IRISH PROBLEM

Gisborne Times, Volume LV, Issue 6185, 16 September 1921, Page 5

IRISH PROBLEM

SPECIAL SESSION OF DAXL EIREANN. '• PEACE EXPECTED IN DUBLIN) KING’S IMPORTANT MESSAGE. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. 14. It is reported from Dublin that the Dail Eireann at a special session to-day appointed, Messrs Griffiths, Collins, Barton, Duggan, and Duffy plenipotentiaries at a conference with Mr Lloyd George. The Daily Mail’s Dublin correspondent reports that the Chamber of Commerce adopted a resolution, expressing a bop© that the Councils of the Irish Chambers of Commerce will be consulted before the final drafting of any solution of the Irish problem, or the drafting of any condition dealing with the trade and commerce of Ireland. The resolution, apart from its own importance, shows the certainty with which peace is expected. Mr Griffith, who is a leading spirit of the Irish delegation, is a strong advocate -of a dual monarchy, England and Ireland, with the King as the link.—United Service. His Majesty’s reply to the address from the Convocation of York refers to the depression following the war, and says:

“Stable peace is the goal for which we must unceasingly labor. •I feel confident that Ministers will keep it unwaivingly before them. I am deeply touched by the generous whole-hearted welcome accorded the Prince of Wales during his Dominion tour. It is the cause of deep, sacred relief, for which we owe thanks to God, that in answer to my appeal a new sign of hope has arisen in Ireland. I pray the promise of a new era held out may be’ realised; that the Irish people*may be united, one to another in peace and goodwill.”— Times. It has been learned in well-in-formed circles that Mr Lloyd George after reading a letter handed him by 'Messrs Boland and McGrath, requested the envoys to return the communication to De Valera, and ask him whether that was Sinn Fein’s last word, and if the document could not be amended before presentation to the British Cabinet, The letter was of such an uncompromising character and contained so many reservations also, flatly opposed to the idea, of Ireland remaining in the Empire, that the Premier felt the only course was to ask the Sinn Fein to reflect in the interests of peace, ! The Sinn „Fein courtiers had not reached Dublin at the time the Dail Eireann session opened. The plenipotentiaries mentioned in an earlier message were elected in view of a. possible conference.*—A. and N.Z. C ; A. ‘ THE IRISH DELEGATES. MR GRIFFITH CONSIDERED MOST ABLE. (Received Sept. 15, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15. It was previously known that De Valera would not be a delegate to the conference. He will direct the delegation’s negotiations from Dublin-, where he remains in touch with the Dail Eireanni Mr Griffith is regarded as the ablest delegate. ' Mr Duggan participated- in the Irish rebellion in 1916 and was interned in Ballykinler, but released on parole to enable him, as solicitor for appellant, to attend a law case before the House of Lords. He was unconditionally released when the present ; truce was arranged. Mr Barton fought in France as an officer of the Dublin Fusiliers and also commanded the barracks in Dublin in the 1916 rebellion, wherein Sinn Feiners were imprisoned. He subsequently left the army and joined Sinn Fein. (Received Sept. 15. 11.54 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 15. After unanimously approving the terms of Cabinet’s reply to Mr Lloyd George, which are still kept a, secret, the Dail Eireann adjourned sine die. —A. and N.Z.C.A.