London, Jan. 17.
The talks between leading statesmen of Great Britain and Ireland. which began to-day, lasted for three hours and 45 minutes after which the following agreed communique was issued:—
A meeting was held between representatives of the Government of Kire and representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom, at 10 Downing Street, this afternoon with the Prime Minister, (Mr, Neville Chamberlain), in the Chair.
"A general survey of outstanding questions affecting the relations between the two countries, was adjourned soon after 630 p.m. It will be resumed to-morrow at noon."
During the conference, it is understood, the thorny question of partition was raised by Mr. Eamon de Valera, the Prime Minister of Eire, who made it clear that the restoration of the unity of Ireland was, in his view, an essential foundation for the establishment of real understanding and friendship between the peoples of Great Britain and Eire.
From the United Kingdom side, the point was made that there could be no alterations between Eire and Northern Ireland without the latter's consent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.