New-York tribune., 1921-12-18
2 Killed in
Irish Riot as
Dali Debates
tcontinust from pass ene>


Jority in tho south favors ratification
doesn't mean approval Of the treaty
1T is rather an indication that the bulk
OF the people arc convinced that there
is no alternative but war, and they do
not want that. Consequently, they are
not very sympathetic toward the cx.
trcmists who are holding out against
the agreement.
LONDON, Dec. II (By The Associated
Press ).--Thcrc was no diminution of
confidence in London to-day that the
Anglo-1rish treaty ultimately will be
accepted by the Dali Eircann or by the
Irish people if referendum should
become necessary But the unexplained
pro)ongation of the secret debates in
Dublin has begun to cause some anx-
icty here, which is somewhat aug
mcnted by the remembrance Of many
similar prolonged dcbatcs on the
Irish side during the course of the
negotiations that preceded the signing
of that document.
The English public mind to-day ap-
PSdleu W TcVctt 10 IOfmcr fTcHlor
Asquith's warning about "malignsnt
genius" lowering over Irish affairs. and
this uncasincss was Increased by ru-
lnors of important modifications Of the
treaty to be suggested from Dublin,
cntailing possibly entirely new nceo-
tiatone.
Should this unexpected course be
adopted, nobody here seems to know
how the government would meet it.
During the course Of the debate on the
treaty in the House Of Commons. Prime
Minister Lloyd George took the stand
that ar attempt by Parliament to
modify the treaty would destroy it
and necessitate new conference. Pre-
would have the same effect. There was
much political gossip in the lobbics of
Parliament yesterday after the votes
were taken concerning the govern
mcnt's reason for not proroguing Par
lament, many members apparently not
being convinced by the government's s
explanation that it was necessary to
wait for the Dail's decision. The Dail's
decision, they said, might settle moth
ing, and if plebiscite in Ireland was
decided upon Parliament might be held
in session until after New Years.
General Election a Possibility
Lord Birkenhead has charge of the
government side in Irish affairs, now
that the Premier will be engaged with
M. BRAND and the matter of German
reparations, and it will be recalled that
in yesterdays speech Lord Birkenhead
openly referred to the possibility Of an
appeal being made to the country on
the Irish settlement.
1t is beginning to be believed that
the Dali Eireann will ratify the treaty,
if at all, only by narrow majority.
Gossip puts the number Of those known
to be pledged to ratification at GA.
Should the decision, as feared in some
quarters, be for important modifica-
tions of the treaty, there is a growing
belief that Mr.. Lloyd George will re-
sort to a general election early in the
year.
Irishmen themselves, according to
Dublin reports, are irritated at the de-
lay and want the matter settled, if
only because Of the uncertainty,"w which
is detrimental to Christmas trade. The
serious disorders and shootings at Bel
fast are also regarded as another rea-
son for quick settlement.
The Prime Minister and Lord Birk-
enhead have both gone to the country
for the week end. They will return to
London Monday. There has been no
meeting between Sir james Craig, the
Ulster Premier, and Mr.. Lloyd George,
and no development on the Ulster side
of the problem