New-York tribune., 1921-12-16
Dali Majority Overwhelm-
ing Against His Plan to
Alter Oath; Treaty May
Be Ratified Tomorrow
Fall of Sinn Fein
Chieftain Forecast
GriAfith-Collins Triumph
and Immediate Peace ON
Terms Signed in Lon
don Considered Assured
By Arthur S. Draper

Copyright. 1921, New York Tribune Inc.
DUBLIN, Dec. 15.-In the first tes.
Of strength between the Sim Fein fac
iions that are debating the Anglo-Irish
treaty in the Dali Eireann, Eamon de
Valera, president of the Irish repub-
Iic," was overwhelmingly defeated to-
night. His leadership of the repub-
leans is expected to end quickly.
Near the close of the second of two
long secret sessions, De Valera pro-
POSED substitute for the oath of al
legiance contained in the treaty as
signed by the plenipoteniaries in Lon
don. When put to vote the alter
native was beaten by an enormous
majority and it was plainly evident
!. that the pro-treaty Sim Feiners had
asufhcient votes to assure the early
atifcation Of the pact by the Dali.
1 De Valera's proposal was that in
ttead of swearing allegiance to the con-
st;tution of the Irish Free State and
faithfulness to the King the Dall
LlIGdilU SHOuIQ ClItl 20 Udy tIiDutc TO
the crowns civil list-in other words,
agree to help defray the Kings ex-
7penses.
May Ratify on Saturday
gestion plans were being made to-
Dali Eireann, at which the formal mo-
ton to ratify the treaty will be voted
or. With g secret session again to-
morrow, it is probable that the open
sitting will be held Saturday,. All along
two battles have been waging--one for
the party leadership and the other over
the fate of.-the treaty but to-night's
les. OF strength virtually decides buth.
During a short Adjournment between
the two sessions to-day the members
! stood smoking and talking outside the
assembly hall at University College
They seemed tired and nervous, as if
the strain of the fight was beginning to
tell on them. The members of the two
factions were grouped separately as
they talked, showing that their differ
ences of opinion were extending even
70 personal relations. The most cheer
III member was Speaker MacNeill.
aichaef Collins, leader with Arthur
as if the debate was more exhausting
tran the negotiations in Downing
Street. Of the women members only
the Countess Markevicz seemed care
free as she chartered with other dep
uties.
Two outside events reacted on the
members of the Dali. The publication
off the letter from Sir James Craig.
Ulster Premier, renouncing the treaty
end saying the North would not join
the Irish state strengthened rather
than weakened the treaty advocates in
the Dali. The debate in the British
Parliament also had it's influence, but
as there was considerable material on
both sides both groups of Sim Fein-
ers found declarations that helped them
justify their stand.
Ammunition for Factions
Lloyd Georges insistence that the
treaty put the lrishmen in the same
POSITION as the residents in the domin-
IONS in that they had to pledge their
allegiance to the King would natural
Y be seized upon by the De Valera ad-
herents as proof Of their contention,
while, on the other hand, the Collins
and Griffith faction could point to Lord
oarson's denunciation of the treaty as
betrayal of the royalists as the best
possible evidence in their favor.
There is bitter disappointment
throughout Ireland that the Dali
cream elected to meet behind closed
eoors Tor so long a period.
lne Irish newspaper do not specu-
'ate on the probable outcome Of the
sIf,ngglee in the Dali for party leader
81 efeseip, but privately one hears all sorts
oi forecasts. Certainly the Irish press
considers itself free, but when the
luture is so uncertain it is best not to
run the danger of making enemies.
!, on the question of the rejection or
sne ratification of the treaty there is
only one view. The Sim Feiners.
ohlonists and Nationalsts are willing
70 wager that it will be ratified; some
venture the forecast that the vote will
I've unanimous, while others declare
mat some Sim Fein members of the
uail Will resist ratification to the Bit
ter end.
Il De Valera should be able to re-
,.ain the leadership it will be because
ae shows more adaptability than hith-
eerto, and that means weakening of
MS power.
There is no question that he is fight
ing Tor his political life under desper-
Continued on page thres)