TRUCE IN IRELAND

Evening Star, Issue 17710, 11 July 1921, Page 4

TRUCE IN IRELAND

THE LOUDON GONFEKME. TO BE HELD THIS WEEK. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 9. Mr Lloyd George (will preside at tho fateful conference, which will be between tho Government and Sinn Fein only. It is expected to bo held during'the week. Tho ‘ Sunday Express ’ says that no hue of policy has‘boon decided upon by the Government, which will welcome all suggestions from Ulster and the South. An ■important line of thought favors the establishment of two distinct Dominions in the North and South, with reservations on tho questions of foreign affairs and defence, and tho retention of a voluntary linking council as a consultative body. _ Mr De Valera has issued the following proclamation: .In the negotiations now initiated your representative's will do their utmost to Eooirc a just ,and peaceful termination of tho struggle; hut the history and character of the issue to bo decided' are a warning against undue confidence. 'Should force be resumed against our nation you must bo ready to do your part once more to resist. Thus alone will you secure the final, abandonment of force and the acceptance of justice and reason as an arbiter. —A. and N.Z. Cable. HISTORY OF THE TRUCE. LONDON, July 8. Official -arrangements are being made for hostilities to cease at noon on Monday. The arrangement was in consequence of the following correspondence: Mr Lloyd George, writing to Lord Midleton on July 7, said: The Government fully realises that it is impossible to conduct negotiations with any hope of satisfactory results if there is* bloodshed and violence in Ireland. It disturbs tho atmosphere, and makes the attainment of peace difficult. As soon as I hear that Mr De Valera is prepared to enter into a conference with the British Government and has given instructions to those under his control to cease from acts of violence, we shall give instructions to the troops and police to cease their activities and operations against those engaged in this unfortunate conflict. Mr De Valera said: The desire you express on the part of the British Government to end the centuries of conflict between’ tho people of those two islands and to establish relations of neighborly harmony is the genuine desire of the people of Ireland. I liave consulted my colleagues and secured the views of the representatives of the minority of our nation in regard to the invitation yon sent, and desire to say that I am ready to meet you to discuss on what basis such a conference as that proposed can reasonably hope to achieve the desired object. Mr Do Valera notified the Dublin conference of the toms of his letter. Mr Lloyd George’s letter was also read in the House of Commons.—A. and N.Z. Cable. TERMS OF TRUCE OUTLINED. LONDON, July 9. An official report from' Dublin states that Mr De Valera has instructed his supporters, firstly, to cease attacks on the Crown Forces and civilians; secondly, to prohibit the use of arms; thirdly, to cease military manoeuvres; fourthly, to abstain from interference with public and private property; fifthly, to discountenance and prevent any action likely to cause a disturbance of peace which might necessitate military interference. The Government has issued the following instruction :—• Firstly, raids and searches shall cease; secondly, military activity shall be restricted to the support of the police in normal civil duties; thirdly, curfew restrictions shall bo removed; fourthly, the despatch of rein-, forcements from England is suspended; fifthly, police functions in Dublin shall be carried on bv Dublin metropolitan police. —A. and N.Z. Cable. July 8. General Sir Nevil Macready (Comman-dor-in-Chief in Ireland) visited Dublin Mansion House and had a conference with Mr Do Valera. Later the ‘ Irish Bulletin,’ in a special edition, 'announced that the expected trace had been arranged, to take effect on Monday.—A. and N.Z. Cable. HOSTILITIES CEASE. ""LONDON, July 9. The Irish truce, although officially commencing on Monday, has already begun. In Dublin the military patrols have been withdrawn and the. auxiliary police are fraternising with civilians, amicably discussing the prospects. Lord Midleton, interviewed, said tho feeling outside the conference was overwhelmingly in favor of a settlement. The Dunlin conference was arranged for the purpose of bridging certain difficulties and creating a favorable atmosphere, and ho thought these objects had been accomplished. Lord Midleton was received in audience by the King.—A. and N.Z. Cable. VARIOUS SPECULATIONS. LONDON, June 8. Significance is attached to the fact that General Smuts has not returned from Dublin. Sir James Craig is reported to be resolute to retain the present Ulster Parliament. The question, therefore, arises whether or not tho North will ■accept De Valera's offer of autonomy for Ulster. Even if the present vagueness crystallises into a satisfactory form it is feared by some that the offer may eventually resolve itself, if negotiations proceed so far, into autonomy as part of an independent Ireland. The continuance of the scattered sporadic killings ia not improving tho situation. Conservative circles suggest that tho granting of an armistice might be a recognition of a republic, but other inspired statements indicate a practical truce’ ‘ arrangement without a formal armistice.—A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMAN PRESS COMMENT, BERLIN, July 10. (Received July 11, at 10.30 a.m.) The papers devote considerable space to the Irish' truce. They are unanimous in high praise of Mr Lloyd George’s clever statesmanship.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RECRUITING STOPPED. LONDON, July 10. (Received July 11, at 10.30 a.m.) Tho Government has stopped recruiting for the Royal Constabulary, which has been very brisk, since the demobilisation of the Defence Forces, The order also applied to the auxiliary police.—A. and ’N.Z. Cable. THREE MEN KILLED. LONDON, July 10. (Received July 11, at 9.15 a.m.) A Belfast communique states that a tender containing a police patrol was fired cl this morning. Constable Oonlan was killed and two others were dangerously wounded. The Crown Forces killed Thomas Russell at Inaoh for not halting when challenged. —A. and N.Z. Cable. FOOTING IN BELFAST. LONDON, July KX (Received July 11, at 10.30 a.m.) Four men were killed during riots in Belfast last night and this evening.—A, and N.Z. Cable.