Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-03
Dali Resumes Today
Deliberations on
Pact with British

Dublin. Jan. 2-(By A. P. )-Virtual-
ly all the members of the Dali Fir
cam had arrived in Dublin tonight
for the resumption of the sessions of
the Dali Eireann tomorrow to give
further consideration to the peace
treaty with Great Britain.
AS far as could be gathered from
conversations with the members to-
night the Christmas recess had not
materially altered the lineup for and
against the treaty.
1t had been supposed the campaign
in the country in favor Qualification
Of the treaty, supported by pronoun-
cements of the Irish bishops and by
resolutions not only of public repres-
enkatives bodies but of important
units in the Sim F'ein organization,
would have weakened the attitude Of
some of the opponents of the treaty
and induced them to vote in it's favor.
An estimate made by one of the
political leaders on the eve of the
adjournment of the Dali gave IS votes
on each side. with four votes doubt
full or "abstentionsts.'
One of the leaders of the party IA
vOrablc to the treaty said to The
Associated Press today that he did
not believe the vote of any of the
men previously ranged against the
treaty would be turned in its favor,
and that the ma jority for the treaty.
which in any event must be small,
must depend on abstentions from
voting rather than on the transfer of
votes.
Rumors of compromise and of ac-
cOmmodations as we'll as a statement
that Eamon De Valera had decided to
Withdraw his alternative plan no
longer and credited here. Mr.. De
Nalera's original idea was to put
forward his plan in the vent of a
rejection of the treaty. but his most
intimate councillors say now that he
will put it forward in any event.
No possible basis for a compromise
seemed to exist tonight. for the whole
controversy apparently now is turn
ing on the fundamental principle of
IA republic or no republic. Mr.. De
Valera and, his friends contend that
the treaty represents an abandon
ment of the republic and is in viola
ton of the principles on which every
member of the Dali was elected His
opponents, while they minimize the
importance of the concessions met
by the oath of allegiance and other
wise TO the principle of association
with the British Empire. argue that
the treaty gives them virtually all
they ask for. or, as MlchaeI Collins.
the minister of finance. puts it, "in
the substance of freedom and the
means to achieve it,"
All the indications tonight point to
the determination of the Republican
party whether they win or lose in
the Dali, to carry on their fight.
Many of the members seemingly, if
anything, tonight were stronger in
their hostility to the treaty than
when the Dali adjourned for the
Christmas holidays, gagged by their
utorances. The vigorous press cam
paign in favor of the treaty appar-
entity has had upon their minds an
effect opposite to that intended. They
point out that there is nothing hos
tile to them which the daily newspa-
pers arc now publishing that it's any
different from the attitude of the
same journals toward them since the
inception of the whole Sim elm
movement.
At the date of the truce only one
Sin Fem newspaper. Young Ireland.
existed. 1t was edited by Arthur
Griffith. vice president and minister
of foreign affairs. Since his release
from prison, Mr.. Griffith says he has
not resumed his editorial work. The
newspaper was generally understood
to reflect his views. Since the for
nation of the treaty. it has taken no
strong line on either sadie In this
it has been in accord with the entire
attitude of Mr.. Griffith and Michael
Collins. who since the Dali Eireann
has been meeting. have been careful
to avoid any controversial public ut
terances.
The main evidence of the fighting
spirit on the part of the Republicans
is found in their prompt decision to
establish an organ of their own. the
Republic of Ireland, the first issue of