LOOKING TO ULSTER

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 55, 28 November 1921, Page 5

LOOKING TO ULSTER

TO-MORROW AN IMPORTANT DAY SOME CONCESSIONS OFFERED POSITION STILL CRITICAL Most critical, but not yet hopeless, is one description of the Irish situation. Much depends upon the decision of the Ulster Parliament, which will open to-morrow. By Telecranh—Press Aeeoclatlon- Couvrlcbl London, November 25. It is not expected that any pronouncement on tho Irish situation will be made before Tuesday, when the Ulster Parliament will open. Sir James Craig, in an interview with tile Premier, learnt the details of the latest scheme of settlement propounded 'by the Sinn Fein in conference with the Cabinet. It is generally believed that the Sinn Fein leaders, on their own initiative, offered concessions to Ulster regarding fiscal autonomy and tho right of veto, but were adamant regarding th© All-Ireland Parliament. The position is still most critical, but is not yet hopeless. It is authoritatively stated that when tho Ulster Parliament opens'Sir James Craig will probably make a statement agreed upon between himself and Mr. Lloyd George, giving tho situation of tho negotiations to date. The future course of events will depend largely on the Ulster Parliament next week.

Sir James Craig spent an hour this morning with Mr. Lloyd George for the purpose of receiving proposals for a basis of settlement. He refused subsequently to make a statement, and no communique was issued from Downing Street. Asked whether he was returning to Downing Street in the afternoon, he replied: “Not if I can help it.” There will probably bo no further meetings of tho Premiers until after the Ulster Parliament opens on Tuesday.

A Downing Street official, when questioned as to whether the shortness of tho interview signified a possible rupture, replied that ho could not toll y fi t, but that Tuesday would bo an important day. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DOMINION PARLIAMENT FOR SOUTH PROPOSITION BEFORE DAIL EIREANN. (Rec. November 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 26. The "Daily Express” lobby correspondent, writing under the heading “Ulster Out of tho Picture,” declares: “The only chance of an Irish settlement now lies in the Sinn Feiners’ acceptance of a Dominion Parliament for the South, leaving Ulster’s position unchanged. The Sinn Fein delegates have taken this pro. position to Dublin tor 'consideration by the Dail Eireann leaders. The possibilities of its acceptance arc not bright, but there are great inducements for Sinn Fein to accept, the chief being an escape from the higher taxation oporating In Britain and Ulster to-day. Sir James Craig told Mr. Lloyd George emphatically that ho could not join an AllIreland' Parliament under any guarantees whatever. Mr. Lloyd George is now tryin"- to induce Ulster to consider tho possibility of an All-Ireland scheme later, when the feeling between North and South is less bitter.” _ . Sir Gordon Hewart, speaking at Leicester, said: "While the Irish Conference is in being, the hope of a lasting settlement must not be abandoned, but certain matters are so vital and fundar/enTal that they cannot be subject to nnv kind' of compromise. One is allegiance to the Crown. r ’’"il" is expected of Ireland is the same a egiance as Australia, Canada, and South Africa owe tho Crown, which represents the reality of common citizenship. It is not possible for Irishmen at one and the same time to bo aliens and citizens.”—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.