IRISH PEACE PROSPECTS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17294, 4 November 1921, Page 9

IRISH PEACE PROSPECTS.

REPORTED PLAN OF SETTLEMENT. MUCH DEPENDS ON tFLSTEB. (By Cable—Pree* Association—Copytifll t.) (Beuter'e Telegrar-1.; LONDON, November 2. It is reliably stilted that the Government has definitely submitted £i plan on which it is hoped that a united Ireland may bo built. A committee of lour lias thoroughly discussed the scheme, and future negotiations are said to depend on l ister s reply to the proposals. There is every possibility that Sir James Craig, Premier of Vlstor, will be asked to participate in the deliberations, but ho is un- j likely to attend the conference until a clear, definite lino is marked out. The Government insists that the first essential is that Ireland shall acknowledge allegiance to the Crown, but the Irish representatives submit that allegiance and the Ulster problem are interwoven. I (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 2. Cabinet Ims invited the I lster Government to consent to a plebiscite in the Fermanagh and Tyrone Counties of the Province of Ulster. (Received November 3rd, 5.5 p.m.) LONLOX, November 2. Optimism preva Is in Irish Nationalist circles, caused by the circulation of rumours that a settlement has been reached. It is reported that two planß were discussed. One is to give County op- ' tion in Ulster under which Fermanagh and Tyrone could vote themselves out of the Northern Parliament, but in view of Ulster's determination, there is little prospect of its adoption. The second plan contemplates 8 Federated Ireland extending the Northern Parliament's jurisdiction over Donegal, Cuvan, and Monaghan, thus giving stronger Catholic representation in the Ulster Parliament. There will be a supreme Irish Parliament over both the North and the South. (Received November 3rd, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, November 3. Opinion is divided as to the trend of tho Irish Conference, which, after sitting for two hours, adjourned late lost night. Tho Australian Press Association understands that the proposed Fermanagh and Tyrone solution was explored thoroughly, and that Mr Lloyd George's invitation to tho Ulster Cabinet, which was unanimously supported by his colleagues, is tho outcome. It is believed that Ulster has decided to resist such an appeal on the ground that if 'the two counties were surrendered this step would be> followed by further similar demands, which would materially assist Sinn Fein to squeeze out the Ulster Parliament. Whale the closest secrecy continues, it Is assumed in important quarters that Mr Lloyd George will never ask Ulster to agree to a plebiscite regarding Fermanagh and Tyrone if the Sinn Fein delegates do not capitulate regarding Irish allegiance to the Throne. A better feeling is certainly evident in quarters where pessimisism has been marked. Sir James Craig comos to London tomorrow, ostensibly privately, but thero is reason to suppose he comes to voice the unalterable attitude of the Ulster Cabinet if a certain eventuality occurs. \ GUN-RUNNING FROM GERMANY. \ A SHIPMENT CONFISCATED I (Received November 3rd, 0.0 p.m.) BERLIN, November 2. The Gorman Government announces that on October 6th it confiscated a shipment of arms and ammunition intendod for Ireland, and arrested the! master of the vossel. DISQUIETING INCIDENTS. 1.8.A. ACTIVITIES. (Received November 3rd, 8.10 p.mT) ■ LONDON, November 3. A number of disquieting incidents are reported from Belfast., Mr Mo Hugh, chairman of tho Fennan&gh County Council, was romovod from his house at the point of the revolver and taken in a motor-car to an unknown destination Ho is a Nationalist, and has incurred the wrath of Sinn Fein through his refusal to pay a levy Three witnesses summoned to givo evidence at the Inniskillen Quarter Sessions were likewise kidnapped. A number of men were wounded at bombing practice in an I.R.A. camp j in Mid-Lou th. j Republican forces seized tho workhouso in Camdonagh. in County Dona, gal, twenty miles north of Londonderry, and posted armed sentries. Tho Council of the British Trade Union Congress decided to cancel tho arrangements made to hold the nort congress in Belfast, in view of tho political situation.