THE REOPENED DOOR

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 62, 10 September 1921, Page 5

THE REOPENED DOOR

IRISH CONFERENCE PROSPECTS

GIVING THE SINN FEIN ROPE.

(«MIT» PMIS ASIOeiATION.— CSPIMiIT.)

(ABSTRALUN • NIW ZgALAHD CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received September 10, 10 a.m.)

LONDON, 9th September

English and Irish newspaper opinion generally approves Mr. Lloyd George's letter. In all quarters it is anticipated that the Sinn1 Fein will accept the Jhvitation 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 issuo to discussion. In such conference as is proposed, ifc- would bo open to raise the subject of guarantees on any point in which. Irish freedom may bo considered prejudiced by the proposals. The form of the invitation gets rid of all those emba?-' rassing conditions and limitations to the The Journal strongly advises that theouly method of settling the matter will be 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 di 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. The whole world will know that men who could spurn the nation's greatest opportunity since the days, of Henry 11. were' unfit to govern this or any country."