New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-17
Army Vacations Suspend
ed as Slim Fein Chief
Declares Erin Ready
to Die for Principle
Open Dali Eireann
Cheered in Dublin
Unionists' Names Called.
but None Answer: Cab
met Meets in Ulster
From. The Tribune,s Europeon Bureau

Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, Aug. 16.-To-night the
Irish situation seemed considerably
darker. Although feeling of
optimism is said to prevail still in
government quarters, two facts
stand out:
Eamon de Valera, the Sim Fein
leader, at The opening of the Dali
Eireann in Dublin to-day, reiter-
ated his demand for an Irish re-
public or nothing.
The British government is re-
ported to be canceling che leaves
of soldiers on duty with regiments
in Ireland and calling them back
to their units.
AS had been expected, the Dali
Eireann adjourned after a perfume
tory session to-day, and it is expect
ed that the real discussion of Eng
lands peace terms will not begin
until Thursday.
De Valera's speech opening the Sim
Fein Parliament emphasized uneauivo-
cally the Irish desire for total in
dependence from Great Britain. and
unless De Valera intended it for
monumental bluff, it certainly does not
tend to strengthen the hopes of peace.
Ready to Die for Republic
"Only or the basis of the recognition
Of the republic can we deal with any
foreign power" the Sim Fem leader
declared eve stand on that principle
and we mean to die for it if necessary.
1t is practically impossible for Irish
men to negotiate with the British gov
eminent. If were to take up the Brit
1sh proposals in detail | would prove
that they are unjust"
The only loophole De Valera LETT
was when he said:
Il do not say t'lat the Irish people
given a plebiscite, would vote for re-
publican government so much-for
they are not republican doctrinaires as
such--as for Irish freedom and in
dependence. Hence the Irish republic
is sanctioned by the will of the peo-
pie"
This statement by the man to whom
Sim Fein has given the title, "Pres-
dent of the irish Republic" might
mean that republican leaders would be
willing to submit the peace terms to
q plebiscite.
The first public meeting Of tho Dali
Eireann occasioned intense interest in
Dublin. Two thousand spectators were
admitted to the galleries of the Man
sion House and thousands more
blocked the streets outside, hoping tc
catch q glimpse of the Sim Fem
Parliament members. Soldiers Of the
Irish republican army regulated traffic
and kept order.
In room which was hurriedly fitted
out just one hundred years ago for
the purpose of entertaining King
George ", members of the Dali
Eireann seated themselves on benches
similar to those in the Imperial Parlia-
ment in London.
Leaders Given Ovations
Michael Collins, commander Of the
Sim Fein army, was the first to sign
the roll and was accorded a great
ovation. De Valera, Arthur Griffith.
the founder Of Sim Fem, and John
McKeown, who only recently was re-
leased from prison, also were enthusi-
astlcaily cneere0, as was countess
Markiewicz.
The nan.< of ali the Unionists in
the Southern Parliament also were
called, but there was no response.
Then, after the election Of Eoin Mac
Neill as Speaker, Father OFlanagan
read a prayer in Gaelic, and each
member took the oath Of allegiance TO
the free Irish state.
The Ulster Cabinet met to-day In
Belfast, but took no action.
The London Evening Standard,
newspaper which generally is we'll in
formed on the coalition policy, de-
clares that in the event of the failure
of the negotiations there will be an
immediate general election.
Should this happen it is felt that
Premier Lloyd George would be re-
turned if he made the i1ish issue his
main plank. Then probably the crown
colony government, as provided in the
Home Rule act now in effect, would be
instituted in southern Ireland and the
military forces would be given free
hand.