Evening star., 1921-08-22
DALI STARTS WORK
ON NREPLY TO OFFER
IN SECRET SESSION
Public Meeting Held Last
Week Believed to Have
Laid Ground.
ARRIVAL OF H. J. B0LAND
FROM U. S. AIDS ANSWER
Indications of Dissension in Ranks
of Members of Parliament
Are Noted in Dublin.
BY tie Associated Press.

by Tie AsSoclhted PreSS.
DUBLIN. August "2-Secret ses-
sions of the Irish republican parlia-
ment to draft the Sim Fein reply TO
Great Britain peace proposals began
here today. The public meetings last
week and subsequent conferences be-
tween Eamonn de Valera and his col
leagues were believed to have laid the
ground for an early reply.
The presence of Harry ]. Boland.
who represented Mr. de Valera in the
United States, after the Sim Fein
. chieftain had returned to Ireland. was
considered as important, as II was
believed he would submit to the par
Lament report outlining the state
of public opinion on the other side of
the Atlantic. 1t has been understood
since the initial meeting of the par
Lament that a decision might be de-
layed until Mr.. Boland reached this
city, and his arrival yesterday was
looked upon as significant.
Indications of Dlssension.
There have been indications that a
certain amount of dissenSlon existed
in the rank and file of the par1ia-
ment over the attitude to be taken
toward the British offer of dominion
status for Ireland. and 1t appeared
probable today that many members
would speak on the question before
final decision was reached
Press comments by Dublin news
papers would seem to reflect de-
sire on the part of the Sinn Fein not
to utterly reject the British OFFER,
but rather to obtain from Prime Min
ing details of the governments offer.
Objections have been made that Ire.
land, because of her geographical
position. would not be given the
m ont
enjoyed by Canada or Australia, and
it has been held that the prime min
lister should define his exact position
in this respect. Organs of the union
the governments proposals, or at
least the submission of them to a
plebiscite in southern Ireland.
Ulster Stands Unrelentinx.
The attitude of Ulster up to today
had apparently been unrelenting, 50
far as making common cause Win WIN
was concerned It sssmed the deci.
sion of Sir James Craig to stand
aloof during negotiations between
dublin and London had no been re-
considered. The week end passed
quietly in this city. but IT was mar
red in Belfast by the explosion OF
bomb.
Long before II o'clock, when the
parliament was to meet. crowds gath
cred outside the Mansion House to
cheer the republican leaders, particu-
larly Mr. Boland and Miss Mary Mac
Swiney, both of whom arrived from
the United States yesterday.
The result of today's secret meet
ing was awaited with palpable anxl-
ETY., not unmixed, it appeared, with
considerable hope of favorable de-
| yelopments. Hardly any one ex-
pected decision today. but it was
surmised that some indication OF the
dairs final action might be derived
| after the first days session.
Rumorx Of Opposition.
Just before the dali went into ses-
| sion 1t was announced the Intention
was to sit throughout the day. with a
adjourn until Tuesday, when the dali
will meet simultaneously with the
Sim Fein executive. The latter. be-
ing the larger body. will have the
round hall of the Mansion House. the
remaining deputies sitting in the oak
room.
This would appear to indicate that
fomorrow's secret session of the dali
will not be highly important, as most
of the leaders will be at the meeting
of the executive.
There are many rumors abroad that
opposition to the dali eirean cabinet is
developing among the deputies. but
there Is no confirmation whatever that
such a condition exists. ErSkine
Childers of the Sim Fein encourage
was questioned on this point today, but
failed to respond to the query.
LITTLE HOPE IN ULSTER.