DE VALERA'S LETTER NOT THE LAST WORD

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 41, 17 August 1921, Page 5

DE VALERA'S LETTER NOT THE LAST WORD

(AUSTIUUiN ' NBW~ ZEALAND CABLS ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 16th August.

The Daily Express lobbyist reports that Mr. de Valera is credited with the intention of standing up to . the Sinn Fein extremists and pressing lor a referendum oh the Government offer. 'If ffie Dail Eireann attempts this method, the Government is prepared to give all facilities, without committing itself to acceptance of the result. Those in touch 'with fiinh Fein opinion declare that though Mr. de Valera wrote the letter of rejection to please the extremists, the letter must not.be taken as the Sinu Feiners' last word. If the extremists attempt to make further negotiations impossible, a serious split may immediately develop in the Sinn Fein movement..

The Daily Telegraph's Belfast correspondent says the entire public opinion is aghast at the Sinn Fein folly in rejecting the offer. It is not believed that Mr. de Valera is bluffing, but it will not I'D surprising if the negotiations continue some time before a final rupturo occurs. Cardinal Logue, in an interview, refused ' ■-> express an opinion at this stage. ModMate Nationalists favour acceptance, but '■hey are inarticulate. So far as the rank •mil file of Sinn Ffeiners are concerned, 'here is a hopeful feeling that progress mwards a settlement has not been rhecked.