IN IRELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1921, Page 2

IN IRELAND.

AN IRISH TRUCE.

1 HOSTILITIES TO CEASE. I | AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LONDON, July 8. Downing Street announces that the hostilities in Ireland will cease on Monday. INFORMATION FOR DK VALERA. j LONDON, July 8. “The Times” lobbyist says: A conconference is being held to-day that will supply Mr de Valera with the information which he has required. The indications which are admittedly vague from the Government quaiters show that Lord Middleton (Irish Unionist) will intimate the lines of settlement. They must, however, harmonise with ■thci Act establishing Parliament in Belfast. DE VALERA’S PROPOSALS. LONDON, July 9. In regard to the lines for a settlement, and the statement that they must agree to alt Ulster Parliament it is expected Mr de Valera will leply with a counter proposal. The question of some intermediary for smoothing the path is again being mooted in some quarters. Everywhere, it is stated, men are looking for some sign of hotter times. Tt is pointed out that a truce, whether official or unofficial, would provide a clear sign of better times. Mr Eamonu de Valera (Sinn Fein President) has written to Mr Llo.vn George as follows : “I am ready to meet you for the purpose of discussing a basis oil which the proposed conference can reasonably hope to achieve the object desired.”

TRIJOE CONFIRMED. ® EXCHANGE OF LETTERS. " LONDON, July 8. It is now officially announced arrangements arc now being made for hostilities in Ireland to c ea se at noon on Monday. This arrangement has been in consequence of the following correspondence : Mr Lloyd George, writing to Lord Middleton, on July 7, said: “The Government fully realise that it will be impossible to conduct negotiations with any hope of satisfactory results if there is bloodshed and violence in Ireland. L would disturb the atmosphere and make the attainment of peace difficult As soon as I hear that Mr de \ alera r prepared to enter into a conference with the British Government, and has given instructions to those under his control to cease acts of violence, we shall give instructions to the trobps and the pi to cease also their activities and o- ernt ions against those engaged in this unfortunate conflict.”

Following Mr Llovd George’s letter, Mr de Valera replied :-—“The dtsire which you express on the part of the British Government to end the centu-

ries of conflict between the two pooiles of these two islands and to establish relations of neighlioiirly harmony, is the genuine desire of t/he people of Ireland. I have consulted my colleagues and have secured also the views of the representatives of the minority of our nation in regard to the invitatation which you have sent, and I desire to say that I am ready to meet you to discuss on what basis such a conference as that proposad can reasonably hope to achieve the object desired.” Mr db Valera has notified the Irish Conference at Dublin of the terms of

bis letter. Mr Lloyd George’s letter was also read in the House of Commons.

IRELAND’S GOODWILL. LONDON, July 8. . If the British Government, desires a peaceful solution of the Irish question based on right and justice, they will find no lack of goodwill on the part of the Irish people. There is now substance for an important statement. FURTHER REPORT. LONDON, July 8. Mr de Valera lias telegraphed his willingness to meet Mr Lloyd George It is now officially confirmed that a truce has been concluded. It will be effective at noon on Monday. DE VALERA’S TERMS. LONDON, July 8. In bis message to Mr Lloyd George after promising Ireland’s goodwill towards a just settemelit tile Sinn Fein leader, Mr do Valera added: “The Irish Republic is prepared to give to North-east Ulster such autonomy' as they desire and is just.” He denied that there is any irreconcilable element among Sinn Feiners. Neither, he says, has there been even a slight difference of opinion on policy among the members of Dail Eireann. There is nothing in the Irish Republican constitution preventing new proposals from Britain, with regard to political relations being put before the Irish people. Conservative circles suggest that the granting of the armistice could be the rcognition of the Irish Republic. Yet other inspired statements indicate that practically the trace is an arrangement without reference to an armistice.

The Police Commander, General McCrcndy attended Dublin Mansion (Mayoral) House. He there had a conference with Mr do Valera. Later on th e “Irish Bulletin” (Sinn Fein’s organ), in a, special edition, announced that it was expected that a truce would h e arranged. and would take effect on Monda v.

DUBLIN CONFERENCE RESUMES LONDON, July 9.

Th 0 Sinn Feiners and the southern unionists resumed tlieir conference at Dublin. A crowd of people outside the conference chamber knelt down in the streets, and recited The Rosary for the conference's success.

WHAT IS SMUTS DOING ? LONDON, July 8. Some significance is attached 1 to General Smuts’ non-return from Dublin. GOLD WATER. LONDON, July 9. It is stated that a continuance of scattered sporadic killings is not improving the. situation, even assuming that the present conference ensures this valuable advance towards peace, -Afl which has been made. \ CRAIG’S ATTITUDE. LONDON, July 8. Tfc Sir J. Craig (Ulster Premier) is reported to he resolute to retain the present Ulster Parliament. The question, therefore, now arises as to whether the Ulster northern counties will accept Mr De Valera’s offer of autonomy for Ulster as the gift of the majority of the Irish people It is asserted that even if the, present vagueness crystallises into a satisfactory form, it is feared by somo that j Sinn Fein’s offer may eventually rej solve, if the negotiations proceed so j far, into an autonomy for Ulster ns part of an independent Ireland. I The King has given an audience .to ' Sit: James Craig, the Ulster UremieF. I THE SETTLEMENT DISCUSSED. ! LONDON, July 9 Tiie House of Commons debated the coal strike. j Mr Gould, the Cardiff shipowner, j made a striking speech, lie expressed 1 a doubt as to whether the settlement. ! arranged would guarantee an increased coal output. .Mr Gould declared that 150,000 miners would now be displaced in the coal industry. Lord Robert Cecil also spoke. He blamed the Government’s handling of the coal struggle. He particularaly blamed Lloyd George for his attack on Labour in the speech he made on March 23rd. Mr Lloyd George hotly.protested thati this was a misrepresentation when Lord (ceil sat down. The Premier described Lord Cecil’s speech as unfair, and as a travesty. . lie nsid that what lie bad said was that “in the Labour disputes the trouble is not with responsible leaders, but with tiie corporals, whom you never see, but who have real power and no responsibility.” Mr Adamson (Labour Leader) said that the coal miners had returned to work in anything but an amiable frame -of mind. The question now was whether the miners were to pull the chestnuts out of the fire for British-industry, or not. This was a question which would find a ready response in the minds of the miners at the present time. Mr Adamson-urged that an amnesty ■ b.mild be now granted to the men whohave been imprisoned for alleged offences during the strike, even if the offenders are communists. The Irish truce although officially commencing on Monday has already begun in Dublin. The military patrols are withdrawn and auxiliary police are fraternizing with civilians amicably, dis Cussing the prospects. j Lord Middleton, interviewed," said the « feeling outside the Conference was overwhelmingly in favour of a settlement, The Dublin conference was arranged for the purpose of bridging certain difficulties and creating a favourable, atmosphere. He thought these objects were accomplished. Lord Middleton was received in audience by the King: THE IRISH CONFERENCE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 9. Hon Lloyd George at Chequers, is having important consultations with Ministers on Sunday. The Dominion Premiers were also there. Lloyd George presides at the fateful conference which will he between the Government and Sinn Fein only, and is expected to he held during the week. The “Sunday Express” says no line of policy has been decided upon by the Government which will welcome all suggestions from Ulster and the South. , An important lino of thought favours the establishment of two distinct dominions. north and south, with reservations on the questions of foreign affairs, defence and retention of a voluntary linking council, as a consultative body.

Do Valera lias issued a proclamation that —‘‘In negotiations now initiated, .your representatives will do their utmost to secure a just and peaceful termination of the struggle, hut history and the character of the issue to be decided are a. warning against undue confideuce. Should force be resumed against our nation you must be ready to do your part once more to resist. Thus alone will you secure the final abandonment of force and the acceptance of justice and reason as the arbiter.” »