The New York herald., 1921-12-18
Ratification by Small Mar
gin May Not Be Made Be-
fore Wednesday.
PUBLIC GROWS FESTIVE
London Sees General Election
Soon if Notifications of
Agreement Are Sought.

DUBLIN, Dec. II (Associated Press).
The Dali Eireann remained in secret
session until late tonight in an en-
deavor to thresh out personal politi-
cal difficulties among it's members.
with the prospect that they might
come out into public session on Mon
day reconciled at least TO the extent
OF presenting a solid front to the
world in their attitude toward the
Anglo-Irish treaty.
There seemed 10 be no question to-
night but what the treaty would be
ratified. but in view of the fact that
so many members of the Irish legisla-
tive body want to proclaim their re-
spective positions it was considered
hardly likely that a final vote could be
taken before next Wednesday.
II reports reaching Dublin tonight
from other parts of Ireland may be
accepted as correct the general public
apparently is becoming irritated at
the delay in settling the big question
that is on everybody's mind. These
reports indicate that the general Irish
public would like to see the Dali
quickly ratify the treaty and let the
leaders of the opposing factions settle
their own political fights afterward.
De Valera Warmly Received.
The crowd assembled outside the
httfI ,,l,
held this morning permitted Eamon j.
Duggan. one Of the signers of the peace
agreement. to pass in unnoticed Michael
Collins. arriving in an automobile. got a
slight cheer. Eamon de Valera, who
drove up accompanied by Erskine Chill
ders. reported as leading the fight
against ratification of the treaty, was
warmly received.
To-day's prolonged private sitting was
q surprise, as IL was supposed the Dal's
sole business would be in preparation
OF the agenda for Mondays public ses-
sion.
LONDON, Dec. II (Associated Press).
There was no dinlinution of confidence
in London to-day that The Anglo-rrish
treaty ultimately will be accepted by
the Dali Eireann or BY the Irish people
il referendum should become neces-
sary. But the unexplained prolongation
of the secret debates in Dublin has be-
gun TO cause some anxiety here. which
Is somewhat augmented by the remem-
brance of many similar prolonged de-
bates on the Irish side during the course
of the negotiations that preceded the
signing of that document.
The English public mind to-day ap-
peared TO revert to the warning OF Her
bert Asquith, formerly Prime Minister,
about malignant genius' lowering
over Irish affairs, and this uneasiness
was increased by reports OF important
notifications OF the treaty to be sug-
gested from Dublin, entailing possibly
entirely new negotiations.
Should this unexpected course be
adopted nobody here seems to know how
the Government would meet It. During
the course of tho debate on the treaty
in the House of Commons the Prime
Minister, Mr.. Lloyd George, took the
stand that an attempt by Parliament to
modify the treaty would destroy 1t and
necessitate new conference. Presuma-
bly, notifications by the Dali would have
the same effect.
Gossip in the Lobbfes.
There was much political gossip in the
Hobbies of Parliament yesterday after
the votes we're taken concerning the
Governments reason for not prorosuins
Parliament, many members apparently
,,.,s ,,ttt, h.ft t1a a
explanation that II was necessary to
wait for the Dairs decision. The Dail's
decision. they said, might settle nothing.
and II plebiscite In Ireland was de-
cidcd upon Parliament might be held in
session until after New Years.
Lord Birkenhead has charge OF the
Government side in Irish affairs, now
that the Prime Minister will be engaged
with NJ. BRAND and the matter of Ger
man reparations. u will be recalled that
in Yesterdays speech Lord Birkenhead
openly referred TO the possibility or an
appeal being made 20 the country on the
Irish settlement
IL Is beginning 10 be believed that the
Dali EIreann will ratify the treaty, II
al all. only by a narrow majority. Gossip
puts the number OF those known TO be
pledged to ratification Mt sixty-four.
Should the decision. as feared In some
quarters be for important notifications
OF the treaty. there is a growing belief
that Mr.. Lloyd George will resort to n
general election early In the year.
Trshmcn themselves. according TO
Dublin reports. are irrltatcd at the delay
and want tho matter settled, n only
because or the uncertainty. which is
detrimental 10 Christmas trade The
serious disorders and shootings at Bel
fast are also regarded as another reason
for p quick settlement.
Tho Prime Minister and Lord Birkep-
head have both gone 10 tic country for
the weekend. They win return 20 Lon
don Monday. Thcrc has been no meet