]> Official Correspondence relating to the Peace Negotiations June-September, 1921 An electronic edition Éamon de Valera David Lloyd George Electronic edition compiled by Orla McDonald University College Cork Second draft. Proof corrections by Orla McDonald 16030 CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts: a project of University College Cork.
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 Editions Official Correspondence relating to the Peace Negotiations June-September, 1921. Dublin: Dáil Éireann, October 1921. The edition used in the digital edition Official Correspondence relating to the Peace Negotiations June-September, 1921 First edition 23pp Dáil Éireann Dublin October, 1921

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 By Eamon de Valera and David Lloyd George June 24th to July 9th, 1921 The text and translation is in English. Some text is in Irish. Some words are in Latin. legal prose 20c 1921 peace negotiations Civil War 2019-06-11 Beatrix Färber ed. Eamon standardized to Éamon. 2019-06-05 Beatrix Färber ed. Changes made to div0 type. 2011-01-28 Beatrix Färber ed. Conversion script run; header updated; new wordcount made. 2008-08-29 Beatrix Färber ed. File validated. 2005-07-30 Ruth Murphy ed. Keywords added. 2005-08-25 Julianne Nyhan ed. Normalised language codes and edited langUsage for XML conversion 2005-08-04T14:38:25+0100 Peter Flynn ed. Converted to XML 1998-05-25 Margaret Lantry ed. Text parsed using NSGMLS. 1998-05-18 Margaret Lantry ed. Header modified. 1998-05-12 Margaret Lantry ed. Header constructed. 1998-05-12 Orla McDonald ed. Structural and in-depth mark-up entered; text proofed. 1998-04-29 Orla McDonald ed. Text captured by scanning using OmniPage. DAIL EIREANN. Official Correspondence relating to the Peace Negotiations. PART 1.Preliminary Correspondence. June 24th—July 9th, 1921. Letter from the British Prime Minister to President de Valera, June 24th, 1921:— June 24th, 1921. Sir,

The British Government are deeply anxious that, so far as they can assure it, the King's appeal for reconciliation in Ireland shall not have not been made in vain. Rather than allow yet another opportunity of settlement in Ireland to be cast aside, they felt it incumbent upon them to make a final appeal, in the spirit of the King's words, for a conference between themselves and the representatives of Southern and Northern Ireland.

I write, therefore, to convey the following invitation to you as the chosen leader of the great majority in Southern Ireland, and to Sir James Craig, the Premier of Northern Ireland:— That you should attend a conference here in London, in company with Sir James Craig to explore to the utmost the possibility of a settlement. That you should bring with you for the purpose any colleagues whom you may select. The Government will, of course, give a safe conduct to all who may be chosen to participate in the conference.

We make this invitation with a fervent desire to end the ruinous conflict which has for centuries divided Ireland and embittered the relations of the peoples of these two islands, who ought to live in neighbourly harmony with each other, and whose co-operation would mean so much not only to the Empire but to humanity.

We wish that no endeavour should be lacking on our part to realise the King's prayer, and we ask you to meet us, as we will meet you, in the spirit of conciliation for which His Majesty appealed.

I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed), D. LLOYD GEORGE.
E. de Valera, Esq.
The British Prime Minister sent simultaneously an invitation in like terms to Sir James Craig, Premier of Northern Ireland. Reply of President de Valera, June 28th.
The Right Hon. David Lloyd George, 10 Downing Street, London.
June 28th, 1921. Sir,

I have received your letter. I am in consultation with such of the principal representatives of our nation as are available. We most earnestly desire to help in bringing about a lasting peace between the peoples of these two islands, but see no avenue by which it can be reached if you deny Ireland's essential unity and set aside the principle of national self-determination.

Before replying more fully to your letter, I am seeking a conference with certain representatives of the political minority in this country.

Mansion House, Dublin
(Signed), EAMON DE VALERA. Correspondence between President de Valera and representatives of the political minority in Ireland, June 28th-29th, 1921. Letter from President de Valera, June 28th, 1921:—
To: Sir James Craig, The Earl of Midleton, Sir Maurice E. Dockrell, Sir Robert H. Woods, Mr. Andrew Jameson.
June 28th, 1921. A Chara,

The reply which I, as spokesman for the Irish Nation, shall make to Mr. Lloyd George will affect the lives and fortunes of the political minority in this island, no less than those of the majority.

Before sending that reply, therefore, I would like to confer with you and to learn from you at first hand the views of a certain section of our people of whom you are representative.

I am confident that you will not refuse this service to Ireland, and I shall await you at the Mansion House, Dublin, at 11 a.m. on Monday next in the hope that you will find it possible to attend.

Mise, (Signed), EAMON DE VALERA. The President's invitation was accepted by the Earl of Midleton, Mr. Andrew Jameson, Sir Maurice Dockrell, and Sir Robert Woods. The letter to Sir James Craig having been delayed in transmission, the President, on June 28th, sent the following telegram to him:— To Sir James Craig, Craigavon, Co. Down

Can you come Dublin Monday next, 11 a.m.? On receipt of your reply will write you.

EAMON DE VALERA,
Mansion House, Dublin
(June 29th).

Sir James Craig telegraphed declining the invitation in the following terms:—

Impossible for me to arrange any meeting. I have already accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to London Conference, and, in order to obviate misunderstanding in Press between my namesake in the Southern Parliament and myself, I am publishing these telegrams.

JAMES CRAIG, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. (June 29th). On receipt of this reply President de Valera telegraphed as follows to Sir James Craig:—
Sir James Craig, City Hall, Belfast.
June 29th, 1921. Sir

I greatly regret you cannot come to conference here on Monday. Mr. Lloyd George's proposal, because of its implications, impossible of acceptance in its present form. Irish political differences ought to be adjusted, and can, I believe, be adjusted on Irish soil. But it is obvious that in negotiating peace with Great Britain the Irish delegation ought not to be divided, but should act as a unit on some common principle.

EAMON DE VALERA. Further letter from President de Valera to the British Prime Minister, July 8th. Conferences were held on July 4th and July 8th, at the Mansion House, Dublin, between President de Valera, the Earl of Midleton, Sir Robert Woods, Sir Maurice Dockrell, and Mr. Andrew Jameson. At the conclusion of the Conference on July 8th, the following official statement was issued:—

President de Valera informed the Conference of the terms in which he proposed to reply to the British Prime Minister's invitation.

At its previous session the Conference had expressed the view that it would be impossible to conduct negotiations with any hope of achieving satisfactory results unless there was a cessation of bloodshed in Ireland.

A letter to Lord Midleton from Mr. Lloyd George was read concurring in this view, and indicating the willingness of the British Government to assent to a suspension of active operations on both sides.

It is expected that an announcement of a truce, to take effect from Monday next, will be made early to-morrow.

President de Valera at the same time sent the following reply to the British Prime Minister's proposal of June 24th for a Conference in London:—
Mansion House, Dublin,
July 8th, 1921. Sir,

The desire you express on the part of the British Government to end the centuries of conflict between the peoples of these two islands, and to establish relations of neighbourly harmony, is the genuine desire of the people of Ireland.

I have consulted with my colleagues and secured the views of the representatives of the minority of our Nation in regard to the invitation you have sent me.

In reply, I desire to say that I am ready to meet and discuss with you on what bases such a Conference as that proposed can reasonably hope to achieve the object desired.

I am, Sir, Faithfully yours, EAMON DE VALERA. A Truce was subsequently declared, to date from Noon on July 11th. Mr. Lloyd George's Reply, July 9th. On July 9th Mr. Lloyd George telegraphed as follows:—
E. de Valera, Mansion House, Dublin.

I have received your letter of acceptance and shall be happy to see you and any colleagues whom you wish to bring with you at Downing Street any day this week. Please wire date of your arrival in London.

D. LLOYD GEORGE. The President telegraphed in reply that he could be in London for the Conference on Thursday next, the 14th. PART 2.Correspondence arising from the Conversations at London between President de Valera and the British Prime Minister. (July 20th—September 30th).

Four meetings took place between the British Prime Minister and President de Valera at 10 Downing Street, London, on July 14th, 15th, 18th and 21st.

On July 20th, the day preceding the last of these conversations, the subjoined document, embodying Proposals of the British Government for an Irish Settlement, was presented to the President, accompanied by the following covering letter:—
10 Downing Street, Whitehall, S. W. 1,
20th July, 1921. Sir,

I send you herewith the proposals of the British Government, which I promised you by this evening. I fear that they will reach you rather late, but I have only just been able to submit them on behalf of the Cabinet to the King.

I shall expect you here to-morrow at 11.30 a.m., as arranged at our last meeting.

I am, Your obedient servant, (Signed) D. LLOYD GEORGE.
Eamon de Valera, Esq., Grosvenor Hotel, S.W. 1

Proposals of the British Government for an Irish Settlement, 20th July, 1921.

The British Government are actuated by an earnest desire to end the unhappy divisions between Great Britain and Ireland which have produced so many conflicts in the past and which have once more shattered the peace and well-being of Ireland at the present time. They long, with His Majesty the King, in the words of His gracious speech in Ireland last month, for a satisfactory solution of those age-long Irish problems which for generations embarrassed our forefathers as they now weigh heavily upon us, and they wish to do their utmost to secure that every man of Irish birth, whatever be his creed and wherever be his home, should work in loyal co-operation with the free communities on which the British Empire is based. They are convinced that the Irish people may find as worthy and as complete an expression of their political and spiritual ideals within the Empire as any of the numerous and varied nations united in allegiance to His Majesty's throne; and they desire such consummation, not only for the welfare of Great Britain, Ireland and the Empire as a whole, but also for the cause of peace and harmony throughout the world. There is no part of the world where Irishmen have made their home but suffers from our ancient feuds; no part of it but looks to this meeting between the British Government and the Irish leaders to resolve these feuds in a new understanding honourable and satisfactory to all the peoples involved.

The free Nations which compose the British Empire are drawn from many races, with different histories, traditions, ideals. In the Dominion of Canada, British and French have long forgotten the bitter conflicts which divided their ancestors. In South Africa the Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State have joined with two British colonies to make a great self-governing union under His Majesty's sway. The British people cannot believe that where Canada and South Africa, with equal or even greater difficulties, have so signally succeeded, Ireland will fail; and they are determined that, so far as they themselves can assure it, nothing shall hinder Irish statesmen from joining together to build up an Irish state in free and willing co-operation with the other peoples of the Empire.

Moved by these considerations, the British Government invite Ireland to take her place in the great association of free nations over which His Majesty reigns. As earnest of their desire to obliterate old quarrels and to enable Ireland to face the future with her own strength and hope, they propose that Ireland shall assume forthwith the status of a Dominion with all the powers and privileges set forth in this document. By the adoption of Dominion status it is understood that Ireland shall enjoy complete autonomy in taxation and finance; that she shall maintain her own courts of law and judges; that she shall maintain her own military forces for home defence, her own constabulary and her own police; that she shall take over the Irish postal services and all matters relating thereto; education, land, agriculture, mines and minerals, forestry, housing, labour, unemployment, transport, trade, public health, health insurance and the liquor traffic; and, in sum, that she shall exercise all those powers and privileges upon which the autonomy of the self-governing Dominions is based, subject only to the considerations set out in the ensuing paragraphs. Guaranteed in these liberties, which no foreign people can challenge without challenging the Empire as a whole, the Dominions hold each and severally by virtue of their British fellowship a standing amongst the nations equivalent, not merely to their individual strength but to the combined power and influence of all nations of the Commonwealth. That guarantee, that fellowship, that freedom the whole Empire looks to Ireland to accept.

To this settlement the British Government are prepared to give immediate effect upon the following conditions, which are, in their opinion vital to the welfare and safety of both Great Britain and Ireland, forming as they do the heart of the Commonwealth.

The common concern of Great Britain and Ireland in the defence of their interests by land and sea shall be mutually recognised. Great Britain lives by sea-borne food; her communications depend upon the freedom of the great sea routes. Ireland lies at Britain's side across the sea ways North and South that link her with the sister nations of the Empire, the markets of the world and the vital sources of her food supply. In recognition of this fact, which nature has imposed and no statesmanship can change, it is essential that the Royal Navy alone should control the seas around Ireland and Great Britain, and that such rights and liberties should be accorded to it by the Irish State as are essential for naval purposes in the Irish harbours and on the Irish coast. In order that the movement towards the limitation of armaments which is now making progress in the world should in no way be hampered, it is stipulated that the Irish Territorial force shall within reasonable limits conform in respect of numbers to the military establishments of the other parts of these islands. The position of Ireland is also of great importance for the Air Services, both military and civil. The Royal Air Force will need facilities for all purposes that it serves; and Ireland will form an essential link in the development of Air routes between the British Isles and the North American Continent. It is therefore stipulated that Great Britain shall have all necessary facilities for the development of defence and of communications by Air. Great Britain hopes that Ireland will in due course and of her own free will contribute in proportion to her wealth to the regular Naval, Military and Air forces of the Empire. It is further assumed that voluntary recruitment for these forces will be permitted throughout Ireland, particularly for those famous Irish Regiments which have so long and so gallantly served His Majesty in all parts of the world. While the Irish people shall enjoy complete autonomy in taxation and finance, it is essential to prevent a recurrence of ancient differences between the two islands, and in particular to avert the possibility of ruinous trade wars. With this object in view, the British and Irish Governments shall agree to impose no protective duties or other restrictions upon the flow of transport, trade and commerce between all parts of these islands. The Irish people shall agree to assume responsibility for a share of the present debt of the United Kingdom and of the liability of pensions arising out of the Great War, the share in default of agreement between the Governments concerned to be determined by an independent arbitrator appointed from within His Majesty's Dominions.

In accordance with these principles, the British Government propose that the conditions of settlement between Great Britain and Ireland shall be embodied in the form of a Treaty, to which effect shall in due course be given by the British and Irish Parliaments. They look to such an instrument to obliterate old conflicts forthwith, to clear the way for a detailed settlement in full accordance with Irish conditions and needs, and thus to establish a new and happier relation between Irish patriotism and that wider community of aims and interests by which the unity of the whole Empire is freely sustained.

The form in which the settlement is to take effect will depend upon Ireland herself. It must allow for full recognition of the existing powers and privileges of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, which cannot be abrogated except by their own consent. For their part, the British Government entertain an earnest hope that the necessity of harmonious co-operation amongst Irishmen of all classes and creeds will be recognised throughout Ireland, and they will welcome the day when by those means unity is achieved. But no such common action can be secured by force. Union came in Canada by the free consent of the Provinces; so in Australia; so in South Africa. It will come in Ireland by no other way than consent. There can, in fact, be no settlement on terms involving, on the one side or the other, that bitter appeal to bloodshed and violence which all men of good will are longing to terminate. The British Government will undertake to give effect, so far as that depends on them, to any terms in this respect on which all Ireland unites. But in no conditions can they consent to any proposals which would kindle civil war in Ireland. Such a war would not touch Ireland alone, for partisans would flock to either side from Great Britain, the Empire, and elsewhere, with consequences more devastating to the welfare both of Ireland and the Empire than the conflict to which a truce has been called this month. Throughout the Empire there is a deep desire that the day of violence should pass and that a solution should be found, consonant with the highest ideals and interests of all parts of Ireland, which will enable her to co-operate as a willing partner in the British Commonwealth.

The British Government will therefore leave Irishmen themselves to determine by negotiations between themselves whether the new powers which the Pact defines shall be taken over by Ireland as a whole and administered by a single Irish body, or be taken over separately by Southern and Northern Ireland, with or without a joint authority to harmonise their common interests. They will willingly assist in the negotiation of such a settlement, if Irishmen should so desire.

By these proposals the British Government sincerely believe that they will have shattered the foundations of that ancient hatred and distrust which have disfigured our common history for centuries past. The future of Ireland within the Commonwealth is for the Irish people to shape.

In the foregoing proposals the British Government have attempted no more than the broad outline of a settlement. The details they leave for discussion when the Irish people have signified their acceptance of the principle of this pact.

10 Downing Street, S.W.1,
July 20th, 1921.

Reply of the Ministry of Dail Eireann, August 10th, 1921.

In reply to this communication, President de Valera, on behalf of the Ministry of Dáil Eireann, addressed to the British Prime Minister the letter printed below.

The letter was presented at 10 Downing Street, London, at noon on August 11th by Commandant Robert Barton, T.D., accompanied by Mr. Art O'Brien and Commandant Joseph McGrath, T.D., and ran as follows:—

 10 Lughnasa, 1921.
Dáithí Onórach Leód Seóirse, 10, Sráid Downing, i Lonndain
A Chara,

An tráth ba dhiadnaighe bhíomair i gcomhairle a chéile thugas mar thuairim uaim ná féadfadh Dáil Eireann is ná déanfadh muinntear na hEireann glacadh le tairsgint bhur Riaghaltais fé mar leagadh amach é i sgríbhinn úd an 20adh lae d'Iúl a chuiris fé mo dhéin. Tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh lem' chomhdhaltaibh agus dianmhachtnamh do dhéanamh ar an tairsgint deinim deimhin de'n tuairim sin anois.

An míniughadh tugtar 'san scríbhinn sáruigheann sé é féin, agus ní furas brígh an Chonnartha do dhéanamh amach. Chomh fada is mar chialluigheann sé go ngabhann a náisiúntacht féin le hEirinn is go bhfuil de cheart aici a réir féin do cheapadh glacaimíd leis, gan amhras. Acht ins na ceanglaibh agus na coingheallacaibh i dtaoibh nidhthe atá bunadh-sach is greannmhar linn go gcuirtear an bhrígh sin ar leath-taoibh, agus leigeann bhur Riaghaltas-sa ortha go bhfuil de chead aca cur isteach ar ár ngnóthaibh agus smacht do chur orainn i slighe nach féadaimíd a admháil.

Tá de cheart ag Eirinn a rogha slighe do ghabháil fa'n saoghal atá i ndán di, agus ceart é nach ceadtha dhúinn a scaoileadh ar cheal. Ceart é tá dá bhuan-chosaint tre ciantaibh de chruadhtan, tre iodhbairt nár sáruigheadh riamh, is tre ghéirleanmhain nár áirmhigheadh riamh, agus ní thabharfar suas é choidhche. Ní dual dúinne a chur ar neamhbhrígh ná a lagughadh. Mar a chéile, ní dleaghthach do'n Bhreatain Mhóir ná d'aon stát eile ná cumann stát bacadh le héifeacht an chirt sin ar mhaithe le n-a gcúramaibh áirithe féin.

Is é tuairim muinntire na hEireann go dtiocfaidh buanrath na tíre dá ríribh tre bheith i n-a haonar i gcúrsaibh polaitíochta, saor ó shnadbmaibh impireamhla do cheangalfadh iad i n-eachtraibh nach réidhteochadh le tréithibh an náisiúin agus a mhillfeadh na nidhthe is annsa leo, agus ná tabharfadh mar thoradh chughtha acht cogtha creachta is cúramaidhe móra, míoshástacht an phobail, achrann fóirleathan is míshéan. Ar nós beag-státa na hEorpa, ní miste leo go seasochadh a neamhspleadhchas ar bhunadhas cirt; bheadh dóchas aca, ó budh rud é ná bagrochaidís féin ar thír ná ar mhuinntir eile, go mbeidís féin saor ar an gcuma céadna ó ionnsuidhe eachtrannach. Sin é an tuairim a chuireadar i gcéill arís agus arís eile tre ghuth an phobail; agus is do réir mar druidtear uaidh sin, no ó aon chúrsa eile ba mhian leis an bpobal, a thuigfear cad é an méid fóiréigin iasachta agus lámh láidir a bheidh le cur i bhfeidhm i gcoinnibh na nidhthe is mian le furmhór ár ndaoine.

Maidir liom féin is lem' chomhdhaltaibh, is é ár dtuarim daingean gur tre dheighilt ghlan charthannach is túisce thiocfaidh an muinnteardhas le Sacsaibh atá curtha ar athló le ciantaibh de bharr fóiréigin airm. An eagla so go ndéanfaidhe ionad de thalamh na hEireann chum fogha do thabhairt fé shaoirse Shacsan—eagla gan bhun do réir a dtuairime—is féidir deimhniughadh oireamhnach da thabhairt i n-a thaoibh san nach beidh bun os cionn le staid saorstáit.

Gach duine a thuigeann cúrsaidhe an scéil is léir do nach bhfuil acht samhail bréige 'san abairt úd Staid Tighearnachta d'Eirinn. An saoirse atá ag na Tighearnachtaibh so fé chomairce Bhreatan is lugha tá sé aca de bharr reacht is connradh 'ná de dheascaibh na móraistear idir iad féin is an Bhreatain Mhór; ni leigid na haistir seo dhi cur isteach ortha. Gach deimhniughadh dearbhtha is féidir a cheapadh; fiú an cead deighilte atá, mar admhuightear, ag na Tighearnachtaibh, níor mhór iad chun a shamhail de shaoirse do dheimhniughadh d'Eirinn. Ní léir dúinn aon deimhniughadh mar soin ná a rian féin i nbhur dtairsgint. I n-a ionad san, cuirtear an staid, mar atá, bun as cionn; an láthair mar a bhfuilimíd i gcomórtas leis an mBreatain Mhóir deintear leathscéal de chum ár gceart do dhiúltadh is do chumhangadh i slighe nach aithnid do Thighearnachtaibh: is éigin do'n oileán bheag dlúthchosaint is deimhniughadh eile do thabhairt do'n oileán mhór do réir deallraimh, agus glacadh le staid sealbhuidheachta fé dhearbh-smacht.

Is soiléir ná féadfaimís-na a thabhairt mar chomhairle dár muinntir glacadh le n-a leithéid de thairsgint. Badh thoil linn saor-cheangal áirithe le Cumann na Náisiún fé Chomairce Bhreatan, amhail is dá mba Cumann de Náisiunaibh áirithe é, do mholadh; agus níor mhiste linn mar Riaghaltas, Connradh dhéanamh i n-a thaoibh, agus a chur mar chúram orainn féin, dá n-eirgheadh linn deimhniughadh d'fhagháil go mbeadh an beagán dár ndaoinibh nach tagann linn anois dílis dúinn dá gcuirimís a shamhail de cheangal ar ár náisiún uile, rud do cheapamair d'aon ghnó mar chomhartha báidhe leo súd.

Is toil linn connartha i dtaoibh bhur dtairsgean mar gheall ar shaor-thráchtáil is laigheadughadh arm ar gach taoibh do shocrughadh aon tráth. Gan amhras d'fhéadfaidhe socrugadh do dhéanamh eadrainn a rachadh i dtairbhe do choimhshlightibh i gcomhair tráchtála 'san aer, tre bhóithribh iarainn, is mar soin de. Is deimhin ná cuirfimíd-na aon bhac ar an gcaidreamh cneasta i gcúrsaibh ceannuidheachta is riachtanach do shaoghal an dá oileán, is gurab iad féin araon an ceannuidhe is fearr agus an margadh is fearr ag a chéile. Is éigin a thuigsint, ámh, nár mhór gach coimhcheangal is connradh aca súd do leagadh os comhair Riaghaltais an náisiúin i dtosach, chum go ndéanfaidhe a ndeimhniughadh, agus iar shoin os comhair muinntire na hEireann uile fé choingeallachaibh a léireochaidh gur breitheamhnas ar a dtoil féin an breitheamhnas agus ná raibh aon rian de smacht airm le tabhairt fé ndeara aca le n-a linn.

An bhaint atá ag Eirinn le cuid de fhiachaibh na Ríoghachta Aontuighthe fé láthair ní miste linn a shocrughadh san d'fhágaint fé bhord breitheamhan: Eire aimneochadh duine aca, an Bhreatain Mhór an dara duine, agus thoghfaidís eadartha an treas duine, na dá dteipeadh ortha dhéanfadh Uachtarán Stát Aontuighthe Ameirice, abair, é ainmniughadh dá mbudh thoil leis san.

I dtaoibh an nidhe atá i gceist i gcúrsaibh polaitíochta idir bheagán de mhuinntir na hEireann agus a bhfurmhór mór, caithfear réidhteacht na ceiste sin d'fhágaint fé mhuinntir na hEireann féin. Ní dual dúinn a admháil go bhfuil de cheart ag Riaghaltas Bhreatan ár n-oileán do chreim-ghearradh ar mhaithe leo féin no mar fhreagra ar chuireadh ó aon roinnt dár ndaoinibh. Níl ceaptha againne feidhm do bhaint as fóiréigean. Má dhruideann bhur Riaghaltas-sa ar leathtaoibh tiocfaidh linne cáirdeas do cheangal eadrainn uile. Táimíd ar aon aigne libh nach tre smacht a thagann coimhcheangal is cáirdeas. Is eadh is truagh linn nach toil le nbhur Riaghaltas fós an chomhairle chiallmhar so leagann sibh amach dúinne i gcomhair socruighthe ár gceiste teóranta annso do chur i bhfeidhm i gcomhair socruighthe na ceiste bunadhsaighe atá ag síor-chur isteach ar mhuinteardhas an dá oileán so. I n-ár dtaoibh-na, an leigheas go seasuighmíd air thall glacfaimíd leis i bhfus. Agus muna féidir socrughadh do cheapadh le comhthoil gan mhoill is toil linn, fós, socrughadh na ceiste seo d'fhágaint fé bhreitheamhnas iasachta.

Dá réir sin is toil linn teacht libh i ngach nidh dá bhfuil oireamhnach cóir. Ní ar ár Riaghaltas-na acht ar bhur Riaghaltas-sa atá sé mar phríomh chúram síothcháin do sholáthairt le onóir. Níl aon choingheallacha againne le déanamh, aon éileamh againn le cur, acht an t-aon cheann .i. go mbeimís saor ó ionnsuidhe eachtrann. Cúitighimíd libh go dúthrachtach an dúil seo luaidhte agaibh i gcomhcháirdeas buan, agus is móide ár ndúthracht 'san dúil sin an ghéirleanmhain atá curtha dhíobh le ciantaibh ag ár muinntir. An sean-achrann so gur aithreachas libh é, ní raibh riamh mar bhun leis, mar is eol dúinn agus mar is léir ó sheanchus, acht an t-ionnsuidhe dhein lucht riaghalta Sacsan ar shaoirse Eireann. Is féidir deireadh a chur leis an ionnsuidhe sin láithreach má's toil le nbhur Riaghaltas é. Tá slighe na síothchána ar leathadh romhainn.

Mise, do chara gan cháim, (Síghnithe) EAMON DE VALERA. (Official Translation).
Office of The President. Dublin. Mansion House,
August 10th, 1921.
The Right Hon. David Lloyd George, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, London.
Sir,

On the occasion of our last interview I gave it as my judgment that Dáil Eireann could not and that the Irish people would not accept the proposals of your Government as set forth in the draft of July 20th, which you had presented to me. Having consulted my colleagues, and with them given these proposals the most earnest consideration, I now confirm that judgment.

The outline given in the draft is self-contradictory, and the principle of the pact not easy to determine. To the extent that it implies a recognition of Ireland's separate nationhood and her right to self-determination, we appreciate and accept it. But in the stipulations and express conditions concerning the matters that are vital the principle is strangely set aside and a claim advanced by your Government to an interference in our affairs, and to a control which we cannot admit.

Ireland's right to choose for herself the path she shall take to realise her own destiny must be accepted as indefeasible. It is a right that has been maintained through centuries of oppression and at the cost of unparalleled sacrifice and untold suffering, and it will not be surrendered. We cannot propose to abrogate or impair it, nor can Britain or any other foreign state or group of states legitimately claim to interfere with its exercise in order to serve their own special interests.

The Irish people's belief is that the national destiny can best be realised in political detachment, free from Imperialistic entanglements which they feel will involve enterprises out of harmony with the national character, prove destructive of their ideals, and be fruitful only of ruinous wars, crushing burdens, social discontent, and general unrest and unhappiness. Like the small states of Europe, they are prepared to hazard their independence on the basis of moral right, confident that as they would threaten no nation or people they would in turn be free from aggression themselves. This is the policy they have declared for in plebiscite after plebiscite, and the degree to which any other line of policy deviates from it must be taken as a measure of the extent to which external pressure is operative and violence is being done to the wishes of the majority.

As for myself and my colleagues, it is our deep conviction that true friendship with England, which military coercion has frustrated for centuries, can be obtained most readily now through amicable but absolute separation. The fear, groundless though we believe it to be, that Irish territory may be used as the basis for an attack upon England's liberties, can be met by reasonable guarantees not inconsistent with Irish sovereignty.

Dominion status for Ireland everyone who understands the conditions knows to be illusory. The freedom which the British Dominions enjoy is not so much the result of legal enactments or of treaties as of the immense distances which separate them from Britain and have made interference by her impracticable. The most explicit guarantees, including the Dominions' acknowledged right to secede, would be necessary to secure for Ireland an equal degree of freedom. There is no suggestion, however, in the proposals made of any such guarantees. Instead, the natural position is reversed; our geographical situation with respect to Britain is made the basis of denials and restrictions unheard of in the case of the Dominions; the smaller island must give military safeguards and guarantees to the larger and suffer itself to be reduced to the position of a helpless dependency.

It should be obvious that we could not urge the acceptance of such proposals upon our people. A certain treaty of free association with the British Commonwealth group, as with a partial league of nations, we would have been ready to recommend, and as a Government to negotiate and take responsibility for, had we an assurance that the entry of the nation as a whole into such association would secure for it the allegiance of the present dissenting minority, to meet whose sentiment alone this step could be contemplated.

Treaties dealing with the proposals for free inter-trade and mutual limitation of armaments we are ready at any time to negotiate. Mutual agreement for facilitating air communications, as well as railway and other communications, can, we feel certain, also be effected. No obstacle of any kind will be placed by us in the way of that smooth commercial intercourse which is essential in the life of both islands, each the best customer and the best market of the other. It must, of course, be understood that all treaties and agreements would have to be submitted for ratification to the national legislature in the first instance, and subsequently to the Irish people as a whole under circumstances which would make it evident that their decision would be a free decision, and that every element of military compulsion was absent.

The question of Ireland's liability for a share of the present debt of the United Kingdom we are prepared to leave to be determined by a board of arbitrators, one appointed by Ireland, one by Great Britain, and a third to be chosen by agreement, or in default, to be nominated, say, by the President of the United States of America, if the President would consent.

As regards the question at issue between the political minority and the great majority of the Irish people, that must remain a question for the Irish people themselves to settle. We cannot admit the right of the British Government to mutilate our country, either in its own interest or at the call of any section of our population. We do not contemplate the use of force. If your Government stands aside, we can effect a complete reconciliation. We agree with you that no common action can be secured by force. Our regret is that this wise and true principle which your Government prescribes to us for the settlement of our local problem it seems unwilling to apply consistently to the fundamental problem of the relations between our island and yours. The principle we rely on in the one case we are ready to apply in the other, but should this principle not yield an immediate settlement we are willing that this question too be submitted to external arbitration.

Thus we are ready to meet you in all that is reasonable and just. The responsibility for initiating and effecting an honourable peace rests primarily not with our Government, but with yours. We have no conditions to impose, no claims to advance but the one, that we be freed from aggression. We reciprocate with a sincerity to be measured only by the terrible sufferings our people have undergone the desire you express for mutual and lasting friendship. The sole cause of the ancient feuds which you deplore has been, as we know, and as history proves, the attacks of English rulers upon Irish liberties. These attacks can cease forthwith, if your Government has the will. The road to peace and understanding lies open.

I am, Sir, Faithfully yours, (Signed) EAMON DE VALERA. Letter from the British Prime Minister to President de Valera, August 13th, 1921.

On Sunday morning, the 14th August, Commandant Robert Barton handed to President de Valera the following letter of reply from the British Prime Minister:—
10 Downing Street, Whitehall, S.W. 1.,
13th August, 1921. Sir,

The earlier part of your letter is so much opposed to our fundamental position that we feel bound to leave you in no doubt of our meaning. You state that after consulting your colleagues you confirm your declaration that our proposals are such as Dáil Eireann could not and the Irish people would not accept. You add that the outline given in our draft is self-contradictory, and the principle of the pact offered to you not easy to determine. We desire, therefore, to make our position absolutely clear.

In our opinion, nothing is to be gained by prolonging a theoretical discussion of the national status which you may be willing to accept as compared with that of the great self- governing Dominions of the British Commonwealth, but we must direct your attention to one point upon which you lay some emphasis and upon which no British Government can com promise—namely, the claim that we should acknowledge the right of Ireland to secede from her allegiance to the King. No such right can ever be acknowledged by us. The geographical propinquity of Ireland to the British Isles is a fundamental fact. The history of the two islands for many centuries, however it is read, is sufficient proof that their destinies are indissolubly linked. Ireland has sent members to the British Parliament for more than a hundred years. Many thousands of her people during all that time have enlisted freely and served gallantly in the Forces of the Crown. Great numbers, in all the Irish provinces, are profoundly attached to the Throne. These facts permit of one answer, and one only, to the claim that Britain should negotiate with Ireland as a separate and foreign power.

When you, as the chosen representative of Irish National ideals, came to speak with me, I made one condition only, of which our proposals plainly stated the effect—that Ireland should recognise the force of geographical and historical facts. It is those facts which govern the problem of British and Irish relations. If they did not exist, there would be no problem to discuss.

I pass therefore to the conditions which are imposed by these facts. We set them out clearly in six clauses in our former proposals, and need not re-state them here, except to say that the British Government cannot consent to the reference of any such questions, which concern Great Britain and Ireland alone, to the arbitration of a foreign Power.

We are profoundly glad to have your agreement that Northern Ireland cannot be coerced. This point is of great importance, because the resolve of our people to resist with their full power any attempt at secession by one part of Ireland carries with it of necessity an equal resolve to resist any effort to coerce another part of Ireland to abandon its allegiance to the Crown. We gladly give you the assurance that we will concur in any settlement which Southern and Northern Ireland may make for Irish unity within the six conditions already laid down, which apply to Southern and Northern Ireland alike; but we cannot agree to refer the question of your relations with Northern Ireland to foreign arbitration.

The conditions of the proposed settlement do not arise from any desire to force our will upon people of another race, but from facts which are as vital to Ireland's welfare as to our own. They contain no derogation from Ireland's status as a Dominion, no desire for British ascendancy over Ireland, and no impairment of Ireland's national ideals.

Our proposals present to the Irish people an opportunity such as has never dawned in their history before. We have made them in the sincere desire to achieve peace; but beyond them we cannot go. We trust that you will be able to accept them in principle. I shall be ready to discuss their application in detail whenever your acceptance in principle is communicated to me.

I am, Yours faithfully, (Signed) D. LLOYD GEORGE.
Eamon de Valera, Esq., The Mansion House, Dublin.
Reply made by the Ministry of Dail Eireann, August 24th, 1921.

The following reply made by President de Valera on behalf of the Ministry of Dáil Eireann was presented at No.10 Downing Street at 1 p.m. on August 25th by Commandant Robert BartonT.D., accompanied by Mr. Art O'Brien and Commandant Joseph McGrath, T.D.

 24 Lughnasa, 1921.
Do Dháithí Uasal Leód Seóirse, 10, Sráid Downing, i Lonndain.
A Chara,

An tuairim do bhí agam roimh ré agus me ag tabhairt freagra ort an 10adh lá de Lughnasa tá deimhniughadh déanta air anois. Leagas tairsgint bhur Riaghaltais-sa os comhair Dála Eireann, agus dheineadar a dhiúltadh d'aon ghuth.

Ba léir ó nbhur litir an 13adh lá de Lughnasa gur mhian libh go n-admhuighmís nár mhór ceart na hEireann do bheith ar lár ar mhaithe le cúrsaibh cosanta Sacsan do réir mar shaoil sí féin, toisc a chomhgaraighe is bhí Eire do Shacsaibh; agus nár mhór d'Eirinn géilleadh do'n smacht iasachta anois toisc a fhaid agus a dhícheallaighe is do bhítheas a d'iarraidh Eire do chur fé'n smacht soin 'san am atá imighthe.

Ní féidir liom a chreideamhaint gur mheas bhur Riaghaltas feidhm do bhaint as neart airm gan scál a chuirfeadh ar neamhnidh macántacht na náisiún is a chuirfeadh críoch le síothcháin an domhain. Má théigheann ceart saoirse an náisiúin bhig ar cheal chomh luath is chuireann comhursa neartmhar dúil 'san tír i gcomhair airm no pé buntáiste eile bheadh le baint as, sin deireadh le saoirse. Ní fhéadfadh náisiún beag súil do beith aici le neamhspleadhchas iomshlán feasta. D'fhéadfaidhe Tír fo Thuinn is Danmharc do chur fé smacht na Gearmáine, Flondras fé smacht na Gearmáine no na Frainnce, an Portainéal fé smacht na Spáinne. Náisiúin dár ceangladh d'impireachtaibh le neart fóiréigin, má chaillid a neamhspleadhchas dá dheascaibh, níl aithbreith na saoirse i ndán dóibh feasta. Maidir le hEirinn má luadhtar go bhfuil sí ag scaradh le páirtidheacht nár ghlac sí riamh leis, no le dílse nár gheall sí riamh, níl ann acht bréag ó bhonn; mar a chéile, éagcóir ó bhonn bheith ag éileamh a neamhspleadhchas do chur fé chois ar mhaithe le cosaint Sacsan. Ní féidir linne .i. teachtaidhe an náisiúin, géilleadh do cheactar aca.

Ní thréigfimíd-na onóir ár dtíre ná an ceart a tugadh dúinn le cosaint; agus má dheineann Sacsa adhbhar cogaidh de sin, is truagh linn é. Is léir dúinn cad é ár gcúram ar son na mbeo, agus ní lugha ár dtuigsint 'san nidh is dual dúinn agus 'san chomaoin atá orainn ag ár marbh cródha Ní rabhamair ar lorg troda, is nílmíd ar lorg troda; acht má chuirtear an comhrac orainn caithfimíd sinn féin do chosaint agus déanfaimíd san. Agus ciaca eirgheochaidh linn no ná eirgheochaidh, beimíd deimhnighthe ná molfaidh aon dream fear ná ban de theachtaibh Eireann do'n náisiún an ceart is dual di do scaoileadh uaithe.

Is mór is mian linn deireadh do chur leis an achrann so idir Eirinn agus Sacsaibh. Má tá ceaptha ag bhur Riaghaltas-sa a toil d'imirt orainn le neart fóréigin agus coingeallacha do leagadh amach roimh ré a bhainfeadh dínn ár staid dúthchais is a dhéanfadh adhbhar magaidh de'n socrughadh so ar siubhal eadrainn, sibh-se bheidh ciontach le buaine an achrainn.

Do réir na gnáth-chomhairle úd gur toil an phobuil is bun le Riaghaltas is féidir síothcháin do dhéanamh feasta, agus síothcháin go mbeidh ceart is onóir ann do chách is go mbeidh cneastacht is buan-mhuinnteardhas mar thoradh air. Is toil le Dáil Eireann teachtaidhe do thoghadh chun a leithéid de shíothcháin do dhéanamh; agus lán-chomhacht do thabhairt dóibh chun a chur i bhfeidhm i nbhur dteannta-sa, má ghéilleann bhur Riaghaltas do'n ghnáth-chomhairle seo luaidhte.

Mise, do chara gan cháim, (Síghnithe) EAMON DE VALERA. (Official Translation).
The Right Hon. David Lloyd George, 10, Downing Street, Whitehall, London.
Mansion House, Dublin,
August 24th, 1921. Sir,

The anticipatory judgment I gave in my reply of August 10th has been confirmed. I laid the proposals of your Government before Dáil Eireann, and, by an unanimous vote, it has rejected them.

From your letter of August 13th it was clear that the principle we were asked to accept was that the geographical propinquity of Ireland to Britain imposed the condition of the subordination of Ireland's right to Britain's strategic interests as she conceives them, and that the very length and persistence of the efforts made in the past to compel Ireland's acquiescence in a foreign domination imposed the condition of acceptance of that domination now.

We cannot believe that your Government intend to commit itself to a principle of sheer militarism destructive of international morality and fatal to the world's peace. If a small nation's right to independence is forfeit when a more powerful neighbour covets its territory for the military or other advantages it is supposed to confer, there is an end to liberty. No longer can any small nation claim a right to a separate sovereign existence. Holland and Denmark can be made subservient to Germany, Belgium to Germany or to France, Portugal to Spain. If nations that have been forcibly annexed to empires lose thereby their title to independence, there can be for them no rebirth to freedom. In Ireland's case, to speak of her seceding from a partnership she has not accepted, or from an allegiance which she has not undertaken to render, is fundamentally false, just as the claim to subordinate her independence to British strategy is fundamentally unjust. To neither can we, as the representatives of the Nation, lend countenance.

If our refusal to betray our nation's honour and the trust that has been reposed in us is to be made an issue of war by Great Britain, we deplore it. We are as conscious of our responsibilities to the living as we are mindful of principle or of our obligations to the heroic dead. We have not sought war, nor do we seek war, but if war be made upon us we must defend ourselves and shall do so, confident that whether our defence be successful or unsuccessful no body of representative Irishmen or Irishwomen will ever propose to the nation the surrender of its birthright.

We long to end the conflict between Britain and Ireland. If your Government be determined to impose its will upon us by force and, antecedent to negotiation, to insist upon conditions that involve a surrender of our whole national position and make negotiation a mockery, the responsibility for the continuance of the conflict rests upon you.

On the basis of the broad guiding principle of government by the consent of the governed, peace can be secured—a peace that will be just and honourable to all, and fruitful of concord and enduring amity. To negotiate such a peace, Dáil Eireann is ready to appoint its representatives, and, if your Government accepts the principle proposed, to invest them with plenary powers to meet and arrange with you for its application in detail.

I am, Sir, Faithfully yours, (Signed) EAMON DE VALERA. Further letter from the British Prime Minister, August 26th, 1921.
10, Downing Street, London, S.W. 1,
26th August, 1921. Sir,

The British Government are profoundly disappointed by your letter of August 24th, which was delivered to me yesterday. You write of the conditions of a meeting between us as though no meeting had ever taken place. I must remind you, therefore, that when I asked you to meet me six weeks ago, I made no preliminary conditions of any sort. You came to London on that invitation and exchanged views with me at three meetings of considerable length. The proposals which I made to you after those meetings were based upon full and sympathetic consideration of the views which you expressed. As I have already said, they were not made in any haggling spirit. On the contrary, my colleagues and I went to the very limit of our powers in endeavouring to reconcile British and Irish interests. Our proposals have gone far beyond all precedent, and have been approved as liberal by the whole civilised world. Even in quarters which have shown a sympathy with the most extreme of Irish claims, they are regarded as the utmost which the Empire can reasonably offer or Ireland reasonably expect. The only criticism of them which I have yet heard outside Ireland is from those who maintain that our proposals have outstepped both warrant and wisdom in their liberality. Your letter shows no recognition of this, and further negotiations must, I fear, be futile unless some definite progress is made towards acceptance of a basis.

You declare that our proposals involve a surrender of Ireland's whole national position and reduce her to subservience. What are the facts? Under the settlement which we have outlined Ireland would control every nerve and fibre of her national existence; she would speak her own language and make her own religious life; she would have complete power over taxation and finance, subject only to an agreement for keeping trade and transport as free as possible between herself and Great Britain, her best market; she would have uncontrolled authority over education and all the moral and spiritual interests of her race; she would have is also over law and order, over land and agriculture, over the conditions of labour and industry, over the health and homes of her people, and over her own land defence. She would, in fact, within the shores of Ireland, be free in every aspect of national activity, national expression and national development. The States of the American Union, sovereign though they be, enjoy no such range of rights. And our proposals go even further, for they invite Ireland to take her place as a partner in the great commonwealth of free nations united by allegiance to the King.

We consider that these proposals completely fulfil your wish that the principle of government by consent of the governed should be the broad guiding principle of the settlement which your plenipotentiaries are to negotiate. That principle was first developed in England, and is the mainspring of the representative institutions which she was the first to create. It was spread by her throughout the world, and is now the very life of the British Commonwealth. We could not have invited the Irish people to take their place in that Commonwealth on any other principle, and we are convinced that through it we can heal the old misunderstandings and achieve an enduring partnership as honourable to Ireland as to the other nations of which the Commonwealth consists.

But when you argue that the relations of Ireland with the British Empire are comparable in principle to those of Holland or Belgium with the German Empire, I find it necessary to repeat once more that those are premises which no British Government, whatever its complexion, can ever accept. In demanding that Ireland should be treated as a separate sovereign Power, with no allegiance to the Crown and no loyalty to the sister nations of the Commonwealth, you are advancing claims which the most famous national leaders in Irish history, from Grattan to Parnell and Redmond, have explicitly disowned. Grattan, in a famous phrase, declared that the ocean protests against separation, and the sea against union. Daniel O'Connell, the most eloquent perhaps of all the spokesmen of the Irish national cause, protested thus in the House of Commons in 1830:—

Never did monarch receive more undivided allegiance than the present king from the men who in Ireland agitate the repeal of the Union. Never, too, was there a grosser calumny than to assert that they wish to produce a separation between the two countries. Never was there a greater mistake than to suppose that we wish to dissolve the connection.

And in a well-known letter to the Duke of Wellington in 1845, Thomas Davis, the fervent exponent of the ideals of Young Ireland, wrote:—

I do not seek a raw repeal of the Act of Union. I want you to retain the Imperial Parliament with its Imperial power. I ask you only to disencumber it of those cares which exhaust its patience and embarrass its attention. I ask you to give Ireland a Senate of some sort, selected by the people, in part or in whole; levying their Customs and Excise and other taxes; making their roads, harbours, railways, canals, and bridges; encouraging their manufactures, commerce, agriculture and fisheries; settling their Poor Laws, their tithes, tenures, grand juries and franchises; giving a vent to ambition, an opportunity for knowledge, restoring the absentees, securing work, and diminishing poverty, crime, ignorance and discontent. This, were I an Englishman, I should ask for England, besides the Imperial Parliament. So would I for Wales, were I a Welshman, and for Scotland, were I a Scotchman; this I ask for Ireland.

 The British Government have offered Ireland all that O'Connell and Thomas Davis asked, and more; and we are met only by an unqualified demand that we should recognise Ireland as a foreign power. It is playing with phrases to suggest that the principle of government by consent of the governed compels a recognition of that demand on our part, or that in repudiating it we are straining geographical and historical considerations to justify a claim to ascendancy over the Irish race. There is no political principle, however clear, that can be applied without regard to limitations imposed by physical and historical facts. Those limitations are as necessary as the very principle itself of the structure of every free nation; to deny them would involve the dissolution of all democratic States. It is on these elementary grounds that we have called attention to the governing force of the geographical propinquity of these two islands, and of their long historic association despite great differences of character and race. We do not believe that the permanent reconciliation of Great Britain and Ireland can ever be attained without a recognition of their physical and historical inter-dependence, which makes complete political and economic separation impracticable for both.

I cannot better express the British standpoint in this respect than in words used of the Northern and Southern States by Abraham Lincoln in the First Inaugural Address. They were spoken by him on the brink of the American Civil War, which he was striving to avert:—

Physically speaking he said we cannot separate. We cannot remove our respective sections from each other, nor build an impassible wall between them. … It is impossible, then, to make that intercourse more advantageous or more satisfactory after separation than before. … Suppose you go to war, you cannot fight always; and when, after much loss on both sides and no gain on either, you cease fighting, the identical old questions as to terms of intercourse are again upon you.

I do not think it can be reasonably contended that the relations of Great Britain and Ireland are in any different case.

I thought I had made it clear, both in my conversations with you and in my two subsequent communications, that we can discuss no settlement which involves a refusal on the part of Ireland to accept our invitation to free, equal, and loyal partnership in the British Commonwealth under one Sovereign. We are reluctant to precipitate the issue, but we must point out that a prolongation of the present state of affairs is dangerous. Action is being taken in various directions which, if continued, would prejudice the truce and must ultimately lead to its termination. This would indeed be deplorable. Whilst, therefore, prepared to make every allowance as to time which will advance the cause of peace, we cannot prolong a mere exchange of notes. It is essential that some definite and immediate progress should be made towards a basis upon which further negotiations can usefully proceed. Your letter seems to us unfortunately to show no such progress.

In this and my previous letters I have set forth the considerations which must govern the attitude of His Majesty's Government in any negotiations which they undertake. If you are prepared to examine how far these considerations can be reconciled with the aspirations which you represent, I shall be happy to meet you and your colleagues.

I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, (Signed) D. LLOYD GEORGE.
Eamon de Valera, Esq. Mansion House, Dublin.
Reply from the Ministry of Dail Eireann, August 30th, 1921. The following communication from the Ministry of Dáil Eireann was handed to Mr. Lloyd George at Gairloch at 6.30 p.m. on the 1st September, 1921, by Commandant Robert Barton,T.D., and Commandant Joseph McGrath, T.D.
Dáithí Uasal Leód Seóirse, 10, Sráid Downing, i Lonndain.
30 Lughnasa, 1921. A Chara,

Táimíd-na, leis, deimhnighthe gur riachtanach nidh éigin do dhéanamh gan mhoill chun ionad d'fhagháil ó n-ar féidir réidhteacht ár scéil do chur chun cinn, agus is léir dúinn gur beag toradh le baint as an argóint seo eadrainn tré nótaibh. Dá bhrigh sin ní bhacfad leis na nidhthibh neamhstaramhla do luadhais id' litir dheireannaigh.

An scéal mar atá sé eadrainn fé láthair an rud atá againn le socrughadh. Toradh an tsaoghail atá imthighthe atá i gcúrsaibh na haimsire seo; mínighid siad go cruinn beacht brígh agus fírinne an scéil. Agus seo é a bhrígh.

Ní admhuighid muintear na hEireann go bhfuil aon cheangal aca dá dtoil le Sacsaibh; deirid go bhfuil de cheart nádúrdha bunadhsach aca a slighe féin do cheapadh i gcomhair an tsaoghail atá rómpa; dheimhnigh a n-urmhór mór go dteastuigheann neamhspleadhchas uatha, chuireadar Saorstát ar bun, agus dheineadar deimhin dá rogha arís is arís eile. Ar an dtaobh eile de'n scéal tá Sacsa ag cur di amhail is dá mbeadh Eire ceangailte dhi de bharr connartha nach ceadochadh dóibh deighilt. Tá eolas ag an saoghal ar chúrsaibh an chonnartha bréige sin acht leigid Sacsa agus Feis Sacsan ortha gur connradh d'leaghthach é, agus dá bhrígh sin go bhfuil de chomhacht aca reachta do cheapadh is do chur i bhfeidhm i nEirinn; tír na hEireann do roinnt i n-aindeoin tola na nGaedheal; agus gach Gaedheal nach tugann dílse don eachtranach do mharbhadh no do chur i gcarcar.

An tairgsint a dhein bhur Riaghaltas-sa 'san litir úd an 20adh lá d'Iúl an dara coingeall so is bun léi. Dhiultaigheamair-na do'n tairgsint sin, agus ní féidir dul siar air. Ní cuireadh bhí ann do mhuintir na hEireann chun dul isteach go saor toilteannach i bpáirtidheacht le saornáisiúnaibh Impreachta Breatan. Is eadh bhí ann cuireadh d'Eirinn chun dul isteach fé scáth agus fé choingeallachaibh d'fhágfadh í i staid b'ísle 'ná staid na náisiún so. Canada, Astraoile, Deisceart Afraice is an Zealand Nuadh tá deimhniughadh aca uile ná beid fé smacht Stáit Mhóir, ní headh amháin go bhfuil san aca tré gach ceart riaghalta dá n-admhuightar is a chuireann iad ar chomhstaid le Sacsaibh agus i dtreó ná fuil aon smacht ag Feis ná ag Riaghaltas Shacsan ortha acht trí na míltibh míle slighe idir iad féin is Sacsain. Ní bheadh ceart ná mór-aistear mar chosaint ag Eirinn. Na coingeallacha bhí le déanamh, dhéanfaidís dá chuid di, agus gach ceann aca ag cur comhachta an chinn eile ar neamhnidh i n-aon Chomhairle mar a mbeidís araon, agus ceachtar aca fé smacht airm is loingis is tráchtála ag Riaghaltas Shacsan.

Na prímh-nidhthe bhaineann le n-ár stair is le n-ár suidhe ní gábhadh a bpléidhe; acht budh mhian le nbhur Riaghaltas-sa go nglacfaidhe le nbhur dtuairim féin i n-a dtaoibh. Caithfimíd-na ár dtuairim féin do bheith againn, leis. An stair a mholann aondacht do réir bhur mínighthe-sa, deighilt a chialluigheann sé dhúinne. Na tuairimidhe atá againn i dtaobh a chomhgaraidhe is táimíd dá chéile táid súd féin go mór i gcoinnibh a chéile. Táimíd-na deimhnighthe gur againn féin atá an tuairim cheart chóir; agus mar shuidheamh air sin is toil linn moltóir gan leagadh aige le héinne mar bhreitheamh eadrainn. Tugann sibhse an t-eiteach do san agus bagrann sibh go gcuirfidh sibh bhur dtuairim féin i bhfeidhm le neart fóiréigin. Ar bhfreagra-na air sin, má dheineann sibh gníomh dá réir ní bheidh le déanamh againne acht cur i nbhur gcoinnibh mar is dual sínsear dúinn.

Ní réidhteochaidh fóiréigin an scéal. Ni bhuaidhfidh sé choídhche ar a bhfuil ciallmhar ceart. Má chromann sibh ar fhóiréigin arís, agus muna dtéigheann an buaidh de thaoibh an chirt, an cheist seo ag déanamh buaidheartha dhúinn beidh sé mar chúram fós ortha so thiocfaidh i n-ár ndiaidh. Is leór de fhiadhnaise is de fhuagradh dhúinn go bhfuil teipthe ar fhóiréigin mar leigheas ar an gceist le seacht gcéad go leith bliadhan. Dá bhrigh sin, ní tuairim bhréige acht fíorghliocas agus tuigsint riaghluighthe atá dhom ghríosughadh féin is ag brostughadh mo chomhdhaltaidhe. Caithfear bagairt fhóiréigin do chur ar leath-taobh. Caithfear a chur ar leath-taobh ó thosach agus le linn réidhteachta. Caithfidh ár dteachtaidhe araon teacht le chéile gan aon bhac ortha acht na nidhthe bheidh le socrughadh; agus ní le bagairt fóiréigin; árd no íseal, acht fé riaghail treortha go mbeithfear ar aon aigne i n-a thaoibh, d'héanfaid siad pé easaontas a bheidh eadartha do leigheas feasta. Mholamair-na mar bhunchomhairle riaghaltas le cead an phobail, agus ní mar abairt a mholamair é. Tá ceist simplidhe ann, agus pé socrughadh dhéanfar eadrainn caithfidh sé bheith ar aon leagan leis no ní bheidh buan, agus is féidir feidhm do bhaint as mar thomhas i gcomhair na mionrudaidhe is na réidhteachta uile. Toisc go n-abrann tusa gur le Sacsaibh ó dúthchas an bhun-chomhairle sin agus gurab é Beatha na náisiún fé chomairce Bhreatan anois é ní fuláir nó gur furas duit glacadh leis. As an mbonn sin, agus as an mbonn san ar leithligh, tá dóchas againn gur féidir réidhteacht do dheunamh idir na nidhthibh a bheidh mar chomhacht treortha ag teachtaibh Shacsan agus na nidhthibh a bheidh mar chomhacht treortha ag teachtaibh Eireann; agus ar na coingheallachaibh sin is toil linn feasta feadhmannaigh do cheapadh.

Mise, do chara gan cháim, (Sighnithe) EAMON DE VALERA. (Official Translation).
The Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, 10, Downing Street, Whitehall, London.
Mansion House, Dublin,
August 30th, 1921. Sir,

We, too, are convinced that it is essential that some definite and immediate progress should be made towards a basis upon which further negotiations can usefully proceed, and recognise the futility of a mere exchange of argumentative notes. I shall refrain, therefore, from commenting on the fallacious historical references in your last communication.

The present is the reality with which we have to deal. The conditions today are the resultant of the past, accurately summing it up and giving in simplest form the essential data of the problem. These data are The people of Ireland, acknowledging no voluntary union with Great Britain and claiming as a fundamental natural right to choose freely for themselves the path they shall take to realise their national destiny, have by an overwhelming majority declared for independence, set up a Republic, and more than once confirmed their choice. Great Britain, on the other hand, acts as though Ireland were bound to her by a contract of union that forbade separation. The circumstances of the supposed contract are notorious, yet on the theory of its validity the British Government and Parliament claim to rule and legislate for Ireland, even to the point of partitioning Irish territory against the will of the Irish people, and killing or casting into prison every Irish citizen who refuses allegiance.

The proposals of your Government submitted in the draft of July 20th are based fundamentally on the latter premises. We have rejected these proposals and our rejection is irrevocable. They were not an invitation to Ireland to enter into a free and willing partnership with the free nations of the British Commonwealth. They were an invitation to Ireland to enter in a guise, and under conditions which determine a status definitely inferior to that of these free States. Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand are all guaranteed against the domination of the major State, not only by the acknowledged constitutional rights which give them equality of status with Great Britain and absolute freedom from the control of the British Parliament and Government, but by the thousands of miles that separate them from Great Britain. Ireland would have the guarantees neither of distance nor of right. The conditions sought to be imposed would divide her into two artificial states, each destructive of the other's influence in any common Council, and both subject to the military, naval, and economic control of the British Government.

The main historical and geographical facts are not in dispute, but your Government insists on viewing them from your standpoint. We must be allowed to view them from ours. The history that you interpret as dictating union we read as dictating separation. Our interpretations of the fact of geographical propinquity are no less diametrically opposed. We are convinced that ours is the true and just interpretation, and as a proof are willing that a neutral, impartial arbitrator should be the judge. You refuse and threaten to give effect to your view by force. Our reply must be that if you adopt that course we can only resist, as the generations before us have resisted.

Force will not solve the problem. It will never secure the ultimate victory over reason and right. If you again resort to force, and if victory be not on the side of justice, the problem that confronts us will confront our successors. The fact that for 750 years this problem has resisted a solution by force is evidence and warning sufficient. It is true wisdom, therefore, and true statesmanship, not any false idealism, that prompts me and my colleagues. Threats of force must be set aside. They must be set aside from the beginning, as well as during the actual conduct of the negotiations. The respective plenipotentiaries must meet untrammelled by any conditions save the facts themselves, and must be prepared to reconcile their subsequent differences not by appeals to force, covert or open, but by reference to some guiding principle on which there is common agreement. We have proposed the principle of government by consent of the governed, and do not mean it as a mere phrase. It is a simple expression of the test to which any proposed solution must respond if it is to prove adequate, and it can be used as a criterion for the details as well as for the whole. That you claim it as a peculiarly British principle, instituted by Britain, and now the very life of the British Commonwealth should make it peculiarly acceptable to you. On this basis, and this only, we see a hope of reconciling the considerations which must govern the attitude of Britain's representatives with the considerations that must govern the attitude of Ireland's representatives, and on this basis we are ready at once to appoint plenipotentiaries.

I am, Sir, Faithfully yours, (Signed) EAMON DE VALERA. The British Cabinet's Reply, September 7th, 1921, to the Irish Ministry's Letter of August 30th.

The following reply from the British Cabinet at Inverness to the Dáil Eireann Ministry's letter of August 30th was handed to President de Valera by Commandant Robert Barton,T.D., at 6 p.m. on September 8th, 1921:—
Town Hall, Inverness,
September 7th, 1921. Sir,

His Majesty's Government have considered your letter of August 30th, and have to make the following observations upon it.

The principle of government by consent of the governed is the foundation of British constitutional development, but we cannot accept as a basis of practical conference an interpretation of that principle which would commit us to any demands which you might present—even to the extent of setting up a republic and repudiating the Crown. You must be aware that conference on such a basis is impossible. So applied, the principle of government by consent of the governed would undermine the fabric of every democratic State and drive the civilised world back into tribalism.

On the other hand, we have invited you to discuss our proposals on their merits, in order that you may have no doubt as to the scope and sincerity of our intentions. It would be open to you in such a conference to raise the subject of guarantees on any points in which you may consider Irish freedom prejudiced by these proposals.

His Majesty's Government are loth to believe that you will insist upon rejecting their proposals without examining them in conference. To decline to discuss a settlement which would bestow upon the Irish people the fullest freedom of national development within the Empire can only mean that you repudiate all allegiance to the Crown and all membership of the British Commonwealth. If we were to draw this inference from your letter, then further discussion between us could serve no useful purpose, and all conference would be vain. If, however, we are mistaken in this inference, as we still hope, and if your real objection to our proposals is that they offer Ireland less than the liberty which we have described, that objection can be explored at a Conference.

You will agree that this correspondence has lasted long enough. His Majesty's Government must therefore ask for a definite reply as to whether you are prepared to enter a Conference to ascertain how the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Empire can best be reconciled with Irish national aspirations. If, as we hope, your answer is in the affirmative, I suggest that the Conference should meet at Inverness on the 20th instant.

I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, (Signed) D. LLOYD GEORGE.
Eamon de Valera, Esq.
Letter of September 12th from Dail Eireann Cabinet in answer to the British Cabinet's letter of September 7th, 1921.

Dáil Eireann met in private Session at 11 a.m. on the 14th September at the Mansion House, Dublin. The Cabinet's reply, as printed below, to the British Prime Minister's letter was read and unanimously approved.

In view of a possible Conference with representatives of the British Government, the following Delegation of Plenipotentiaries was unanimously ratified, viz.:— Arthur Griffith, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Chairman). Michael Collins, Minister of Finance. Comdt. R. C. Barton, Minister for Economic Affairs. Comdt. Eamon Duggan (Deputy for Meath and Louth). George Gavan Duffy, Envoy at Rome (Deputy for County Dublin).

The reply was as follows:—
Dáithí Uasal Leód Seóirse, 10, Sráid Downing, i Lonndain.
Baile Atha Cliath,
12 Meadhon Foghmhair, 1921. A Chara,

Níl aon scáth orainn a rádh leat go bhfuilimíd lántoilteanach dul i gcomhdháil chum a dhéanamh amach conus is fearr is féidir an bhaint a bheidh idir an Saor-Chumann Náisiún ar a nglaodhtar Impireacht Shasana agus cuspóir náisiúnta mhuintir na hEireann do réidhteach. Do chuireamair i n-iúl duit i n-ár litir, 10 Lughnasa, chomh fonnmhar is táimíd a leithéid de chomh-bhaint a bhreithniughadh. Dá bhrígh sin tá glaoidhte againn ar DHAIL EIREANN teacht le chéile chum go gcuirimíd fé n-a brághaid ainmneacha na dteachtaí atá ar aigne againn a cheapadh chum a ndeimhnighthe. Tá súil againn go mbeidh ar chumas na dteachtaí seo bheith i n-lnbhear Nois ar an lá adeirir, an 20adh lá de Mheadhon Foghmhair.

Ins an nóta deireannach so is dualgas linn a rádh arís go bhfuil an sgéal againn díreach mar a mhínigheamair sa chomhfhreagrachas so é, agus nách féidir gan é bheith amhlaidh. Tá a neamhspleadhchus féin fógraithe ag Eirinn do réir nós na náisiún agus dar léi féin gur Saorstát í. Is mar lucht labhartha ar son an tsaorstáit sin amháin agus mar lucht toghtha a cosanta atá ughdarás no cumas againn beart a dhéanamh ar son ár muintire.

Maidir le Riaghaltas do réir toil na ndaoine a riaghaluightear tá sé do réir nádúra go gcaithfidh san bheith mar bhun fé aon tsocrughadh a thabharfaidh an rud is mian linn chum críche, is é sin, caradas seasmhach a shnaidhmeadh idir an dá náisiún. Níor bhaineamair-ne riamh aon bhrígh eile as an dteagasg san ach an ghnáth-bhrigh, an bhrígh, cuiream i gcás, do bhain muintir chomónta an tsaoghail as nuair adubhrais ar an 5adh Eanair, 1918:

… Caithfear socrughadh na hEuróipe nua a dhéanamh ar bhun éigin réasúin agus cirt nach miste bheith i ndóchas a bhuanuighthe. Dá bhrígh sin is é ár mór-thuairim nach foláir riaghaltas do réir toil na ndaoine a riaghaluightear a bheith mar bhun fé aon tsocrughadh líomatáiste a déanfar de dhruim an chogaidh seo.

Siad na focail seo an fíor-fhreagra atá ar an léirmheas do deineadh orainn id' litir dheireannach. 'Sé brígh a baineadh as an uair sin ná ceart a bheith ag náisiúin a tugadh fe smacht impreachtaí i gcoinnibh a dtola iad féin d'fhuasgailt ón gceangal a bhí ortha. B'in í an bhrígh do bhaineamair-ne as. Le fírinne is é do Riaghaltas-sa a thuigfeadh leis an dteagasg go mbainfí an bonn ós gach aon stát a sheasuigheann ar thoil na ndaoine agus go gcasfaí an saoghal síbhialta thar n-ais chum finidheachais nuair a iarann sé cúis chum ar náisiún ársa a stracadh as a chéile agus a líomatáiste do roinnt.

Mise, da chara gan cháim, (Síghnithe) EAMON DE VALERA. (Official Translation).
The Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, 10 Downing Street, Whitehall, London.
Mansion House, Dublin,
Sept. 12th, 1921. Sir,

We have no hesitation in declaring our willingness to enter a Conference to ascertain how the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Empire can best be reconciled with Irish national aspirations. Our readiness to contemplate such an association was indicated in our letter of August 10th. We have accordingly summoned Dáil Eireann that we may submit to it for ratification the names of the representatives it is our intention to propose. We hope that these representatives will find it possible to be at Inverness on the date you suggest, September 20th.

In this final note we deem it our duty to reaffirm that our position is and can only be as we have defined it throughout this correspondence. Our nation has formally declared its independence and recognises itself as a sovereign State. It is only as the representatives of that State and as its chosen guardians that we have any authority or powers to act on behalf of our people.

As regards the principle of government by consent of the governed, in the very nature of things it must be the basis of any agreement that will achieve the purpose we have at heart, that is, the final reconciliation of our nation with yours. We have suggested no interpretation of that principle save its every-day interpretation, the sense, for example, in which it was understood by the plain men and women of the world when on January 5th, 1918, you said:—

.…The settlement of the new Europe must be based on such grounds of reason and justice as will give some promise of stability. Therefore it is that we feel that government with the consent of the governed must be the basis of any territorial settlement in this war.

These words are the true answer to the criticism of our position which your last letter puts forward. The principle was understood then to mean the right of nations that had been annexed to empires against their will to free themselves from the grappling hook. That is the sense in which we understand it. In reality it is your Government, when it seeks to rend our ancient nation and to partition its territory, that would give to the principle an interpretation that would undermine the fabric of every democratic state and drive the civilised world back into tribalism.

I am, Sir, Faithfully yours, (Signed) EAMON DE VALERA. Reply telegraphed by the British Prime Minister to President de Valera, 15th September, 1921.

Late on the evening of September 15th the following reply was telegraphed from Gairloch by the British Prime Minister to President de Valera:—
Gairloch
Sept. 15th. Sir,

I informed your emissaries who came to me here on Tuesday, the 13th, that the reiteration of your claim to negotiate with His Majesty's Government as the representative of an independent and sovereign State would make conference between us impossible.

They brought me a letter from you in which you specifically reaffirmed that claim, stating that your nation has formally declared its independence and recognises itself as a sovereign State, and it is only, you added, as the representatives of that State and as its chosen guardians that we have any authority or powers to act on behalf of our people.

I asked them to warn you of the very serious effect of such a paragraph, and I offered to regard the letter as undelivered to me in order that you might have time to reconsider it.

Despite this intimation, you have now published the letter in its original form. I must accordingly cancel the arrangements for conference next week at Inverness and must consult my colleagues on the course of action which this new situation necessitates. I will communicate this you as soon as possible, but as I am for the moment laid up here a few days' delay is inevitable.

Meanwhile I must make it absolutely clear that His Majesty's Government cannot reconsider the position which I have stated to you. If we accepted conference with your delegates on a formal statement of the claim which you have reaffirmed, it would constitute an official recognition by His Majesty's Government of the severance of Ireland from the Empire and of its existence as an independent Republic.

It would, moreover, entitle you to declare as of right acknowledged by us that in preference to association with the British Empire you would pursue a closer association by treaty with some other foreign Power. There is only one answer possible to such a claim as that.

The great concessions which His Majesty's Government have made to the feelings of your people in order to secure a lasting settlement deserved, in my opinion, some more generous response, but so far every advance has been made by us. On your part you have not come to meet us by a single step, but have merely reiterated in phrases of emphatic challenge the letter and the spirit of your original claims.

I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, D. LLOYD GEORGE. Letter telegraphed by President de Valera to the British Prime Minister, September 16th.

The following letter was telegraphed to the British Prime Minister on September 16th:—
Mansion House, Dublin,
September 16th, 1921.
Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George.
Sir—

I received your telegram last night. I am surprised that you do not see that if we on our side accepted the Conference on the basis of your letter of Sept. 7th without making our position equally clear, Ireland's representatives would enter the Conference with their position misunderstood and the cause of Ireland's right irreparably prejudiced.

Throughout the correspondence that has taken place you have defined your Government's position. We have defined ours. If the positions were not so definitely opposed there would, indeed, be no problem to discuss.

It should be obvious that in a case like this, if there is to be any result, the negotiators must meet without prejudice and untrammelled by any conditions whatsoever except those imposed by the facts as they know them.

I am, Sir, faithfully yours, EAMON DE VALERA. Letter telegraphed to President de Valera by the British Prime Minister, September 17th.

The following telegram was received by President de Valera on the afternoon of September 17th:—
Gairloch
Sept. 17th.
Eamon de Valera, Esq.
Sir—

I have received the communication which you telegraphed to me last night. It is idle to say that a Conference in which we had already met your delegates as representatives of an independent and sovereign State would be a Conference without prejudice. To receive them as such would constitute a formal and official recognition of Ireland's severance from the King's dominions.

It would, indeed, entitle you, if you thought fit, to make a treaty of amity with the King, but it would equally entitle you to make no treaty at all, to break off the Conference with us at any point and by a right which we ourselves had already recognised to negotiate the union of Ireland with a foreign power. It would also entitle you, if you insisted upon another appeal to force, to claim from foreign Powers by our implicit admission the right of lawful belligerents against the King, for if we dealt with you as a sovereign and independent State we should have no right to complain of other Powers for following our example. These would be the consequences of receiving your delegates as representatives of an independent State.

We are prepared, in the words of my letter of the 7th, to discuss with you how the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Empire can best be reconciled with Irish national aspirations.

We cannot consent to any abandonment, however informal, of the principle of allegiance to the King, upon which the whole fabric of the Empire and every Constitution within it are based. It is fatal to that principle that your delegates in the Conference should be there as the representatives of an independent and sovereign State. While you insist on claiming that, Conference between us is impossible.

I am, yours faithfully, D. LLOYD GEORGE. Reply telegraphed by President de Valera, September 17th.

On the same evening President de Valera telegraphed the following reply:—
Mansion House, Dublin,
Sept. 17th, 1921.
Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George.
Sir—

In reply to your last telegram, just received, I have only to say that we have already accepted your invitation in the exact words which you re-quote from your letter of the 7th. We have not asked you to abandon any principle—even informally—but surely you must understand that we can only recognise ourselves for what we are.

If this self-recognition be made a reason for the cancellation of the Conference, we regret it; but it seems inconsistent. I have already had conferences with you, and in these conferences and in my written communications I have never ceased to recognise myself for what I was and am.

If this involves recognition on your part, then you have already recognised us. Had it been our desire to add to the solid substance of Ireland's natural right the veneer of the technicalities of international usage which you now introduce, we might have claimed already the advantage of all these consequences which you fear would flow from the reception of our delegates now.

Believe me, we have but one object at heart—the setting of the Conference on such a basis of truth and reality as would make it possible to secure through it the result which the peoples of these two islands so ardently desire.

I am, Sir, faithfully yours, EAMON DE VALERA. Letter telegraphed by the British Prime Minister, September 18th.

President de Valera received the following telegram on Sunday evening, the 18th September:—
Gairloch,
Sept. 18th.
Eamon de Valera, Esq.
Sir—

I have received your telegram of last night, and observe that it does not modify the claim that your delegates should meet us as the representatives of a sovereign and independent State. You made no such condition in advance when you came to see me in July. I invited you then to meet me, in the words of my letter, as the chosen leader of the great majority in Southern Ireland, and you accepted that invitation.

From the very outset of our conversations I told you that we looked to Ireland to own allegiance to the Throne, and to make her future as a member of the British Commonwealth. That was the basis of our proposals, and we cannot alter it. The status which you now claim in advance for your delegates is, in effect, a repudiation of that basis.

I am prepared to meet your delegates as I met you in July, in the capacity of chosen spokesmen for your people, to discuss the association of Ireland with the British Commonwealth.

My colleagues and I cannot meet them as the representatives of a sovereign and independent State without disloyalty on our part to the Throne and the Empire. I must, therefore, repeat that unless the second paragraph in your letter of the 12th is withdrawn, conference between us is impossible.

D. LLOYD GEORGE. Letter telegraphed by President de Valera, September 19th.

The following letter was telegraphed by President de Valera to the British Prime Minister on the evening of September 19th:—
Mansion House,
September 19th, 1921.
Right Hon. D. Lloyd George, Gairloch, Scotland.
Sir—

We have had no thought at any time of asking you to accept any conditions precedent to a Conference. We would have thought it as unreasonable to expect you, as a preliminary, to recognise the Irish Republic formally, or informally, as that you should expect us formally, or informally, to surrender our national position. It is precisely because neither side accepts the position of the other that there is a dispute at all, and that a Conference is necessary to search for and to discuss such adjustments as might compose it.

A treaty of accommodation and association properly concluded between the peoples of these two islands and between Ireland and the group of States in the British Commonwealth would, we believe, end the dispute forever, and enable the two nations to settle down in peace, each pursuing its own individual development and contributing its own quota to civilisation, but working together in free and friendly co-operation in affairs of agreed common concern. To negotiate such a treaty the respective representatives of the two nations must meet. If you seek to impose preliminary conditions, which we must regard as involving a surrender of our whole position, they cannot meet.

Your last telegram makes it clear that misunderstandings are more likely to increase than to diminish, and the cause of peace more likely to be retarded than advanced, by a continuance of the present correspondence; We request you, therefore, to state whether your letter of September 7th is intended to be a demand for a surrender on our part, or an invitation to a Conference free on both sides and without prejudice should agreement not be reached. If the latter, we readily confirm our acceptance of the invitation, and our appointed delegates will meet your Government's representatives at any time in the immediate future that you designate.

I am, Sir, yours faithfully, EAMON DE VALERA. Letter telegraphed by the British Prime Minister, September 29th, containing a fresh invitation to a Conference.

After an interval of ten days the following letter was telegraphed by the British Prime Minister to President de Valera on September 28th:—
Gairloch,
Sept. 29th.
Eamon de Valera, Esq., Mansion House, Dublin.
Sir,

His Majesty's Government have given close and earnest consideration to the correspondence which has passed between us since their invitation to you to send delegates to a conference at Inverness. In spite of their sincere desire for peace and in spite of the more conciliatory tone of your last communication, they cannot enter a conference upon the basis of this correspondence. Notwithstanding your personal assurance to the contrary, which they much appreciate, it might be argued in future that the acceptance of a conference on this basis had involved them in a recognition which no British Government can accord. On this point they must guard themselves against any possible doubt. There is no purpose to be served by any further interchange of explanatory and argumentative communications upon this subject. The position taken up by His Majesty's Government is fundamental to the existence of the British Empire and they cannot alter it. My colleagues and I remain, however, keenly anxious to make in co-operation with your delegates another determined effort to explore every possibility of settlement by personal discussion. The proposals which we have already made have been taken by the whole world as proof that our endeavours for reconciliation and settlement are no empty form, and we feel that conference not correspondence is the most practical and hopeful way to an understanding such as we ardently desire to achieve. We, therefore, send you herewith a fresh invitation to a conference in London on October 11th, where we can meet your delegates as spokesmen of the people whom you represent with a view to ascertaining how the association of Ireland with the community of nations known as the British Empire may best be reconciled with Irish national aspirations.

I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, D. LLOYD GEORGE. Letter telegraphed in reply, September 30th, from Dail Eireann, accepting the invitation.

The subjoined telegram was despatched on the evening of September 30th to the British Prime Minister in reply to his telegram of September 29th, 1921:—

Tigh an Ard-Mhéire, Baile Atha Cliath,
30 Meadhon Foghmhair, 1921.
Dáithí Uasal Leód Seóirse, Gairloch.
A Chara,—

Fuaireamair do litir ag tabhairt chuireadh dhúinn chum Comhdhála i Lundain ar an 11adh Deire Foghmhair chum a dhéanamh amach conus is fearr is féidir an bhaint a bheidh idir an Saor-Chumann Náisiún ar a nglaodhtar Impireacht Shasana agus cuspóir náisiúnta mhuintir na hEireann do réidhteach.

Do mínigheadh conus mar atá an sgéal ag an dá thaobh agus tuigtear é, agus táimíd ar aon aigne leat gur comhdháil agus ní comhfhreagrachas an tslighe is fearr agus is mó dóchas chum teacht ar chomh-thuisgint sa chúrsa. Glacaimíd leis an gcuireadh agus teangmhóidh ár dTeachtaí leat i Lundain ar an lá atá luaidhte d'fhonn gach is féidir a dhéanamh chum réidhtigh do thástáil le díospóireacht bbéil.

Mise, do chara gan cháim, EAMON DE VALERA. (Official Translation).
Mansion House, Dublin,
30th September, 1921.
Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George, Gairloch.
Sir,—

We have received your letter of invitation to a Conference in London on October 11th with a view to ascertaining how the association of Ireland with the community of Nations known as the British Empire may best be reconciled with Irish national aspirations.

Our respective positions have been stated and are understood, and we agree that conference, not correspondence, is the most practical and hopeful way to an understanding. We accept the invitation, and our Delegates will meet you in London on the date mentioned to explore every possibility of settlement by personal discussion.

Faithfully yours, EAMON DE VALERA.