THE IRISH CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1921, Page 5

THE IRISH CRISIS.

RUMOR OF A DEADLOCK-

CONFLICTING REPORTS. NO ACTUAL BREAKDOWN, By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Oct. 28, 9.35 p.m. London, Oct. 27. The Australian Press Association understands that the Irish Conference has reached a deadlock, from which there is small hope that it will emerge. Mr. Lloyd George is determined, in the absence of a reply to his question regarding Sinn Fein defining their attitude on the question of Irish allegiance to the Throne, to do nothing likely to precipitate an absolute break. Cabinet is somewhat embarrassed by the attitude of belligerent Unionist members of the House of Commons, but it is understood that Mr. Lloyd George, accepting their challenge, will reply in the House of Commons on Monday. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George, replying to questions, made it clear that if a settlement was reached in the Irish Conference the terms would be submitted for Parliamentary sanction. Every provision would have to be ratified by Parliament and incorporated in an Act of Parliament. The parties thereto would be representatives of the Irish people, duly elected under an Act of Parliament, and the British Government. London, Oct. 27.. It is authoritatively stated that there is no indication that a breakdown of the Irish Conference has occurred, and that Mr. Lloyd George will sail for Washington on November 5, as arranged, unless something arises to prevent him. It is unofficially declared that the difficulty due to Mr. De Valera’s telegram to the Pope has been settled, and the real question now is Ulster, with which negotiations have commenced. In the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George made an unexpected announcement, asking the House to discuss the AngloIrish Conference on October 31. He said it was evident that a section of the House had serious misgivings regarding the conference, and said: “I think it essentia’ we should know where we stand as a Government before we go much further. It is a matter of vital moment to the United Kingdom and the Empire, and no Government could conduct negotiations of that kind without knowing it had the support of the House, from which it desired to have its authority to act.” ATTITUDE OF UNIONISTS. The Premier hoped that there would be a division on the resolution, which would be moved on the 31st on behalf of a section of the Unionists. The announcement was received with great cheering. Mr. Lloyd George’s reference was to a body of Coalition Unionists, who have been severely questioning Ministers regarding the conference. The resolution, which the Premier described as tantamount to a vote of censure, was signed by 40 Coalition Unionists and reads:— “The House views with grave apprehension entering on negotiations with the delegates of Southern Ireland who have taken an oath of allegiance to the Irish Republic and repudiated the authority of the Crown and, in view of the fact that the Act of Parliament for the settlement of the relations between Britain and Ireland was passed as recently as last year, the House is of opinion that no proposals for the settlement of Southern Ireland should be mdae without the sanction of Parliament.” SINN FEIN’S DEMANDS. The Australian Press agent understands that the unexpected delays regarding the Irish Conference may possibly deter Mr. Lloyd George from attending the opening sessions of the Washington Conference. It is believed the Sinn Feiners now demand the discussion of frontiers before committing themselves to the question of allegiance to the King. Unionist members of the House of Commons who demand the immediate cessation of the negotiations and the closing down of the conference have increased to 52. This augmentation was expected.

Displeasure and excitement followed the disclosure, in a white paper, that the truce was not in the form of a document. It is pointed out that wholesale breaches are occurring in the south and west of Ireland. Instances are given of the establishment of Sinn Fein courts and the

mulcting of citizens of sums ranging from £2OO to £5OO, which are openly declared to be for the purpose of arming the Irish Republic Army. It is now asked, if the truce was the subject of an honorable understanding, how are these outrages to be explained. It is bluntly asserted in “die hard’’ circles that the Sinn Feiners are attempting to compel Messrs. Lloyd George and Chamberlain to agree to dismember North Ireland, as constituted in the Home Rule Act, and to curtail its Parliamentary powers in exchange for Irish alleginace to the Crown. VEIL OF SECRECY. An absolute veil of secrecy is enveloping the conference proceedings, and this provides scope for the wildest speculations. The only certainty is that there is rapidly growing suspicion among the Unionists and some Liberals that all is not well. The Irish Bulletin, referring to complaints of forced levies for the Republican Army, declares officially that all such levies are unauthorised and must be stopped. Where collections are found necessary in order to finance the local administration the subscriptions must U* purely voluntary. SINN FEIN CONGRESS. DE VALERA IN THE CHAIR. Received Oct. 28, 53 p.m. London, Oct. 27. Mr. De Valera, presiding at the Sinn Fein National Congress at Dublin, attended by 2000 delegates, asked the Press to withdraw in order to facilitate free discussion. At the present critical juncture the delegates would be hampered if their utterances were open to misrepresentation outside, and viiey did not want to interfere with the peace conference’s work. Notwithstanaing the enemy’s strenuous hunt for the Sinn Feiners’ money, not a penny had fallen into their hands. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.