Mr. Ronald McNeill told the delegates that the Government were
trying to buy an acknowledgment of allegiance from Sinn Finn at the expense of Ulster, which would be forced to submit to an Irish Parliament. Sir L. Worthington Evans said that " some " of Mr. McNeill's statements were " quite inaccurate." Tho Secretary for War felt it necessary, however, to renew his pledges. He would not, he said, agree to any settlement which did not preserve the supremacy of the Crown over Ireland, maintain our naval control of the Irish coast and make Ireland pay " a fair share of the debt and of the pensions," or which required the coercion of Ulster. Lord Derby said that we must either come to terms with Sinn Fein or use force. lie was " not going to be stampeded " into a decision until he knew what terms were proposed for Ulster. He invited the delegates to preserve the unity of the party until they had all the facts before them, and his advice was taken.
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