SUSPENSE IN IRELAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17880, 7 September 1921, Page 7

SUSPENSE IN IRELAND.

EYES ON THE CABINET. ANOTHER APPEAL POSSIBLE. THE SEPARATION DEMAND.

WITHDRAWAL ESSENTIAL.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.

(Received 11.30 p.m.)

United Service. LONDON, Sept. 6Friends of Irish peace are beginning to feel alarm. The outcome of the meeting of the Cabinet at Inverness on Wednesday is awaited with much anxietv and it 1E feared that a time limit will be imposed on further negotiations with the Sinn Fein The Dublin correspondent of the Dailv Mad says that behind the demand for recognition of Ireland as a nation is the amour propre of the Irish republican army, which sees itself regarded as murderers, ar,d wants to be regarded as a national army, that ins honour may be saved. Mr. Lloyd George's conditions could then bo conceded as an act, of grace The Daily Express says that Mr. Llovd r.eoree wiil make a renewed appeal to the Hail Fireann to reconsider its decision and will express his willingness to meet plempotentiaries if the Dsil abandons its oemand fcr separation, which the British (.overnnvnt will not consider. Tho Dail y\\ be riven a reasonable time to come to a decision.

Sinn Fe;n circles in Ireland sa v that De Vnlerr, s letter wa* never intended to convey the serious impression which it r M to ha ' ve created upon the British l.overriment.

The Irish Independent SJm that Do \*lena reply does not dose negot]V toons, but rather leaves the road still clear to a just and honourable peace. It continues: "Whi2e we rejoice that the latest development is not unsatisfactory our people must guard against undue optimism, for on the nature of Britain's response depends whether the issue will be honourable peace or war." The Irish Times says: "We still hope for the best but if the Cabinet declares on Wednesday that a complete deadlock has been reached, what will the Irish do! They need not seek to abusa the Government, whose position has been clearly defined from the outset, and cannot look for support and sympathy in Europe or the United States, since the whole world w urging them to accept the Government's offer.''

The Belfast Newsletter say s that Britain has gone to the extreme limit of concession, and has taken tremendous risks for the sake of peace. The Sinn Fein will not be conciliated, and does not want peace, but disruption. The Northern Whig says: "De Valera has flung practically an ultimatum in Mr. Lloyd George's face. Es presentation, unless we are entirely misimormed, has been preceded by preparations to resume war. We fervently hope that the camarilla will tli ink better of their insane design to challenge the Empire, but r; would be extreme folly for the British Government and Irish loyalists to count on that."

The Times, in a leader, regrets the prolonged exchange of Notes as likely to emphasise the deadlock, and urges the Government to exercise patience, even to indulgence, and call another conference in an effort to reach peacli A Dublin message says that Southern Unionists show symptoms of pessimism, the Irish Tunes accusing the DaO ESreann of risking a breakdown in the negotiations, and shaking public confidence in its capacity to negotiate a settlement.

ALIENATING AMERICA.

"CONSENT OF GOVERNED."

APPLICATION TO ULSTER. Australian and NZ. Cable Association. (Reed. 11.3 D-m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 5. New York press comment indicates unmistakably that De Valera is losing American support. The New York Tribune says:—"Neither in content nor in temper is the latest rejection by De Valera calculated to check the pronounced drift of American sentiment away from the extremist attitude of Sinn Fein. Moreover, the manoeuvre of making the consent of the governed the sole obligation is negatived by the Dail's steady refusal to concede it to Ulster. De Valera's fiercer.ess may only be verbal, and he may be preparing his countrymen for an announcement that he fears will be disagreeable."

The New York Times says:—" De Valera's letter irresistibly recalls the sign of the merchant, namely, ' Prices fixed, but I do a little bargaining.* Continuance of the debate on the lines and in the maimer of the past six weeks is hazardous. Both parties should at the earliest mtmentjjet down to business."

TRIBUTE TO LLOYD GEORGE.

I Australian and N-Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept- 5. I

GIFT FROM AMERICANS.

A group of anonymous American ! tourists in London sent a special mes- ! senger to Scotland to convey to Mr. I Lloyd Giorge a cigar cabinet, accompanied with an address, stating:—" We I admirers of yours from the other side of ! the Atlantic appreciate, as the whole American nation does, all you are per- i serially doing to settle the age-long Irinh I probh'rn. Our thoughts and wishes go | cut to you in these momentous negotia- | tions. This little gift is accompanied by our sincere hope that Britain and Ireland ' will so<>n smnke together the pipe of ' p<;ace."