Evening star., 1922-06-16
IRISH VOTERS SEEK
TO SETTLEFUTURE
Wealthy Glasses at Polls
Ahead of Workmen in To-
days Election.
By the Associated Press.

DUBLIN, June 16.-The voters of
! southern Ireland went to the polls
today to elect an Irish parliament. as
provided under the terms of the
Anglo-Irish treaty.
Under the recent agreement be-
tween the factions favoring and op-
posing the treaty a coalition panel
of candidates was presented to the
people apportioning representation
in the parliament at approximately
the same ratio as shown in past tests
of strength in the dali eireann.
A number of independents, how
ever. have entered the field in an
effort to overturn the panel in treaty
issue. and it was on this phase of the
struggle that interest mainly CEN
tered as the polling began.
Estimates were that at least fifteen
of the independents would be success
full. with the anti-treaty party losing
ten and the pro-treatyites five seats.
Property Glasses Vote Early.
The property classes were. in the
majority in the mornings voting
and the inhabitants of the fashiona-
BILE squares in the southern part of
Dublin, who had been expected to
abstain. were out in considerable
numbers.
The workers are expected to poll
largely in the evening and the voting
time has been extended to O'Clock
for their convenience.
The belief that another general
election will be held in the near
future robbed today's polling of
most of its interest for the majority
of the people. 1t was thought that
for the greater part the southern
and western counties would return
the candidates listed on the coalition
panel, the voters reserving the right
to cast their ballots at the next elec-
tion for whomever they wish.
In those districts where the cleo
torate will have an opportunity to
record its sentiment on the main
issue, it is believed the treaty will
receive hearty Endorsement
Sim Fein Split Near.
Following the election it is taken
for granted that the two wings of
tho Sinn Fein will swing wider apart.
necessitating the speedy compilation
Of a new register, based on adult
suffrage. which will give the country
a chance to express its real opinion
on the treaty, the constitution ana
various domestic questions.
Publication last night Of the terms
~ the draft of the Irish constitution
on which the new parliament must
nass. was not expected to influence
the vote. The comment of the Dub
lin morning newspapers today Is
mostly favorable to the constitution
The Freeman's Journal says:
"The draft of the constitution de-
clares that all political power IN Ire
land derives from the people. Let the
neople prove today by the fearless,
Conscientious and prudent exercise OF
their franchise that they are worthy
repositories of that supreme power
1.-THE people can now. at least send
TO the task of making the constltu-
! tion men who will be truly repre-
| sentative. men Of Independent mind
and character who will place the ma
tional interest above all personal, sec
tional or party interests
New Constitution Honest.
The Irish Independent says: "on
the whole the new constitution Is
democratic. conceived on statesman
like lines and with honesty and skill
The trainers have contrived to bring
| every interest into the service Of the
| nation.
, THE inordinately high taxation in
| eicted on our country under the Brit
| ish regime was due mainly 10 the
! cost of wars from which we derived
no benefit. Our position in respect
| to war is now quite clear. more def
| mite, indeed, than that of any of the
dominions under their constitutions
The Free State is recognized as ma
| tion with a distinct citizenship.