New-York tribune., 1921-12-14
Dali Eireann Expected to
Approve Treaty for
Free State by Big Vote;
Parliament Also TO Act
Tension High OH
Eve of Balloting
DE Valera Said to Have
Abandoned Plan TO Re-
sign i'm Event of Defeat

By Arthur S. Draper
Special coblc TO The Tribune

Copyright, 1921, New York Tribune Inc.
DUBLIN, Dec 13.-On the eve of the
day that may decide whether Ireland is
to enter new era of peace as a free
state or revert to violence and war the
outlook here is that the Dali Eireann
will ratify the Anglo-Irish treaty to-
morrow by strong ajority. The
British Parliament also will meet in
London tomorrow to indorse the pact
and complete the process of establish
ing the new dominion of Ireland.
To find a parallel for this situation
one might go back score of years to
Kitchener's ultimatum to the leaders of
the republic movement in South Africa
To K. of K. General DeWct replied, 81
and my officers fight with one aim only
our ndependence-whic we never
can or will sacrifice" Yet DeWet, as
great then as Eamon de Valera here to-
day, yielded in the crisis. SO did Jan
C. SHUTS. And so, the prediction is,
will the leaders of the Sim Fein to-
morrow.
High Tension in Ireland
There is an intense feeling in Ire
land tonight, a tension born Of the
split which has arisen between De
Valera and the two men who up to now
have been his closest and most loyal
associates, Michael Collins and Arthur
Griffith. Having talked with many
Irish leaders of both sides to-day
those who oppose the treaty and those
who will vote for it in the Dali see
no reason for deviating from earlier
forecasts that the Dali will give the
pact majority. The outstanding diff
terence here, not apparent in London,
is that De Valera probably will not
Irish Republic even if the treaty is
ratified and his opposition is over
ridden.
Except for searching of luggage at
Holyhead, Wales, by the English au-
thorities on the lookout for arms and
the passing of lorries through the
streets of Dublin that are filled with
soldiers no longer bearing guns, a
traveller from England sees nothing
in the situation here that marks Ire
land as on the eve of great decision
But below the surface there is strong
current Of violent difference of opinion
Something of it vas evidenced at the
meeting of irish bishops here to-day
the same men who individually the
other day were heartily ndorsing the
treaty and urging its ratification. To-
day they adopted a non -committal res
olution, asking for prayers for the
, guidance of the mem bers of the Dali
Eireann and expressing hope that their
action will be prompted by the coun-
try's needs.
Secret Session Demanded
A new factor was thrown into the
situation by the publication in London
tonight OF the spondence which
has passed recently between Premier
Lloyd George and Sir James Craig
Ulster Premier. How strong a reaction
these arguments over the future of the
North will cause on the legislative ses-
sions in London and Dublin tomorrow
is open to question
When the Dali Eireann meets to-mor-
row at University College, which is far
larger than its regular meeting place
the Mansion House, resolution will be
offered demanding that the session be
secret. That fact In itself indicates
the desire of some members of the Sim
Fein body to express frankly the rea-
sons why theN arc opposed to the
treaty WHICH INo Ol lntII nOSI tIuSIeN
leaders negotiated and signed. In the
presence Of more than 100 represcnt-
{ atives of newspapers in all parts OF
the world, these adherents of De Valcra
feel that their position would be en-
tarrassing. The motion probably will
be defeated
Oath Principal Obstacle
Apparently the oath of allegiance is
the real bone of contention. AS pro
vided in the treaty, this takes tho
, form of an oath of loyalty to the con
stitution of the free state and a prom
Use of faithfulness to the King. De
Valera's followers insist that. twice
having taken the Sim Fein oath that
renounces all allegiance to the King
they cannot consclentiously take this
one. The Griffith-Collins group that
is now in the majority insists that this
il quibbling between the bone and the
shadow, and point out that by accept
ing this oath they have less to lose thar
did De Wet and SHUTS Griffith believes
Continued mage three)