South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-23

q majority for the treaty OF IS.
Pierce Beasley. an active Sim
Fe.ner. who Intended 20 speak on
thursday afternoon for ratification,
informed The Associated Press cor
respondent shortly before the vote
vas taken that ne could not make
guess ON the outcome of the
treaty vote but believed that the
fate ~ ireland is trembling in the
balance"
Collins Proposal.
SIR. Collins proposal had been
suggested ry him some days ago,
and 40 that time turned down By
both cannon DeNalera and Arthur
Griffith. It had In the meantime
become evident that the proceed
.uss lu the Dali Earean were not
nearing AN end; more than 20 ad-
d.ttonal speakers had indicated
their Intention 20 address the as
sembiy. and the tendency of all
speeches was 20 increase in length.
This meant. as one speaker pointed
out. the possibility Of sitting for an
other fortnight.
1Tr. De Valera again met the pro
rosll Of Michael Collins with strong
opposition and suggested sitting far
into the night, with a view 10 short
ouiug the speeches and reaching a
decision this week. John MacIn
tee. an opponent of the treaty, fol-
lowed De Naiera's lead. giving one
OF his reasons for advocating con-
tuu0us sittinEs his belief that IL
The Dali rejected the treaty, the
country whatever its present opin-
l.n wouI follow the Dali
He concluded 10y moving contin-
uuus and prolonged sitrings from
day until a decision was reached.
Test OF Strength.
The frank indication of the mo-
live for this course took his motion
uu- of the range OF mere procedure.
and afforded the first test of the
relative strength of the opponents
and supporters of the treaty. Tt
. was soon seen that this procedure
raised an important technical point,
for there are five members who
f represent two constituencies each.
Four of these members. Griffith,
I Collins MilrOv and MacNeiu, hap
+ pened TO support the treaty. while
the fifth Mr.. De Valera. opposes
. the treaty The real nature Of the
division as test Of strength on
the main issue, rather than as a
mere procedure motion was made
f evident by the extreme Importance
attached 10 the question whether
. the members concerned were en-
f titled 10 one or two votes each.
De Valera's SUPP 0rters argued
+ that only one vote each should be
allowed and the debate, which was
/ becoming very acrimonious. might
/ have lasted for hours on this sub
/ sidiary point alone, when Mr. Col
/ Inns waived any claim to two votes.
and the deputy speaker gave a
/ ruling allowing only one This left
/ the way clear for a straight division.
and the figures came upon the press
/ and spectators and the Dali Eireann
/ with some surprise
/ Result Is Twofold.
The net result is twofold. The
country Will have an opportunity
/ OF influencing the various repre-
/ sentatives between now and Jan. 8,
and such portions Of the country
. as are doubtful. may, it is expected
. by some judges. be influenced in
. favor of the treaty by the impress
sion that the figures represent a
vote IN its favor
When the question was put. 1t
was Immediately seen that Mr. De
Valera. Erkslne Childers Austin
. Stack Charles Burgess and their aC-
. tive supporters all desired 20 keep
the Dali sitting, while Arthur Grif-
fifth. Michael Collins. canon J.
+ Duggau. John MacNeu and the ad-
voCates Of the treaty were equally
anxious 10 afford an opportunity 10
. all members for a breathing space
or intercourse with their constitu-
ents who, as freely admitted
throughout the debates. largely sup
port the treaty.
Division Follows.
The division followed almost, but
not quite strict party lines for there
were some members who looked
solely TO the question OF conven-
ience. There are many members Of
the parliament who have given no
sign up 90 the present how they
.rterd 90 vote on the man question,
and adjournment accords them an
opportunity of taking sides without
any obvious abandonment Of their
neutrality
When the final decision Of the
treaty Is actually taken the members
may be much closer than the ad-
. iournment figures. The amendment
u favor of continuous sittings was
first put verbally and show OF
hands taken. The result was Chal-
iguEed ON the ground that motion
must be in writing and that the
vote must Doe by roll call The sec
rotary read fin Gaelic the names of
the members by constituencies. re-
eeived their answer and made the
announcement I'm Gaelic for and
1r1iDSt the amendment