The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-24
ALL IRELAND
SICK OVER
TREATY ROW
Little Probability Of
Settlement T h i S
Week Of Fight in
Dali Eireann


Dublin, Dec. 20.-At the close of
today's session of the Dial Eireann
it was clear that decision on the
treaty would not be taken before
Thursday afternoon at the earliest.
Some OF the members were even of
the opinion that adjournment over
the Christmas holidays may be
necessary, among them Michael
Collins.
Arthur Griffith, head of the plen-
ipotentiaries, and Ramon De Va
lera. who is strongly opposing the
treaty, are agreed. however, that
suspense would be bad for the
country. AS matter Of fact judg-
ing by the attitude the people of
Dublin, the whole country, is fairly
sick with uncertainty and anxiety.
It was made evident today that
the Dali Erieann will tolerate no
form Of cloture. Twenty additional
members, the speaker announced,
! have sent in their names, and prob
ably others will desire to be heard.
the idea appearing to prevail that
each member is in duty bound to
explain his vote to his constitu-
ents
The trend Of sentiment ir the
parliament is eagerly watched, and
observers present throughout the
days proceedings were Of the opin-
ion tonight that the prospects of
ratification have improved. One
speaker sharply criticized the atti-
tude of some of the members. sug-
gesting that though they would
vote against the treaty they really
hoped it would be approved This
tended TO confirm the reports that
several deputies, though unwilling
to expose the country to the conse-
quences Of rejection, wish to main
tain their personal position as true
Republicans
The main force Of the attack on
them was based on the argument
that even De Valera has abandoned
the idea Of q republic and framed
an cath recognizing the king as
head Of the community OF nations
with which Ireland is TO be associ-
ated.
The most exciting speech at to-
days meeting was that of DR.. Pat
rick McCarlin. known as the first
ambassador of the Irish Republic
to the United States, who condemn
ed everybody impartially and de-
clared emphaticaKy that the repub-
lie had been abandoned in Dublin
before the delegates crossed to
London. He evoked great applause
by expressing preference for Grif-
fifth and Collins. who he said, did
| their best, over the 'quiDblers. "
| among whom he included De Va.
lera, who criticised the delegates
in the Dali Eireann. while tle.l.,.la
them on no difference of serious
principles.
DR.. McCartan denounced the
whole Dali Eireacn, saying they all
went into the boat of British inn
perialism. He was an uncompro-
missing Republican, recognizing
kings as out of date. and he object
ed to any association with the Brit
ish empire. There was no real diff
ference between the opposing sec
tons of the cabinet, he asserted
they We're all wrong. The men
who died had died neither for thi.
treaty nor for the De Valera docu.
naent. The republic of which Ea.
mon De Valera was president was
dead.
In conclusion DR.. McCartan saw
no way out. for there was divided
cabinet, a divided Dali Eireann, a
divided army and divided country
He declined to vote for the treaty
or for chaos. and therefore, would
abstain from voting.
The narrowing of the issue be.
tween the opposing sections in the
Dali Eireann cabinet was the main
feature Of tie debate. Several mem.
bers endeavored 10 elicit the terms
submitted at the private session
last week by Mr.. De Valera. with
the object Of proving that his dis
agreement with Mr. Griffith WIS
not worth fghing for. One of the
speakers suggested as q way out
Of the difficulty submission Of the
question to two typical constituen-
cies, naming South Cork and Eas,
Clare. the latter being De Valera's
own constituency De Valera laugh
cd loudly at this suggestion.
War as an alternative to the
treaty was generally recognized by
al the speakers, and it is under
! stood that the retirement Of the
members into private session for ar
hou! in the afternoon was for the
! purpose OF examining the positio:
! Of the Irish Republican army il
! case the treaty was rejected.