IRISH DEADLOCK.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1921, Page 5

IRISH DEADLOCK.

ULSTER NOT SATISFIED. NEGOTIATIONS DELAYED. NEXT STEP UNCERTAIN. The uncompromising attitude of Ulster has brought about a deadlock in the Irish peace negotiations, and the future is full of uncertainty. Suggestions made to Ulster by the British Government were rejected with such emphasis that the Ulster Premier refused a conference until they were withdrawn. Ulster has made counterproposals, which are also said to be unacceptable to the other parties. By Telegraph.—Preas Assn —Copyright. London, Nov. 11. •. r The Ulster Cabinet, after a two hours’ meeting, issued a communique stating that the Government’s suggestions had been considered and the Cabinet was drawing up a detailed written reply. However, there were certain fundamental principles involved in the suggestions which, under existing conditions, were impassible of attainment. 'Sir James Craig, With his colleagues in unanimous approval, informed Mr. Lloyd George that there could be no useful purpose in holding a formal consultation between the Governments until such suggestions had been withdrawn. The formal reply will indicate other more practicable means of securing peace without infringing Ulster’s rights. No further mieeting of the Ulster Cabinet is contemplated unless a fresh basis of discussion is put forward. Received Nov. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 12.Mr. Lloyd George, Lord Birkenhead, Sir Hamar Greenwood, Sir L. Worthington Evans, Sir Robert Horne, Mr. Winston Churchill, . anil Sir Gordon Hewart, discussed Sir James Craig’s reply for two hours this morning, and also consulted Lord Fitzalan (Viceroy of Ireland). It was decided not to issue a statement. It is understood Ulster’s proposals are. regarded- as equally unacceptable to Cabinet as to Sinn Fein.

The Ulster Ministers have returned to Belfast. Colonel Spender, the secretary, stated Sir Jatnes Craig opposed secrecy of the negotiations, and demanded the simultaneous publication or the Government’s and Ulster’s proposals. Mr. Milne Barbour, Ulster Minister of Finance, on arrival in Belfast, stated that the only acceptable Dominion status would be to treat Ulate? as a separate entity. They could not agree to extending more advantageous terms to Sinn Fein than Ulster received, and the Northern Cabinet was unanimous in its determination that peace could not be obtained at the expense of Ulster’s administrative and territorial rights.

STILL SOME HOPE.

LAST WORD NOT SAID. Received Nov. 13, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 12. A Gazette prescribes November 22 ror banding over to' the Ulster Parliament executive powers under the Government of Ireland Act. The newspapers are of opinion that despite the Ulster Cabinet’s refusal to enter a joint discussion, the last word has by no means been said by either side, Unionists in Belfast support Sir James Craig’s attitude, believing that Sinn Fein will make every effort to squeeze out the Northern Parliament, while England will no longer have power to interfere. One line of possible progress is a renewed discussion regarding the linking Of the Council of Ireland and the possibility of giving the council Dominion status. This was the point from which the compromise scheme started. If Mr. Lloyd George insists on cutting Ulster adrift from the United Kingdom, Ulster is likely to demand Dominion home rule for herself.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.