Great Falls tribune., 1921-12-23

The amendment introduced was sec
onded by opponents of the treaty and
called for continuous sittings days and
evening until division was taken on
the treaty's ratification or rejection.
The defeat of the amendment auto
matically decided the motion. With
few exceptions, so far as could be OBJ
served, the vote followed the party
lines of those favoring Or opposing the
treaty.
Nobody believes, of course, that il n
vote had been taken on the treaty itself.
the majority would have been SO great
as the vote on the adjournment motion
gave it's supporters, but there is no
doubt in the minds of those who have
been following the debates carefully
that this vote roughly approxirnates
the sentiments for and against the
treaty. This is denied by some Of the
opponents of the treaty.
Irish Countess Bitter
In fact, Countess Markievicz, one of
the strongest opponents of the treaty
seconded Mr.. Collins proposal, appar-
emily having in mind. as indicated by
her satirical seconding speech, the pos
sibility of the debate continuing through
Christmas day and night, and overlook
ing the possibility of a party division
on the motion.
The atmosphere was tense with ex-
citement. Many of the spectators fail
ed to understand the significance of the
proceedings and great bewilderment
was manifest upon the announcement
of the result of the vote. Eamonn de
Valera's face was stern and grim when
the figures were announced. Consider
able elation was shown by Collins and
his adherents.
Desmond FitzGerald, minister of
propaganda, who supported the treaty
said he believed that not more than 10
opponents of the treaty voted for ad
journment, indicating a majority for
the treaty of 13.
Pierce Beasely, an active Sim Fem
er who intended to speak in the after
noon for ratification, informed The As
before the vote was taken that he could
not make guess on the outcome of
the treaty vote but believed that the
fate of Ireland is trembling in the bal
ance.
Proposal Had Been Turned Down
Mr.. Collins proposal had been sug
rested by him some days ago, and at
that time turned down by both De
Valera and Arthur Griffith. 1t had in
the meantime. become evident that the
proceedings in the Dali Eireann were
not nearing an end: more than 20 ad
ditional speakers had indicated their
intention to address the assembly, and
the tendency of all speeches was to in
crease In length. This meant as one
speaker pointed out, the possibility of
sitting for another fortnight.
Mr.. De Valera again met the pro-
posal of Michael Collins with strong
opposition and suggested sittings far
into the night, with a view to shorten
ing the speeches and reaching deci-
sion this week. John MacIntee, an OPP
of the treaty, moved giving as
one continuous and prolonged sittings
from day to day until decision was
reached.
The frank indication of the motive
for this course took his motion out
Of the range of mere procedure, and
the first test OF the rela-
tive strength of the opponents and
seen that this procedure raised an inn
portant technical point. for there are
five members who represent two con-
each.
Dual Votes Reduced to One
Four of these members, Griffith,
Collins. Milroy and MacNeill, happened
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 mere procedure mo-
ton, was made evident by the ex-
treme Importance attached to the ques-
ton whether the members concerned
were entitled to one or two votes each.
De Valera's supporters argued that
only one vote each should be allowed.
and the senate, which was becoming
very acrimonious, might have lasted
for hours on this subsidiary point alone
when Mr.. Collins waived any claim
to two voted and the deputy speaker