HOPE OF PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1921, Page 5

HOPE OF PEACE.

HINT BY THE PREMIER. MEETINGS WITH DE VALERA. BETTER FEELING PREVAILS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received July 16, 12.10 a.m. London, July 14. De Valera, Barton and Arthur O’Brien had a meeting with Mr. Lloyd George which lasted two hours and a half, but the result was not announced. Whitehall was crowded at the entrance to Downing Street, and many knelt as the delegates passed and recited “The Rosary” and sang hymns. Mt. Lloyd George unexpectedly attended a dinner in Mt. C. A. McCurdy’s honor, and he was received with acclamation by the six hundred present. He said he had reported the proceedings at the conference with De Valera to the King, through whose intervention so much had been made passible. The King must be given credit for having done one of the greatest services to the world. (Applause.) Mr. Lloyd George proceeded to discuss the future of the Coalition. He twitted Independent Liberals with not desiring a general election. There had been a remarkable change in the last few week®. and the human tempest seemed to be subsiding, mere was a spirit of conciliation in the industrial world, and a better outlook between employers and workers, and there was aiso a remlarkable transformation in Ireland, but the less said about that the better. (Shouts of “Go on”.) Mr. Lloyd George added: “No, you must not tempt me to indiscretions at this juncture; but it is a fact that De Valera, chieftain of the vast majority of the Irish, has been in conference with the British Premier, discussing methods and suggestions for a settlement of the long, bitter and wasteful feud. They will meet again to-morrow, and it is hoped they will secure peace.” (Loud cheers.)

Lord Midleton denies the Morning Post’s statement that he and De Valera provisionally agreed upon the terms to be demanded of the British Government, including Dominion home rule. Lord Midleton says this question was not discussed at the meeting. Sinn Fein Jias issued a similar denial,—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PREMIER MEETS DE VALERA. “ATMOSPHERE RIGHT FOR PEACE” London, July 14. Official.—Messrs. Lloyd George and Da Valera had a free exchange of views relating to the positions already defined. The conversation will be resumed tomorrow morning. De Valera, in an interview, said: “I am sure the atmosphere is right in England and Ireland for peace. The only thing necessary is that we should get down to rock bottom. The moment is not opportune fur me to speak freely. Judging from what I read in the English newspapers, no country in the world needs more to understand and be enlightened on the importance of the Irish question and the logic and right of our case than England.”

ANOTHER MEETING.

SIR J. CRAIG TO ATTEND.

Received July 15, 11.20 p.m. London, July 14. Mr. Lloyd George and De Valera had a conference alone this afternoon. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland) joins the conference to-morrow. On receiving a telegram from Mr. Lloyd George he left Belfast immediately for London.—Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn.