New-York tribune., 1921-12-15

De Valera Is Challenged
by Collins, Who Resents
Charge of Treason and
Upholds Envoys' Action
Future Sessions To
Be Held in Secret
Indications Point to Rat
ification of Agreement
by Big Vote ON Friday

By Arthur S. Draper

y Al LiaQl LII dRCA
specici Cable to The Tribune
Copyright. 1921. New York Tribune Inc
DUBLIN, Dec. 14.-The contest in
the Dali Eireann over the ratifica-
ton or rejection of the treaty with
Great Britain, ending seven centu-
ries of intermittent warfare and es~
tablishing an Irish Free State, be-
came an open conflict between Ea-
mon de Valera, the republican
President, and Arthur Griffith and
Michael Collins. signers of the
treaty, as the Dali met in special ses-
sion here to-day.
Ratification Likely
To-day's debate, which was char
acterized by an acrimonious inter
change between De Valera and Col
Inns, who is head of the Sim Fein
army and Minister of Finance, left
De Valera still master of Sim Fein.
but at It's close it appeared increas-
ingly probable that the treaty would
be approved, probably Friday, in the
vote which will succeed discussion of
the treaty. 1t seemed possible even
that the Dali would cast a unani-
nous vote in its favor after its op-
ponents, led by De Valera, had op-
portunity to let their constituents
and the world know that the treaty
was not exactly satisfactory to them.
Ireland wants peace too much to
turn down the present treaty, and De
Valera knows that as we'll as any one.
He is still the dominating personality
of the Sim Feir movement, but he has
lost much Of his pvwer. All the mem
bers Of the Dali hope that his leader
ship will continue, but many of them
intend to hold him In check.
Collins Defies De Valera
De valera's dispute with Collins, the
most dramatic event of to-dav's ses-
sion, arose over De Valera's charge
that the Sim Fein negotiators had ex-
ceeded their instructions in signing the
treaty with the parent empire. In the
course Of debate De Valera, who
seemed to feel the embarrassment Of
his position, charged Collins with max
ing a statement contrary to fact"
while the pugnacious army leader and
Minister of Finance expressed his
readiness to meet anywhere, at any
time. any person who accused him OF
being a traitor.
To-day's historic meeting was held
in University College, near Stephens
in a green velvet gown, led Sim Fein
soldiers in battle in the Easter re-
bellion of 1916.
The meeting was marked by several
tense moments, and it was not until
after hours of discussion that the As
sembly decided TO settle the Dail's in
ternal differences at private meeting
this afternoon and defer debate on the
ratification of the treaty until to-mor-
row morning. This session lasted far
into the night. 1t was decided at this
meeting to abandon the plan of hold
ing public sessions.
Crowds Cheer Lenders
half hour after the time scheduled,
Professor John MacNeill, as Speaker,
University College. Crowds gathered in
the streets and cheered the leaders of
the Irish parliament as they arrived.
accompanied by Sim Fein soldiers
dressed in mufti, but nevertheless con-
spicuous by their alertness and mill
tary bearing De Valera took Dis seat
below the Speaker, hanked by the Min
lister OF Propaganda, while to the
Speakers right were Arthur Griffith
and Collins, constantly comforting.
The trouble started quickly, De
call to explain his dissatisfaction with
the delegates who had signed the peace
treaty without first consulting the
Sim Fein cabinet, as provided under
the agreement reading, ait is also
understood that ..e complete text of
the draft of the treaty about to be
signed will be similarly submitted to
Dublin ard q reply awaited"
Collins jumped up and asked the Presi-
dent to read also the credentials which
he had given the delegation. At this,
credentials had been accepted by
Premier Lloyd George.
Collins then read the text of these
credentials, the essential part of whics
stated that the delegates had been ap-
pointed to negotiate and conclude
treaty.
De Valera Questions Authority
De Valera demanded to know whether
these credentials had been accepted by
the British government or merely pre-
sented to it. This was technical
point, he said, but profoundly inn
portant, for if the credentials were ac-
cepted it meant that the delegates were
qualified to conclude treaty without
ratification by the Dali. 1t was at
this juncture that DR.. White intro
duced resolution demanding private
session, and an amendment was made
providing for a public meeting during
the discussion and vote on the treaty
itself. This was later rescinded.
Member followed member in rapid
succession, but always the battle was
between De Valera and Collins. Tho
President uressed Collins to give kim