and that Mr.- Lloyd George will sail for Washington on November 5 as arranged, unless something arises to prevent him. It is unofficially declared that the difficulty due to Mr. de Valera’s telegram to the Pope has been, settled. The real question now is Ulster, with which the negotiations har'd' got to grips.—Reuter. ’•/ FORCED LEVIeTuNAUTHORISED STATEMENT BULLETIN” kbndon, October 26. The "Irish Bulletin," referring to complaints against the forced levies for the Republican army, declares officially that all such levies are unauthorised, and must be stopped. Where collections are found necessary in order to finance local administration, the subscriptions must be purely voluntary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT ’ PREMIER’S UNEXPECTED -ANNOUNCEMENT GOVERNMENT DESIRES TO KNOW WHERE IT STANDS. London, October 27. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George made an unexpected announcement in asking tho House to discuss the subject of the British and Irish Conference on October 31. He said that it was evident that a section of members had serious misgivings regarding the conference, and he thought it was essential that "we should know where, wo stand as a Government before we go much further." It was a matter of vital moment to the United Kingdom and the Empire, and no Government could conduct negotiations of that kind without knowing it had thci support of the House from which it derived its authority. He hoped there would be a division on the resolution, which would be moved on October 31 on behalf of a section of Unionists.

The announcement was received with great cheering. Mr. Lloyd George’s reference was to a. body of Coalition Unionists who have been severely questioning Ministers regarding tho conferee ce.—Benter. UNIONIST RESOLUTION TANTAMOUNT TO VOTE OF CENSURE. , London, October 27. The resolution for which Mr. Lloyd George has arranged the discussion to be taken on October 31, and which later he described as tantamount to a vote of censure, is signed by forty Coalition Unionists, and reads: "That this House views with grave apprehension the entering into negotiations with the delegates from Southern Ireland, who have taken the oath of allegiance to the Irish Republic, and have, repudiated the authority of the Crown; and in view of the fact that an. Act of Parliament for the settlement of -relations between Great Britain and Ireland was passed as recently as last year, is of opinion that no proposals for the government of Southern troland should be made without the sanction of Parliament.’’—Benter.

PREMIER’S CHALLENGE TO UNIONISTS VIEWS OP THE “DAILY MAIL.” (Rec. October 29, 1.20 a.m.) London, October 27. The "Daily Mail," in a leader, states: "Mr. Lloyd George’s dramatic challenge to tho Unionists is a definite sign that

he has irrevocably set his feet on the path of peace, consistently with the unity of the Empire." The paper points out that the House of Commons will have to decide between the wrecking tactics of the Unionist junta and the statesmanship seeking a peaceful settlement. — United. Service. SETTLEMENT PROVISIONS MUST BE RATIFIED BY PARLIAMENT. (Rec. October 28, 7.25 p.m.) London. October 27. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George, replying to a question, made it clear that if a settlement was reached in the Irish Conferrtnce the terms would be submitted for Parliamentary sanction. Every provision, would have to be ratified by Parliament and incorporated in an Act of Parliament. The parties to the settlement would be representatives of the Irish people duly elected under an Act of Parliament and the British Government. —Reuter. SINN FEIFcONGRESS (Rec. October 28, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, October 27. Mr. de Valera is presiding at a Sinn Fein National Congress at Dublin, attended by 2009 delegates. He asked the Press to withdraw in order to facilitate free discussion. At the present critical juncture delegates would be hampered if their utterances were open to misrepgesantationj outside. They did not want to interfere with the peace conference’s work. Notwithstanding the enemy’s strenuous hunt for Sinn Feiners’ money, not a pennv had fallen into their hands. -Aus.-N.Z.’ Cable Assn. ATTITUDE OF AMERICANS z ANXIOUS FOR EQUITABLE SETTLEMENT. (Rec. October 28, 10.15 p.m.) London, Otcober 27. The English-speaking Union gave a luncheon to Viscount Bryce on his return from his American visit. Viscount Bryce said that educated native Americans were most anxious that the Irish trouble should l>e ended by generous and equitable settlement. They were keenly watching the proceedings, and would be able to judge if tho demands were, reasonable and what was the spirit the negotiators displayed. On these pointe the weight of American sympathy would be oast. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.