Arthur Griffith to Eamon de Valera (Dublin)

A E[amon], a Chara :
Mr. Collins who is returning to-day will inform you of the details of our conversation with Lloyd George and Birkenhead this morning.

The document they have sent us is not the draft of a Treaty but tentative suggestions. We should reply to it, therefore, with a similar document, not with a Treaty draft - reserving that to the last.The crucial question - 'Crown and Empire' must be met next week. If 'Ulster' gets us to break on them, she will have re-won the game.The seriousness of the position will be realised by the Members of the Cabinet, and I trust they will give us their best-weighed suggestions.