The New York herald., 1922-02-22
.SINN FEIN AVERTS
IMMEDIATE SPLIT
Convention Adjourns Until
To-day, Asking Leaders 10
Get Together.
UNITY SUPREME De- IRE
Both Collins and De Valera
Willing to Submit Treaty
to People.
UNITY SUPREME DE'IRE

Special Cable to THE NEW YoxK HHsAtp.
Copyright, 1899. BY THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Dublin Feb 81.
Appeals to the rival elements of
Sim Fein to remember that Ireland
comes first, made to-day with deep
nual convention of delegates from all
the Sim Fein clubs--have almost sue
ceeded In preventing the threatened
split between the Republicans and the
provisionalists.
This was accepted as a happy aug
ury, for Michael Collins, head of the
provisional Government, had revealed
that he had spent several hours with
canon de Valera yesterday attempt
ing to reach a compromise but had
failed. De Valera also admitted the
failure Of this attempt, and came to
the Ard Fheis to-day believing that a
split was inevitable. In his morning
speech he declared IL would be better
for Ireland to have two armies, each
ready to assist the other IL the coun-
try was imperiled. than one army d.
vided within itself.
In adopting a resolution to adjourn
until tomorrow morning the Ard Fvheis
Incorporated In the motion definite
request that the rival leaders meet in
the meantime and reach an understand
ing whereby the organization would re-
main intact, at least temporarily. and the
nation could present a united front to
England. At the time OF adjournment
tonight the demand for unity was SUI
preme.
De Valera objected to holding the
coming election on the Issue of the Lon
don treaty before constitution was
drafted and said that IL Arthur Grif-
fifth and Collins would guarantee 60 hold
no election for three months he, on be-
half OF his followers, would agree not to
raise any obstructions to the working Of
the provisional Government except where
principles were concerned. and promised
that IL his party defeated Griffith and
Collins in the Dali Eireann the treaty
would nevertheless be submitted to the
country.
Collins and Griffith expressed their
willingness TO give assurances to do
their utmost to defer the election until
constitution was drafted. provided De
Valera's minority in the Dali Eireann
would guarantee not to attempt to over
throw the Government In the meantime.
AZ the time OF adjournment II was in
creasingly evident that despite the ef-
forts of we'll lntentioned disrupters, the
divergence between the two parties was
narrowing and there was strong hope
that the morning would see an agree
ment.
Efforts for Union Won.
Tonight the newsboys are selling ex-
tras announcing the avoidance OF a split
This was most unusual thing for Dub
lin, but the occasion justified II. Ire
lands enemies believed that when out
ward opposition was taken away Ireland
would fall apart. For a time II seemed
that this was inevitable. but Irish lead
ers. including Collins. strove nightly for
union and now they have about sue
ceeded in preventing a disruption.
De Valera opened the discussion by
claiming that the newspapers did not
always represent the facts and urging
the delegates to keen open minds. Then
he recalled the purpose OF the Sim
F'ein. praising the rule that two
thirds vote was Required 10 change the
constitution and lafnentinr tho fact