New-York tribune., 1921-12-17
Irish Treaty
Is Ratified
By Britain
tcontinusd from sage sns)

catloH Is assured by an enormous
majority
Another closed sitting will be held
tomorrow at which the closing argu-
ments, designed only for loyal ears,
will be made. Then on Monday there
will be a brief debate in open session
in which several Of the pro-treatv
leaders as well az representatives Of
the opposition are expected to sneak.
Eamon de Valera and Arthur Griffith
VIII continue their leadership of the
two opposing factions.
Despite the reputation last nigbt
of De Valera's alternative to the oath
OF allegiance written in the treaty,
early reports that he would be forced
from the helm of the Sim Fein party
were discounted to-day. The entire
treaty proceedings are expected to end
Monday night.
Outside University College there
were no crowds to-day ar on other
days. Raw weather may have accounted
for the smaller body Of snectators. but
1t was apparent that the secrecy sur
rounding the long meetings had dulled
the interest of many. The 100 press
representatives made up the bulk of
the witnesses of the entry and exit of
delegates to the Dali Eireann
Rumors of all sorts ran current
again to-day, but they were almost
wholly of only local interest. The one
important rumor that persisted was
that ratification would come with
tremendous majority and this rumor
has been repeated so many times that
some of the spectators have begun to
regard it as a fact. The Irish news-
papers stick very close to the meage-
news that seeps out of the council
chamber and indulge in no speculation.
kilograms urging the deputies to
vote for ratification have been flowing
in from all parts of the world Many
prisoners are awaiting the decision
with considerable interest, because for
them it will decide whether they spend
Christmas in their homes or behind
bars. Similarly, thousands of British
soldiers garrisoned in Ireland await
the vote impatienty, because ratifica
ton for them will mean wholesale
leaves of absence over the holidays,
and they can go back to England.
Swing Seen in Ulster
There was tremendous interest here
in Andrew Bonar Laws endorsement Of
the treaty 1t was taken to foreshadow
a strong swing in Ulster toward Join
ing the Irish Free State, ard it i3
pointed out that the speech Of The MAJ
moderation and desire for compromise
that have been missing in recent Mt
terances Of Sir James Craig. Ulster
Premier.
Even with the treaty ratified Ireland
will not have come to the end Of her
difficulties Statesmanship OF the high
est order will be required to carrv
the country through the troublous days
ahead, when labor and political issues
will be raised after their long sup
preston under British military rule.
The Dali Eireann members have
strongly felt the pressure Of the
accounts for their decision to hold
secret sessions, for they have known
every one was watching them. They
have been nervous under this scrutiny,
far more nervous than when they were
lighting, but, having obtained their
bearings, they are ready 20 emerge
Monday and make their final decision
openly
The Dali Eireann Cabinet this eve
ming issued the following note:
"The Cabinet had before 1t to-day
reports of four attacks on British
forces in Ireland, two members OF
which have been killed. The Cabinet
is of the opinion that these acts were
not committed by members OF the re-
publican forces, and condemns them IN
the strongest manner.
''The Minister of Defense anc the
Minister of Home Affairs have been
directed to investigate the occurrences
and to use evey effort to bring the
perpetrators to Justice
A significant fact in connection with
the statement is that it is signed by
nj the members of the Cabinet.