IRISH CRISIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16465, 29 June 1921, Page 5

IRISH CRISIS.

DUBLIN HOPEFUL. By Telegraph—'Frees Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, June 28. It is understood that Dail Eireann will meet in Dublin to-morrow to consider the invitation to Mr de ValeraAll circles in Dublin display a hopeful feeling, and the belie"! is growing that Mr de Valera will accept. PREMIER AND MR DE VALERA. LONDON. June 27. The “ Morning Post’s” Belfast correspondent states that it now is known that Mr Lloyd George and Mr de Valera have been corresponding for some time past. The rebel leader must have been prepared for the invitation to a conference. On the other hand. Sir James Craig was taken by surprise. He will not give more away or discuss th-* scrapping of the Home Rule Act. He came to Ulster in response to the loyalists’ call, and will not betray them. PEACE POSSIBLE IMMEDIATELY. SINN FEIN CONDITIONS. LONDON. June 28. Mr Barry Egan, deputy-Lord Mayor of Cork, in an interview, expressed the opinion that Irish peace was immediately possible provided the British Government’s latest move was sincere, but Ireland was unlikely to accept any less proof of sincerity than the immediate withdrawal of auxiliaries and ‘‘ Black I and Tans.” As soon as this was effected | the Irish republican army’s fighting would cease. Sinn Fein would enter the conference with the most sincere desire to seek a mutually acceptable settlement, which he was confident would be discovered once Britain sacrificed her pride and withdrew the auxiliaries, not the regular ‘army with which they had no quairel. Permanent peace would give Britain a valuable neighbour and ally, capable of producing five times its present output of foodstuffs and buying correspondingly more manufactures from Britain. Mr Egan did not think dominion selfgovernment sufficient, owing to fear of subsequent intiiguing on the part of the British Government, of which Ireland had hitter past experiences. He thought that international guarantees of Ireland’s integrity, similar to the case of Belgium, would be demanded. He believed that Archbishop Clune came within an ace of reaching a settlement. but -between meetings and conferences various leading Irish clergy appealed for a Truce of God, which the Cabinet misinterpreted as a sign of weakness and division between the clergy and Sinn Fein, whereupon they broke off negotiations. After that the Cork fire occurred, stiffening the Iridi people’s resistance. SOUTHERN PARLIAMENT. PREPARING FOR THE OPENING. (Received June 29, 12.10 n.m.) LONDON, June 27. Workmen are erecting a dais at the Dublin Board of Agriculture building and preparing seats.for th© meeting of the southern Parliament to-morrow. Tho military are in charge of the hall. Ihe Lord Justices will attend at three o’clock. No individual notices have leen issued to members-