Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-22
Fein Is
to
Avoid Split
Ard fheis Adjourns After In.
s,ructing Leaders Of Two
Parties to Plan United
Agreement.
Fail to Agree on Treaty

Dublin, Feb. 2l.-Thcre is a pos
sibility tina, split in the Sim Fein
over the anelo.lrish treaty will be
avoided. The Ard Fheis. the na.
tional Sim Fem convention which
met at the Mansion house today
Tor the purpose OF defining the at
titude OF the Sim Fein clubs on
the treaty, whether for a free state
or republic, adjourned until 10.
morrow with instructions 10 the
leaders oil the two parties to come
together and devise a plan TO keep
the Scin Feinn organization united.
The unexpected outcome was due
to the direct initiative OF the meet
ing in general and was not prompted
by the leaders of either side. Alter
De Valera had presented a rcsolu-
ton plcdging adherence to the con-
stitution adopted by the Ard Fhci.
in 1917, looking TO international
recognition OF Ireland. all indcpend-
cnt republic" and stated his obicc-
tions TO the treaty OH republican
principles, the debate. unlike the
discussion in the Dali Eirrean did
not settle down into an examination
OF the merits and dcmcri,s OF the
treaty.
Raise No New Points.
Alter Griffith, president of the
Dali Eirrean replying TO Mr.. De
Valera, raised no new points; he
merely reasserted that the treaty
gave Ireland the opportunity it
needed.
Cheers from both sides greeted the
suggestion OF Father Gaynor, an in
flucntial member OF the standing
committee, composed of both sup
porters and opponents OF the treaty,
for thrcc-year postponement OF the
elections and proved that the prevail
ing sentiment of the convention was
for unity in the organization in view
OF possible cvcntualities and that it
should not be difficult for Mr.. Dc
Valera and Mr.. Griffith to reach an
arrangement avoiding disruption of
the organization on which Ireland,
in the case OF breach between the
British ministers and ireland, might
be compelled to reply. a..
Mr.. Dc Valera argued that elec-
tions at the present time would be
unfair because the Irish people would
have only the vaguest idea OF what
they were offered in exchange for
the republic. Michael Collins did
his best to meet this objection and
indicated that he did not desire that
the elections be rushed, but was un-
able to give guarantee against cleo
tions. He pointed out that so long
as the elections were delayed it was
open to the supporters of De Valera
to defeat the provisional government
iii the Dali African and that defeat by
even one vote on minor point would
compel the government to resign.
Mr.. Griffith emphasized the same
point and charged that De Valera
wa strying to avoid decision by the
people. Mr.. dc Valera resented this
and meeting the objection of Col
lins and Griffith that they could not
guarantee Lloyd George would not
force elections contended that no
elections could be held without the
sanction CT the dali eirrcan and the
army.
Opposed to Split.
Subsequent speakers reinforced
the plea that the leaders should en-
dcavor to avoid a split. The matter
finally was settled by the intcrvcn-
ton of Richard Mulcahy, minister
Of defense and head of the army.
Mr.. Mulcahy framed a resolution
declaring that the leaders meet TO-
night and seek a basis Of agreement
for submission to the convention to-
morrow.
Several OF the leading members of
both sides, questioned later, ex.
pressed doubt as to the possibility
Of accommodation. Mr.. Collins,
however, was strongly OF the opin-
ion, which he voiced forcible to the
meeting, that the situation would
SO improve that three months hence
united decisions, impossible now,
might then be reached.
Despite the long drawn out and
arduous session the general tone OF
the convention was unexpectedly
harmonious. 1t is unquestioned that
the rank and file, both republicans
and free staters. are earnestly de-
sirous to prevent a spit and every
move toward the continuation of
unity was heartily applauded. Just
before adjournment both Mr.. De
Valera and Mr.. Collins admuitted
that they had entered the meeting
believing that compromise was
impossible and that the attitude Of