New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-01
De Valera Helm
ExpectedEvenif
Treaty pheld
london Hears That, While
Opposition to Free States
Ratification l. Pressed.
agreements Are Discussed
Uncertainty Holds in Dali
Predictions Are Terms Will
Have Majority of From
Two 10 Twenty Votes


tort right. 1872 View York Tribune Inc
LONDON. Dec 81 .-Rumors are cur.
rent here that surprising Developments
nay be expected in the Irish situation
next week, when the Dali Eireann re
conrenes 10 resume discussion OF the
Anglo-lrish treaty. Although secrecy
and confusion surround the issue now,
the surprise is expected to DC An an
nouncement that the De Valera fac
ton has decided to cooperate in the
interests Of the Irish Free State
Such a development VIII not mean
sha, De Valera and his followers have
2bandoned their fight against ratifca-
ton. bat that. Il the treaty is ratified
the new regime. as had been predicted,
but MI offer their help in the read
5ust-.eut Of the ration.
At secret conferences during the
week, j, is understood, the leaders who
nave been separated on the treaty
issues have been attempting to reach
2 basis ser cooperation in the event Of
the treaty's acceptance by the Dsil
Eircaun. Arthur Griffith and Michael
Collins, the chief supporters Of the
treaty. arc most anxious to have the
rep % canon de aNlera, Erskine
Childers and others who are now
banded against them for the rejection
Of the treaty. They are ready to make
big compromises on everything except
the treaty itself.
Nothing reaching London indicates
1T all that the De Valera group is re-
iaxing It's opposition TO the treaty. and
noueh more than fifteen local Irish
government organizations have gone on
record in favor Of ratification nobody
daros 20 venture q close forecast of the
vote Of the Dali. By agreement both
sides have refrained from carrying On
a propaganda campaign during the ad-
}ournmont, but leaders have held many
private meetings. Estimates Of the
majority in favor Of ratification range
from two TO twenty votes, with ten
about the average guess.
No deputy contends that the treaty
satisfies the aspirations of the Irish
people, but since Premier Lloyd
Georges statement that it represents
the last word of the British govern
mont eherc has been less talk about
alternatives
Il is enthusiastically true that oppo-
nents Of the treaty in the Dali are much
more numerous proportionstely than
It's opponents among the Irish people.
IN Dublin large majorlty, perhaps so
porters Of ratification. but in other sec
tions. such as Cork and Limerick and
Kerr, the opponents and proponents
pro ably stand in the proportion of 40
70 SO. Even these figures must be ac-
cepted as rough estimates, for it Is i'm
possible TO say how the people would
vote if q referendum were taken. Ac-
cording to good judges it is too close
u race for either side to be overcon-
fdent
One problem that is exercising the
minds Of many deputies concerns the
status Of the Dali in the event the
treaty is ratified They are wondering
whether the Dali, with all its schemes
or poor law reform, educational
changes and economic Development, will
Nc ScTapped in favor of a Dublin Castle
admir istration carried or by The pro
visional government. Some opposition
10 tho treaty would cvaporate if tho
depUtics were assured that the Dali
would function until the Free State
constitution was drafted and embodied
n legislation.
It is estimated that the process Of
establishing the Free State Will take six
months During this period the war
ing factions might harmoni2c their
views If the various Dali and Free
State Institutions could function side
by side. " mat Ireland needs above
everything else in the coming yeav is
national unity. 1t has too few leaders
Of ability to pare any Of them at this
'lghly critica' tage. and the Difficult
ties Of self government will be great
enough without the distraction of an
internal political battle. The old ma
tionahsts Of southern Ireland, such as
John Diliou. predict a year of political
chaos and although they do not say it.
!