IRISH AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1923, Page 2

IRISH AFFAIRS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. NEGOTIATIONS FAIL. LONDON, Alny 9. President Cosgrave announced in the Dail the breakdown of negotiations between the Free State Government and Do Valera. According to Cosgrave’s statement, Air Dc Valera requested Senators Tcniyson and Douglas to meet him to discuss peace, but tlie President refused to allow a personal conference, and a document embodying tlie Government’s terms was submitted to Air De Valera. The conditions wore, firstly, that all political issues he decided by a majority of votes of tho elected representatives of the people ; secondly, that all lethal weapons in the country be under the control of tho executive ; thirdly, that the surrender of arms ho tho preliminary for the release of prisoners who must subscribe to the first two conditions. In his reply, De Valera reiterated his declaration of the 27th of April, and submitted an amendment that tlie general election he held no later than tho loth of September, pending which the arms in the hands of the Free .State troops should he under strict supervision and control, while the Republican forces should have a suitable building in each province for tho storage of their arms. ATr Cosgrave said the Government yesterday considered this document, and the effective control of arms would no insisted upon. The Government was prepared to invite the Bishops to act through the local clergy as intermediaries for the collection of arms. Once the arms were handed in, tlie prisoners who accepted the terms would be released. De Vaiera had replied expressing disappointment at the Government’s reply: “I have been met Tiy a rigid insistence upon a condition which is impracticable and unfair.” Do Valera had been given until Wednesday to accept the terms and had not done so.