Mr. Lloyd George replied that he had hoped that with
modera- tion and common sense on both sides it might have been possible to reach an understanding :—
" 'You now imply that, in your judgment, the only road to peace is the recognition of an Irish Republic and negotiation of a treaty with someone you designate as the official head and President of that Republic. I have never failed to make It clear that there is no possibility of settlement so long as Sinn Fein demands an Irish Republic, and that, though I am willing to explore every avenue towards an honourable and constitutional settlement, there is no road to peace so long as Sinn Fein persists in trying to compel any settlement by the methods of assassina- tion and violence. . . . I deeply regret that you should close ale door to those counsels of goodwill which you invoked at the beginning of this correspondence."
Father O'Flanagan returned to the charge with another telegram expressed in slightly more moderato language. He declared that Sinn Fein was " a peaceful organization," and that Irish- men were bound to react when violent attacks were made upon them. " Remove the cause and the effect will cease automati- cally." Father O'Flanagan added that he had pointed out the only means of reconciliation—" I have not thereby closed the door, though I may have discovered it closed when I thought to fled it open."
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