The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-05
IRISH LEADERS MAY ]EOPARD|zE THEIR INFLUENCE Griffith and Collins May Lose Future Power in Free
 State by Service
 to England
By GEORGE N. BARNES
 British Parliament Leader ,eial " ireless Dispatch to The AGe-he rAa@

Special Wireless DispAbc to The AGe-HeraAa
 Copyright. 1929. by The AEe-HeraiD
 London, March 4.--Are Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith jeopar- dizing their future influence and power in the Irish Free State by their present temporary service as representatives of England?
 Certainly they are in an annoma- lous position, for while acting for the English government in the in- terregnum until an Irish election can be held, they at the same time, owe an allegiance to Sim Fein. They could not possibly function erect lively in the face of an adverse Sim Fein vote.
 De Valera, meantime, is actively engaged in spreading propaganda against the treaty and urging its re- lection The provisional government therefore, is being subjected to crit ical scrutiny. This will continue and any slip will be many times masni- fled.
 England Lends Money
 Every day the affairs of the South Irish government have to be dealt with. They cannot be held in sus- pense. Collins and his colleagues are responsible for the Irish services Of government, but they are without aQeQuaLe means 10 pIuNlue LuchAs AhS British government. therefore. has allocated 4 sum equal to six million dollars for the immediate require ncnts Arrangements also have been made betyeen Dublin and London for cornpensating those who suffered loss or injury in tho recent guerrilla warfare.
 The logic of events is bringing the provisional government more and int tn V- ernment in London. How that will appeal to Irish psychology remains to be seen.
 Despite an ever deepening depres- sion of trade and difficulties about the Genoa conference the Irish ques- tion continues to occupy first place in the minds of responsible persons in this country. This is more from compulson than choice, because we would fain devote ourselves to the economic evils which confront us. But we are arrested by events in Ireland.
 The surrender of Collins to De Valera at the Sim Fein club con yention last week, led to post ponement of the bill in the British parliament legalizing the Irish trea- ty. Conferences with the Dublin ministers, however, cleared the air and the bill has again started through it's parliamentary stages. The net result of De Nalera's victory over Collins and Griffith has been to strengthen British opposition to the governments policy and to retard the working out of time table for the various stages of the Irish bill But. providing no further obstacles shall be interposed. the bill should pass in about a fortnight.
 There can be no election in Ire- land. however. for at least three months and then in accordance with the arrangement made between the two Sim Fein sections, the vote will be on a constitution as well as tho treaty. Collins and his colleagues appear to hold the view that their acceptance of De Valera's terms of three months delay and the inclusion of the constitutional vote, was the lesser of two evils open to them. For if they had pressed the issue to vote, defeat and chaos might have ensued
 The inclusion of the constitution in the campaign of the next three months is almost certain to lead to further factional troubles. Therein lies the danger of delay. An unfor- tunate feature of the present situa- ton is that Irish unity seems to be receding. Sir James Craig, Ulster premier has even declined to pro- ceed with a judicial inquiry into re- cent killings at Clones or to have any barley with the southern govern ment until all Kidnapped Ulster per sons are released.
 Tn the northern area itself, disor- d~ys are subsiding. It is true there has been further bombing and shoot ing at Belfast for which no arrests have been made. but these may prove to be the last outrages to be com mitted with impunity in Belfast, for the Ulster government has at last issued an edict regarding possess sion or traffic in firearms. From Tuesday last, any person found guilty Of either offense, is liable to punishment up to two years at hard labor.
 On the whole. the Irish position Is critical. but l still think Ireland is in a fair way to peace and tranquil lity provided she is left free from American or any outside or irritating influence.