Arthur Griffith to Eamon de Valera (Dublin)

A Chara,
Miceal and I were asked to see Lloyd George and Chamberlain this evening at the conclusion of the Conference.

They talked freely - Chamberlain frankly. The burden of their story was that on the Crown they must fight. It was the only link of Empire they possessed.

They pressed me to say that I would accept the Crown provided we came to other agreements. It was evident they wanted something to reassure themselves against the Die-Hards. I told them that I had no authority. If we came to an agreement on all other points I could recommend some form of association with the Crown. Conversation ranged over the document.¹ They said it was impossible for them to accept our proposal re League of Nations and U.S.A. guaranteeing Ireland's freedom.

Question of elective Head arose. They shied at it. Wholly impossible to them.

Told them the only possibility of Ireland considering association of any kind with Crown was in exchange for essential unity - a concession to Ulster.

Miceal got Chamberlain to admit that the general feeling in England was for a settlement. He countered their arguments on defence etc. all the time. But they always fell back on the impossibility of peace except on acceptance of Crown.

We agreed to proceed on basis of settling all other points, leaving Crown to last.

Meet again at 4 to-morrow.