IRISH PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM.

FORCING a decision, BRITAIN'S FINAL OFFER. JNDEPENDENCE REJECTED. By T*lerr»ph.—Press Awn Copyright. Received Sept. 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 21. The Daily Express states that Mr. Lloyd George will not communicate with Mr. De Valera until after a Cabinet meeting at Gairloch to-day. He is expected then to say definitely that it will be impossible to negotiate unless Sinn Fein abandons its claim to independence. He agrees to negotiate regarding Ireland as a body with the Empire, and a plain and final question will be put to the Sinn Fein leader.—Aus.M.Z. Cable Assn.

ATTITUDE OF ULSTER. AWAITING AN AGREEMENT. Received Sept. 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 21. Sir James Craig (Premier of Northern Ireland), addressing the Northern Parliament, said Ulster cannot modify her position, but she is determined to stand aside while the British Government and Sinn Fein endeavor to reach a settlement.—Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn.

OPTIMISM WANING. THE FINAL QUESTION. London, Sept. 20. There is a marked absence to-day of the earlier optimism, following on Mr. De Valera’s latest message. The view actually taken in London is that there is grave reason to fear the conference Mill break down. The negotiations have reached a critical, if not dangerous 'ptage. It is expected Mr. Lloyd George, in B further reply to-night, will ask Mr. De Valera finally, if he is prepared to enter the conference on the main condition: “How the association of Ireland frith the community of nations known Its the British Empire may best be reconciled with Irish aspirations.”

GENERAL ELECTION PROBABLE. London, Sept. 20. The Central News Agency states that wall-informed circles consider the fact that neither Lord Curzon nor the Premier will attend the Washington Confer?nce may be regarded as a certain indication of the near approach of a general election. The Irish and unemploytnent problems are likely to loom largely. There is a well-grounded belief that the Irish question will form the basis Of the appeal to the country by Mr. ployd George. Mr. De Valera’s attitude is regarded uncompromisingly hostile, and if the conference were held on his terms the Lloyd George Cabinet would be considered guilty of a grave act of disloyalty.