IRISH PEACE CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17296, 7 November 1921, Page 7

IRISH PEACE CONFERENCE.

ULSTER PREMIER IN LONDON. DISCUSSIONS AT DOWNING ! STREET. <B» Cab'«—Preui .Association—Copyright.) '(Au«'rv:v and NX Cable AsuooiMion.) LONDON, November 4. Sir James Craig, Premier of Ulster, confers with Mr Lloyd George during the week-end. Afterwards he will return to Belfast to consult his colleagues, and will revisit London later, when probably he will be invited to participate in the Irish Conference. (Received November Oth, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, November G. Sir James Craig arrived in London on Saturday unexpectedly. He was claled to Downing Street, and had a lengthy interview with .Mr Lloyd George and Mr Austen Chamberlain. After two hours, the discussion was adjourned til] the afternoon. Shortly after its resumption isir L. Worthington Evans, Secretary for War, and Sir Robert Home, Chancellor of the Exchequer, were hurriedly called, the talk lasting for hours. 6ir James Craig stated later:—' I have arranged that., if and when Ulster's interests are reached at the Conference, all of Ulster's representatives will be asked to attend. In the meantime nothing will be settled behind our backs." The Irish delegates immediately circulated the following reply-.—"Presum-ably Sir James Craig moans that, as tho British Government is responsible for the situation created by the Partition Act, it will consult himself and his colleagues regarding a satisfactory means of rectifying the blunder. The Conference will, of course, be confined to accredited representatives of the British and the Irish nations." It is now understood that Sir James Craig, asEUring Mr Lloyd George that he has the unqualified support of the Ulster Cabinot, has adopted an uncompromising attitude towards tho suggestions made to him by the Prime Minister and Mr Chamberlain. The meetings did not cause a crisis. It is regarded as a curious coincidence that Mr Michael Co,llins and Mr Duffy proceeded to Dublin on Friday for the purpose of interviewing Mr do Valera and the other leaders. This, followed by yesterday's proceedings at Downing street, caused wiid rumours that the Conference had definitely collapsed. It is not believed in informative circles that this is true, though tho situation has regained its old strain and obscurity. Mr Lloyd George was due to proceed to Chequers Court on Saturday, but abandoned his visit. Further Cabinot meetings are being hejd to-day.