IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT DOWNING STREET.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5542, 26 July 1920, Page 5

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE AT DOWNING STREET.

BRITAIN MUST NOT IMPERIL PIER EXISTENCE,

LLOYD-GEORGE SAYS: NO SE. CESSION IN AMERICAN SENSE.

“WHAT IF IRELAND HAD BEEN HOSTILE DURING THE WARP”

United Press Association—Copyright(Received July 26, 1 a.m) LONDON. July 24. Mr. Lloyd-George presided at an important conference at Downing ’ Street yesterday regarding tho Irish i question. The conference lasted eight hours, when it was adjourned till Monday. Mr. Lloyd-George said that unless Britain wishes to imperil her existence it would be impossible to establish an independent authority in Ireland. He was prepared to discuss plans for the settlement with any responsible leaders of Irish opinion subject to two conditions —wo could not agree to tho secession in an Am-

erican sense and must have selfdetermination in the north-east. Mr Lloyd-George said that the other day he saw a German plan of submarine sinkings. It was surprising how many were just outside Ireland despite tho fact that we controlled the Jiarbors. In control had been in the hands of a hostile authority the position would have been impossible. Therefore unless we wish to make ourselves defenceless _we cannot move. The Premier said later: “I

am very sure things are going to happen. Ireland is going to become very much worse.” Referring to the question of a truce raised by Mr. Thomas, Mr. Bonar Law said that from the very beginning we bad only moved-troops there because of the murders:—A. and N.Z.C.A. (Received July 26, 1 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. Sir Hamar Greenwood -says that issues were decided involving the welfare of millions and the prestige of tho nation.—A. and N.Z.O.A. ATTACK ON A CONVENT. RIOTERS SET EIRE TO BUILDING REBELS DISPERSED BY ARMORED CAR.

! " (Received July 26, 1 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. Belfast is quieter to-day after a comparatively quiet night. Although rioting continued in some quarters there were fewer casualties. The most serious incident was an attack on a convent in the neighborhood of which there had been rioting and looting, necessitating tlie nuus leaving yesterday. The crowd at .10 o’clock at night became definitely hostile and made an organised effort to destroy the convent by fire. They drenched a hedge with paraffin and petrol and smashed the gate and rushed and ultimately burst the door and entered, saturating the floors and igniting the lower rooms. The police made a baton charge and with the military cleared the streets. An armored car fired on the rioters. The fire brigade succeded in confining the fire to the lower rooms. -»■ Large numbers of refugees from Belfast are arriving in County Tyrone. Rioting occurred yesterday in Dromore, where the Catholic club and Parochial Hall were wrecked last night. The police fired and one rioter was killed. FURTHER TROOPS PROCEEDING TO IRELAND. CAVALRY HELD IN READINESS. (Received July 20. 1 a.m.) LONDON. J uly 23. Further drafts from Aldershot are proceeding to Ireland and others, including the First Cavalry Brigade, are held in readiness. —A. and N.Z.C.A.