The New York herald., 1921-12-20
STRENGTH OF OPPOSING
FORCES UNDERMINED
Leaders Cannot Forecast Out
come of Treaty Debate.

DUBLIN. Dec. 10 ASSOCIATED Press).
Immediately after adjournment the
correspondent interviewed four prominent
Sim Feiners-Deputy Duggan, Mrs.
Sheehy Skeffington. Tom johnson, Sec
retary of the Irish Liberal movement,
and Col Maurice Moore. All Of them
declared it was impossible to make any
estimate of the relative strength of those
favoring and those opposing the treaty
OF to hazard a gut tss as to which side
would eventually gain majority.
An outstanding feature to-day was the
attempt by the delegates to the London
conference to deprive Mr.. De Valera of
his claim OF adherence to the republican
principle by demanding the publication
OF his plan for an alternative settle
ment. which 1t was revealed had been
submitted at last weeks private ses-
sons of the Dahl The argument was
that the nation had right 10 know
what were the two policies they were
expected TO decide upon. and that as
a matter OF fact. neither was republi-
can.
Mr.. De Valera resisted publication OF
his alternative plan. explaining that IL
was put forward only in an attempt to
secure unanimity in the Dali Eireann,
and was now irrelevant. He promised.
however. at a later stage. TO indicate In
his own way the alternative proposal.
Tho division IN the Sim Fein Parlia.
ment cuts across all ordinary lines. Tt
is not a case. as to-day's proceedings
clearly showed, Of the Irish army ar
raycd against civilians. for notable
army leaders were found both for and
against the treaty.
The main objections TO the treaty re-
Nealed in the speeches Of Mr.. De Valera
and Erskine Childers were the absorp-
tion OF ireland in the British Empire.
the bgief in continued British control
through the Governor-G General and mill
tary and naval control.
The women members OF the Sim Feiit
Parliamen, were TO large extent
against the treaty. and an appeal was
frequently made during the private ses-
sions TO the memory OF the dead This
was countered to-day by Deputy Higgins,
who called attention TO the men who
had daily risked their lives and were
voting now for peace.
The biggest oratorical effort OF the
day was that Of Mr.. Collins. whose
speech was directed toward justifying
his signature. and was especially notable
for the Importance he attached TO the
opportunity given by the new consti-
tuition for developing irish resources
and preventing further penetration by
England into Irish business through tho
acquisition OF Irish banks, railways.
Slipping and factories.
=
Sv71is treaty" declared Collins. was
not signed under the personal iutimi1 a.
tion OF any delegate The people. he
said did not understand the immense
powers the treaty had given the Irish
people. Irish aspirations were satisfied
with security and freedom and tho re-
noval Of tho British army was proof
that the national principles had beer
established. he argued.
40 o. the demand for recognition o
the rcpLblic by Great Britain the Minis
"a sf FINANCE declared that n all con
cerrcd had taken G stand for recogni
ts2t OF the republic as n prelude TO th,
caoforenco IN London the members oi
the Dali should have said SO In ad
vance. "and there would have been n,
conference"
Speaking OF the economic penetration
OF Ireland by England. Mr.. Collins said
THAT Is q thing we must stop !
Gaelic ciSiiiz1tiuu is 10 survive--an,
| that Is what tho treaty stops"
| Mr. Collins said he stood by the dc
Cision OF the Dail not TO coerce north