THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1921, Page 2

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

AL'STIIALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. 1.1.0 VD GEORGE’S TERMS. LONDON. Sept. 20. It is expected that Mr Lloyd Georg,, in his further reply, to-night, will ask Mr <le Valera finally if he is prepared to enter a confcrene,. on the main (ondition, how the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Empire may 1 cst he reconciled with Irish aspirations. There is a marked absence to-dav of the earlier optimism following on do Valera's latest message.. The view actually taken in London is that there is grave reason to fear the conference will break down. Negotiations have reached a critical if not a dangerous stage. ULSTER AGAINST ANY CHANGE. LONDON, Sept. 20. The “Daily Express” says: Sir J. Craig, Ulster Premier, addressing the Northern Ulster Parliament, said that Ulster cannot modify her position. She was determined to stand aside while the British Government and Sinn I'ein endeavoured to reach a settlement. LONDON,. Sept. 20. The London “Daily Express” states —“Mr Lloyd George will not communicate with Mr de Valera until after a Cabinet meeting is held at loch to-day. He is expected? then to say definitely that it will he impossible to negotiate unless Sinn Fein. Fein abandons any claim to independemo and agrees to negotiate on a basis regarding Ireland as a ljodv within the Empire. A plain final question will be put to the Sinn Fein leader.”