AN IRISH TRUCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18294, 11 July 1921, Page 5

AN IRISH TRUCE

EFFECTIVE FROM TO-DAY. HOSTILITIES CEASE AT NOON. MR DE VALERA READY TO CONFER. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 8. . Downing Street announces that hostilities in Ireland will cease on Monday. Mr De Valera has written to Mr Lloyd George as follows:—“I am ready to meet and discuss the basis on which the proposed conference caff- reasonably hope to achieve the object desired.’" Mr Do Valera telegraphed that he is willing to meet Mr Lloyd George. It is officially announced that a truce has been concluded, and will be effective from noon on Monday.-—A. and N.Z. Cable. IRISH COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. CONFERS WITHMR DE VALERA. LONDON, July 8. General Sir Ncvil Macreadv (Irish Com-mafuier-in-Chief) visited Dublin Mansiop House and had a conference with Mr De Valera.

Later the Irish Bulletin in a Special edition announced that the expected truce had been arranged, to take effect on Monday.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

STATEMENT BY DE VALERA. SINN FEINERS NOT IBRECONCIL , ABLE. AUTONOMY FOR ULSTER. LONDON, July 8. “ If the British Government desires a peaceful solution based on right and justice they will find no lack of good-will on the part of the Irish people,” said Mr De Valera. That is the of an important statement. Mr De Valera added: ‘‘The republic is prepared to giye North-east Ulster such autonomy as she desires and is just.” He denies that there is an irreconcilable element among the Sinn Fein Party. Neither had there been even a slight difference of opinion on policy among the members of the Dail Eirnnn. There waa nothing in the Republican Constitution to prevent now proposals from Great Britain with regard to political relations being put before the Irish people.—A. and N.Z. Gable.

% EARLIER MESSAGES,

THE CONFERENCE NEGOTIATIONS,

LONDON, Julv 8. A conference to-day supplied Mr De Va'era with the information which he required. The indications (which admittedly are vague) from Government quarters show that Lord Midleton will intimate the lines of a settlement. They must harmonise with the Act establishing a Parliament in Belfast. It is expeoted that Mr Do Valera will reply with a counter-pro-posal.' The question of an intermediary smoothing path is again mooted in some quarters. Everywhere men are looking for a sign of better times. A truce (official or viofficia!) would provide a clear sign.—Times.

ULSTER AUTONOMY. PREMIER STANDS BY PARLIAMENT. LONDON, July 8. Significance is attached to tho fact that General Smuts has not returned to Dublin. Sir James Craig is reported to be resolute to retain the present Ulster ParThe question, therefore, arises whether or not the North will accept Mr De Valera’s offer of autonomy for Ulster. Even if tho present vagueness crystallises into a satisfactory form, it is feared by some that the offer may eventually resolve iteelf, if negotiations proceed so 'far, into autonomy as part of an independent Ireland. The continuance of tne scattered sporadic killings is not improving the situation. Conservative circles suggest that the granting of an armistice might bo a recognition of a republic, but other inspired statements indicate a practical truce arrangement without a formal armistice.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

DUBLIN' CONFERENCE RESUMED,

CROWD RECITE ROSARY

LONDON, July 8. (Received July 10, at 5.5 p.'m.) The King gave an audience to Sir James Craig.

The Sinn Feiners and Southern Unionists resumed the conference at Dublin! A crowd outside knelt in the streets and recited a rosary for the conference’s success.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

WHAT LED TO TEE TRUCE

LONDON, July 8. (Received July 10, at 5.5 p.m.) 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 it is impossible to conduct negotiations with any hope of satisfactory results if there is bloodshed and violence in Ireland. It disturbs the atmosphere and has made the attainment of peace (difficult. As soon as I hear that Mr Do Valera is prepared to enter into a conference with the British Government and has given instructions to those under his control to cease their 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 Do Valera said: The desire you express on the part of the British Government to end the centuries of conflict between the two people of those two islands and to establish relations of neighbourly harmony is the genuine desire of thc'people of Ireland. I have consulted my colleagues and scoured the views of the representatives of the minority of our nation in regard to the invitation you 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 tho desired object.

Mr He Valera notified the conference of tho terms of his letter. Mr Lloyd Ocorore’s letter was also read in the House of Commons.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

TRUCE IN OPERATION.

AUXILIARIES AND CIVILIANS ' - FRATERNISE.

DUBLIN CONFERENCE SUCCESSFUL,

LONDON, July 9. (Received July 10, at 11.5 p.m.) Tho Irish truce, although officially commencing on Mpnday, has already begun. In Dublin the military patrols have been withdrawn and tho auxiliary police are fraternising with civilians, amicably discussing the prospects. Lord Midleton, interviewed, said the feeling outside the conference was overwhelmingly in favour of a, settlement. Tho Dublin conference was arranged for the purpose of bridging certain difficulties and creating a favourable atmosphere, and ho thought these objects had been accomplished. Lord Midleton was received in audience by the King.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

DU MANNIX IN TOKIO.

SCOUTS PEACE REPORTS,

NEW YORK, July 9. (Received July 10, at 11.5 p.m.) The Chicago Tribune’s Tokio correspondent reports that Dr Mannix has arrived. Ho visited a sister of the late Mr Terence M'Swiney, who is a teacher in a local convent. Dr Mannix said; “There can bo -no truth in any report of peace in Ireland, unless the British Government announces complete Irish independence.” —A. and N.Z. Cable.

A FATEFUL CONFERENCE

TO BE HELD THIS WEEK.

UNDUE OPTIMISM DISCOURAGED,

LONDON, July 9.

(Received July 10, at 11.50 p.m.) Mr Lloyd George will preside at the fateful conference, which will he between the Government and Sinn Sein only, awd expected to be held during the week. The Sunday Express says that n’o line of policy has been decided upon by the Government, which will welcome all suggestions from Ulster and the South. An important line of thought favours tho establishment of two distinct dominions in the North and South, with reservations ■on the questions of foreign affairs and defence, and the retention of a voluntary linking council as a consultative body. Mr Do Valera has issued a proclamation that “ in the negotiations now initiated your representatives will do their utmost to secure a just and peaceful termination of tho struggle, but the history and character of the issue to be decided are a warning against undue confidence. Should force be resumed against our nation you must be ready to do your nart once more to resist. Thus alone will you secure tho final abandonment of force, and tho acceptance of justice and reason as an arbiter.’’— A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE PEACE TERMS.

INSTRUCTION TO EACH SIDE,

LONDON, July 9,

(Received July 10, at 11.50 p.m.) 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 manceuvres; 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 0 f the police in normal civil duties; thirdly, curfew’ restrictions shall bo removed; fourthly, the despatch of reinforcements from England is suspended; fifthly, police functions in Dublin shall be carried on by Dublin metropolitan police.

The above instructions come into force at noon on Monday.—A. and N.Z. Cable.