Evening star., 1922-01-08
De Valera'S Action and Bitter
Debates Rouse Mis-
givings.
THREE ALTERNATIVES SEE
Chaos and War With or Without
England or Orderly Constructive
Work Await.
By GEORGE n. BARNES,
British Parliament Leader.
By Cable to The Star.

By Cable to The Star.
LONDON, January THE news
from Ireland is both good and bad.
De Valera's maneuver of resignation
and subsequent withdrawal and the
bitter debates at Dublin during the
last half of the week have filled the
friends of Ireland in Great Britain
with misgivings. The question nat
urally has arisen:
Will Ireland accept the democratic
principle of a rule of the majority?
Or, will the island be torn with fac
tional warfare when the British
troops are removed?
1t is a lack of the spirit of demo-
cratic acceptance of majority rule
which is so disquieting. One OF the
speakers in the dali cream this
week expressed a view which ap-
peared to find pretty wide accept
ance. but which strikes at the root
of democratic government. He told
his fellow members of the dail that
they faced merely choice OF evils:
Either we are to have chaos ana
war with England" he said. "or: al
Tentatively. we are to have chaos
without war with British soldiers.
! favor ratification of the treaty only
because it will eliminate the SOL
diers"
De valera's message was but little
less significant.
Further Alternative OF Order.
But surely there is a further al
tentative. There is the alternative
of orderly constructive work with
out either chaos or war. And that
depends upon the majority and NIL
nority of the dali closing up their
ranks and showing what rational ma
a Do III.
ism unfortunately has not been con-
spicuous elsewhere in the new states
created by the war. The multiple
ity Of states has but multiplied the
irrationalities. Ireland mas the OPP
portunity of redeeming the new prac-
tice and principle of "self-determina-
tion" from something akin to con-
tempt
But Ireland is a country Of con-
trarieties. No one can predict lts 1u-
with any degree Of assurance. ! am In
clined to think, however. that self
interest and common sense would
bring Ulster into line if the Sim Fein
parliament got settled down TO prac-
tical work and also think that Sir
lanes Craig will enforce order in Bel
fast with a heavy hand as soon as he
gets the new authorities duly consti-
tuted.
the southwest has been law abiding
and inclined to peace. the northeast
has been haunted by evil doers. There
is further contrariness in situation
which shows the Sim Fein parliament
somewhat dicredited by windy ha-
rangues and emotional irrelevancies,
while Premier Craig at Belfast has
shown suavity and wisdom which
has been a revelation to many.
Dublin Is Center OF Gravity.
Dublin. however. has been the GEN.
ter of gravity for 1t is there that the
attitude and general psychology Of
Sim F'ein has been revealing itself.
Despite the fact that the adjournment
of the debate over the holidays result
ed IN ample evidence that the people
of Ireland desired acceptance of the
Downing street settlement. this pres
sure of public opinion apparently
weighed but little with the elected
persons at Dublin. who launched
themselves upon a fresh outburst Of
turbid talk, ending with De Valera's
declaration that he for one would
never be a British subject"
MIR. Lloyd George. in a firm. yet con-
ciliatory public statement. had made