INVITATION TO SINN FEIN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 299, 12 September 1921, Page 5

INVITATION TO SINN FEIN

APPROVED BY ENGLISH AND IRISH PRESS ACCEPTANCE ANTICIPATED GENERAL TONE OPTIMISTIC The Premier’s letter to Mr. de Valera is approved by the English and Irish Press, which displays optimistic tone. It I s rumoured in Dublin that Mr. de Valera is notifying Mr, Lloyd George of the acceptance #of the invitation to the Conference, and.. that the Dail Eirann will appoint plenipotentiaries on Wednesday. \ | By Telefirrarh —Press Association —Copyright / London, September 9. English «and Irish newspaper ' opinion generally approves Mr. Lloyd George’s letter. In all quarters it is anticipated that the Sinn Fein will accept the invitation'to a /conference, and the general tone is decidedly optimistic. The “Freeman's Journal” (Dublin) says the reply is encouraging in many respects, and it opens the door wider than ever. It subjects every issue to discussion. In such a conference as is proposed, it would be open to raise the subject of guarantees on any point in which Irish freedom may be considered prejudiced by the proposals. The form of the invitation gets rid of' all those embarrassing conditions and limitations to the discussion. Thq "Journal"' strongly advises that the only method of settling tho matter will ba an ordinary round-the-table conference, when all misinterpretation and misrepresentation can be set right. The "Irish News” (Belfast) says that a general feeling prevails that Irish delegates will meet the Cabinet at Inverness. The "Irish Independent" (Dublin) considers that there is no reason why statesmanship should not succeed in hammering out a settlement. The "Belfast Newsletter says: "The reopening of the door to the conference, which the Sinn Fein itself closed, is good statesmanship, on the principle of giving the Sinn Fein all the rope it needs. The "Irish\ Times” (Dublin! says: If the offer is rejected we shall find in that calamity a minute grain of consolation. Tho whole world -will know that men who could spurn the nation’s greatest opportunity since the days of Henry II were unfit to govern this or any country.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. September 11, 11.5 p.m.) London, September 11. It in generally believed- among Dublin Sinn Feiners that the invitation to the Conference at Inverness will he accepted. It is rumoured in Dublin that Mr. de Valera, is sending Mr. Lloyd George an acceptance to tho Conference'before the -meeting of the Dail Eireann on M odnesday, which will appoint plenipotentiar-ies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT . truce between“catholics and PROTESTANTS AT BELFAST. (Rcc. September 12, 0.35 a.m.) London, September 11. Dublin telegrams indicate widespread public confidence that the Sinn Fein Cabinet will accept tip Government’s invitation to the conference. What is regarded as an important dedevelopment has occurred at Belfast. A truce has been arranged between Catholics and Protestants, and representatives of the two parties have responded to an invitation to meet. The police and military readily acquiesced in the suggestion to discourage disorder. —-Reuter. -INTERNED SINN FEINERS ESCAPE SECRET TUNNEL DUG FROM CAMP. (Rec. September 11 5.5 p.m.) Lonoon, September 10. Over forty Sinn Fein prisoners in an internment camp near the Curragh escaped by a secret tunnel. The prisoners dug beneath their huts, working night after night, and completed tho tunnel beyond the limits of Hie camp. They cleverly concealed the debris which they removed, and propped up the sides of the underground- passage with wood from floors of their huts, finally escaping during a concert which the other prisoners were giving in tile camp, and which a number of the guards were enjoying.. The 'escapees are now in the heart of theneighbouring hills. No arrests have been made.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.