Mr. Lloyd George summed up this part of his letter
by saying that Mr. Do Valera, in refusing much more than had ever been demanded by his predecessors, was " playing with phrases." As for " geographical propinquity," he explained in the latter part of his letter what a reality this is. It was on this very question that Lincoln, with the approval of history, had led his country into the terrible civil war of North and South. Finally, Mr. Lloyd George repeated that it would be impossible to discuss any settlement which involved a refusal on the part of Ireland of " free, equal and loyal partnership in the British Common- wealth." A prolongation of the present state of affairs was dangerous, and the British Government felt .unable to go on merely exchanging notes. " It is essential that some definite and immediate progress should beenade."
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