2 JULY 1921, Page 9

On Monday the nation was astonished by the announcement that

the Prime Minister had given Mr. De Valera, the Irish Sinn Fein leader, an unconditional invitation to come to London and discuss the possibilities of peace. That, considering the position created by the _ Home Rule Act, Mr. Lloyd George was wise to try once more to set up a Southern Par- liament should be admitted by all Unionists and opponents of revolution. It was also right not to make conditions and limitations. It is of the essence of conferences of that kind that there should be no muzzling. Skeletons are not got rid of by shutting them up in cupboards. At the same time, Sir James Craig accepted the invitation of the Plime Minister to attend the conference, like the sensible and loyal statesman he is.