The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-12-28
IRELAND
FAILS TO ACT
ON TREATY
ID al / Eireann Ad-
.iourns Until Janu-
ary With out Having
Accepted Peace Pro-
posal
r,,,,,;, nao - e % fgv tba Ass,

pOSaI
Dublin, Dec. % lBy the Asso-
eiated Press The Dai! Eireann,
by a vote of II to "A. decided late
today on a motion submitted by
Michael Collins to adjourn farther
debate on the Irish treaty until
Tuesday, January 8. 1t was not
the motion itself, but an amend
Ment to the motion, on which the
vote was actually taken The
amendment, introduced and Sec
onded by opponents Of the: treaty
called for continuance Of sittings
day and evening until action was
taken on the treaty's ratification or
rejection.
The defeat OF the amendment
automatically decided the motion.
: With few exceptions, SO far as could
be observed, the vote followed the
party lines OF those favoring or
opposing the treaty.
Nobody tonight b esIieyes. Of
course. that If 8 vote had been tax
en on the treaty itself the majority
would have been SO great as the
vote on the adjournment notices
gave II supporters, but there IS not
doubt in the minds os those wno
have been following the debates
carefully tha this vote roughly
approxinates the sentiments for
and against the treaty. who assert
that it was not a fair test as many
Of the deputies on both sides, es-
pecialIy the country members. dis
liked the idea OF the debate con-
stinuing through Christmas and yot-
ed for adjournment in order that
they might get home for the holi-
days.
Tn fact, Countess Markiewicz.
one of thes strongest opponents Of
the treaty. seconded 3fr. Collins
proposal, apparently having in
msnd as indicated by satirical
seconding speech, the possibility Of
the debate continuing through
Christmas day and night and over
looking the possibility Of g. party
division on the motion.
Mr.. Collins showdaaeagerness to
rush his motion through to quick
diyision. He sulnmarily. checked
Mr.. Milroy, who interrupted the
taking OF theyote to have the ques-
ton cleared UP as to whether depu-
ties representing two constituencies
should have two votes, Mr.. Col
lins declaring that he would not,
hear OF having the fate of Ireland
decided on the question OF a tech
nica1ity
When it became apparent that
there was to be a party line up on
the vote the atmosphere became
tense with excitement. Many Of the
spectators failed TO understand the
significance of the proceedings and
: the greatest bewilderment was
manifested upon the announce
meYlt OF the result Of the vote. De
Salera's face was stern and grim
when the figures were announced
Considerable elation was shown by
Collins and his adherents. Des-
mond Fitzgerald, minister Of propa-
ganda, who supports the treaty,
said tonight he believed that not
more than ten opponents Of the
treaty voted for adjournment, in
dicating majority Of 13 for the
treaty
Pierce Beasley, an active Sim
Feiner, who intended to speak this
afternoon for ratification, informed
The Associated Press correspond
ents here today before t;se vote was
taken that he could not make a
guess on the outcome Of the treaty.
but believes that 1.-The fate Of Ire
land is trembling in the balance. :"
Ennis, Ireland, Dec. % GBy the
Associated Press). The Clare
county council. the constituency Of
Eamonn De Valera, today voted II
TO 5 in favor Of the treaty between
Ireland and Great Britain and re-
quested Mr.. De Valera to use his
Influence for the maintenance Of
national unity.
The resolution admitted that
there were grave objections to the
treaty, but declared that there was
no rational alternative to its ac-
ceptance.
Rejection of the treaty" says
the resolution, would be almost
certain to involve us in a war to
annihiiatton, because our people
viii be divided. and because world
opinion instead of being with us as