A DISCORDANT NOTE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10956, 19 July 1921, Page 5

A DISCORDANT NOTE

IRISH PEACE PARLEY LONDON PAPER BITTERLY* ATTACKS DEfVALERA. NO CONCESSIONS FROM ULSTER. By TeleeraDh—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received July 18, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. The “Morning Post” bitterly condemns the negotiations with Mr De Valera. The paper describes him as the head of a murder gang, and states that the Downing street authorities are less optimistic as time goes on. “Regarding the maul difficulty De Valera is very vague. He has scarcely given uip anything, as if ho gives way too much he may become a victim of his gunmen. Self-determination in liis mouth means the supremacy of Dublin over Ulster. The negotiations will he very prolonged.” The “Post” suggests tiia t. there is _ a danger of Mr Lloyd ■George betraying Ulster. Sir James Craig (Premier of Ulster) in a message to the war memorial fete at Castle Dawson, said: ‘ ‘Rest assured that the Empire, in whoso cause our heroes nobly laid down their lives, will not he weakened by any action _of mine. They trusted us to give nothing away. That trust will never be "Betrayed.” THE NEGOTIATIONS WIDESPREAD OPTIMISM REGARDING PEACE PROSPECTS. BONE OF CONTENTION. Beuter'a TelearatuLONDON, July 15. On almost every hand there as widespread optimism regarding the Irish conversations and prospects of peace. Although Ministers maintain the strictest secrecy, the cheerfulness of their demeanour is regarded as significant. The “Freeman’s Journal” declares that the real bone of contention is Ireland’s contribution of £18,000,000 annually to the Imperial Treasury. Sinn Fein wants to be relieved from this contribution, and be placed on the same basis as the Dominions, but this would mean raising England’s income tax to 8s in the pound, and correspondingly causing a considerable decrease in the Irish income tax. ' SELF-DETERMINATION MUST BE RECOGNISED. SAYS DE VALERA. LONDON, July 17. Mr de Valera, in aysbatement, said: “The Press gives the impression that I have been making certain compromise demands. I hare made no demand but the only one I am entitled to make — namely, that self-determination of the Irish nation be recognised.”