The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-01-05
ADJODRNA AFTER
CONTINUED from par, on.,

treaty at today's session, turned
into anxiety over the probable Of.
feet Of this move on further pro-
ceedtngs in the Dali.
Mr.. De valera's right to move
his proposals as an amendment has
been challenged and It is possible
that critical division may occu!
on the motion to enable him to
carry out his plan. His opponents
declare he must reserve his al
tentative proposal until the Dali
has given a direct vote on the
treaty.
Supporters Of the treaty express
themselves as deeply chagrined at
the move the Dali has aiken, Some
regard It as the last desperate eff
fort OF a leader who sees his
power slipping from his grasp.
From the confusion caused BY
his launching what the followers
OF Arthur Griffith seem agreed to
call document 81 1t is difficult
to evolve any concrete view Of the
probable result and most obser.
vers, after expressing their per-
sonal opinion OF de Valera's action
say the unraveiing OF the tansle
must await today's proceedings OF
the Dali.
Meanwhile strong cundamnatory
comment has been made nv tha
newspapers and an editorial in the
Freeman Journal reads:
Those who hoped de Valera
would spare ireland the ordeal Of
q factional fight over his absurd
document number three are To be
disappointed. The Irish people
will find no justification IN his
Implication for his criminal at
tempt to divide the nation. His
alleged alternative to the treaty.
Is no alternative; It contains ali
the articles for which the treaty
mas been assailed by the ideal
orators of the Dali only It is
much worse"
The newspaper seeking an AZ.
PLANTATION OF Mr.. De Vaiera's nc
ton, says 1t Is apparently due to
vanity" and adds:
He cannot forgive the Irish
mon who made the treaty for their
success, and for this he is ready
to sacrifice the country. He has
not the instinct OF the Irishman
In his blood. 1t is the curse Of
Ireland that its unity should be
broken by such a man acting up-
der the advice OF an Englishman
who achieved fame in the British
Intelligence service. An apparent
reference to Erskiue Childers
document number three is large
" the work OF Childers-the Irish
people must stand up and begin
their freedom by giving their fate
into the hands OF their own coun-
trymen."
The correspondent OF the Free
man Journal writes:
DE Valera depending upon the
loyalty and devotion which CEN
tor around the position OF emin-
ence In which the people have
placed him, seems to be arrogat-
ing 10 himself the right Of an au-
tocrat. His manifesto struck a
historical note and leaves one
with the picture of De Valera
shrieking 'treachery' In the face
OF men like Collins. Griffith, Null
cahey, McKeown, o'Duffy and
others whose lives have been
daily risked for their country. The
absurdity OF It would efface its
wickedness in other circum-
stances. De Valera's name seems
alone to make it subject for
serious comment.
The writer says Mr.. De Valera
by his action seeks ito be the law
unto himself and to propose the
amendment although he has al
ready spoken In debate"
zone felt" he adds. "that the
protesting voice Of the man in the
street or the man in the fields
found expression in Griffith's
prompt challenge to Dc valera's
assumption Of a privilege I'M
dreamed OF by any other member
of the assembly. His (Grlftith's)
characterization OF such a claim
as evidence of autocracy, which,
II persisted in, would force the
chairman Of the plenipotentiaries
and those who support him to, quit
the Dali, was the most serious
statement made in the whole
course Of the controversy. No
such situation has arIzen In Irish
affairs since Charles Stewart Par
nell's struggle in committee room
number Is. (When Psrnell, as
head OF the Irish parliamentary
party in the house of commons,
refused TO allow a vote on the
resolution for his own depost-
tion).
despite all the high hopes for
unity and amity, nobody who was
present at the passage OF arms
which closed last evenings debate
could doubt that the assembly
stood on the verge Of all the dis
aster that is summed up In the
horrible little word 'split'.%>
The Irish Independent also
condemns document number
three although in milder terms.