The New York herald., 1922-01-07
Friends Of Ratification Al
most Lose Hope of Win
ming Decision.
ISSUE is NOW CLEAR CUT
If Pact Fails, Dali Likely to
Put Next Move Up
to British.

DUBLIN, Jan. 6.--Some of the staunch-
est partisans for the treaty creating
the Free State of Ireland practically
abandoned hope tonight that it would
be ratified. A man who has stood the
strongest for ratification told THE
New York HERALD correspondent that
in his Judgment the fight was lost.
There is still a possibility that some
eleventh hour move may bring a
change, but it seems that nothing can
avert straight out vote some time
tomorrow on acceptance or rejection.
with even the warmest supporters of
the treaty not confident of victory.
Eamon de Valera made a striking
effort to force the issue this afternoon,
when in the midst of an impassioned
speech he threw his resignation as
President of the Republic on the table.
He demanded that the members of the
Government should either get wholly
behind rejection with him or wholly
for ratification with some one else.
His resignation necessarily would be
followed by that of his Cabinet.
Michael Collins made just as elo-
quent an appeal as had De Valera.
He charged that ''bullies" used Tam
many methods" to prevent report
by the committee which worked last
night for compromise from being
received at the secret session this
morning. 1t had been said that the
committee was -unablee to reach a
real agreement, but Collins's charges
brought sharp replies from Deputy
Brugha and Harry Boland. Then Col
Inns attacked Deputy Collivet of Linn
crick and his motion to suspend the
rules and accept De valera's resigna-
ton.
Agree to Take Vote.
wsth De Valera's approval the Col
Iivet motion was then withdrawn and
an agreement reached 10 proceed
straight to vote. which both Grif-
fifth and De Valera decided to hold at
noon tomorrow Mr.. de Valera agreed
to postpone his resignation until after
the vote.
There are still many members with
speeches under their belts. however. and
il seems possible that the voting stage
may not be reached promptly. 1t may
even run over until Monday
With the issue now clear cut and the
outcome ominous the leaders of both
sides are in somewhat of a quandary
as TO what 10 do There Is even serious
talk of a trial for the execution Of
Collins as traitor when DE Valera Is
cnce firmly In tie saddle. What seems
most likely. however, is that the Dali
1;ireann will continue to function and
will put the next move up to Premier
Lloyd George. There Is stili a belief in
anti-treaty circles that IL the peni-
potentiarics had refused to sign on the
fateful Sunday in Downing street. when
Premier Lloyd George threatened war;
they would have got the notifications
in the oath which De Valera and his
faction wanted.
This suggestion was voiced in the
speech OF one of the delegates this af-
ternoon. who declared: They charge us
with wanting to 20 to war over a
shadow. That cuts both ways. VIII
Britain go 10 war over "a shadow7'
There is no likelihood that hostilities
would break out Immediately after a
rejection of the treaty either with the
British or between the factions. The
Irish Republican Army is about equally
split, according to reports reach
ing here, with Collins and Mulcahy lead
ing one faction and Brugha the other.
These will probably neutralize each
other.
People for Ratification.
Reports from the countryside continue
20 show that the vast bulk of the people
favor ratification. De Valera's friends
admit this, but say that IL is because
they have been misled by the Irish press.
Hence they will not seek anything like
a plebiscte now.
DE Valera's offer TO resign to-day en-
visaged the choice Of his successor by the
Dail as II sat there, hence his confidence
TO beat Griffith in such an issue.
DE Valera in his wonderful forensic
effort this afternoon literally swung the
house back to where he wanted Il. He
wrapped the blood stained green nag
of tho rebellion around him and prac-
tlcally anasthetized both himself and the
house TO all feelings OF the treaty. He
eaid politics had entered into the Dali
from the moment the delegates had re-
turned from London. and that In the last
three weeks he had had all he wanted
OF politics. and whether he won or lost
he would retire to private life.
This Kerenskylike flood OF words
seemingly nonpIussed the Griffith side
and undld their work of insuring
majority outside the house. The speech.
however. produced certain reaction.
Collins arose and hurled at Brugha--
for though he did not mention names
there was no mistake as to whom he
meant by "bullies"--the charge OF polit-
zeal dodgery.
stentorian tones always command the
attention of the house. and said that the
president" treated the house as though
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