CRISIS IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1921, Page 5

CRISIS IRELAND.

CONFERENCE LIKELV

NEW IRISH LEADER. SINN FEIN’S REPLY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, August 29. It is believed that the Dail Eireann’s reply to Mr. Lloyd George, will be drafted to-day. It is expected that, while agreeing to a conference, Mr. De Valera will make further stipulations. It is reported that if negotiations are resumed at Downing Street, Mr. Arthur Griffiths, the Republican Foreign Minister, instead of Mr. De Valera, will head the Sinn Fein delegation. Received August 30, 5.5 p.m. Paris, August 29.

The Liberte interviewed De Valera, who stated his attitude on the religious questions was mutual tolerance. He added: "The Catholic Church is not the State Church of Ireland and does not want, to be and. will not be. Ulster is merely the minority, and, moreover, a, minority consisting of elements foreign to Ireland. Ulstermen are, however, Irish and if they are prepared to recognise their nationality my Government will make every possible concession in their favor. To Ulstermen who opt for Ireland we will give all that lies in Dominion Home Rule and to Ulstermen who opt for England we will give all financial compensations possible to enable them to establish themselves abroad. We shall not permit England to impose her warships on our territorial waters.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.