The New York herald., 1922-03-23


Copyright, 1922, by THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Dublin, March 22
A definite split in the Irish Republi
can army apparently will take place
Sunday. Four or five hundred dele
gates, representing about so per cent
of the army are expected to meet and
10 withdraw from support of the Dali
Eireann and TO reestablish the old
volunteers and a military executive. |
Commandant Roderick O'Connor inti-
mated this step in an interview with
representatives of the press to-day on
behalf of the sponsors for sthe con-
vcntion, which was prohibited by
Arthur Griffith, President of the Dali.
The soldiers contend. according to
O'Connor. that they are loyal to, the
Irish Republic and that the issue is
solely whether they Shall or shall not
continue the struggle until they COM
pleteiy sever connection with England.
They admit their position partakes.
both of the nature of the prosecutor
and of the judge-that they wish to[
work for the people. at the same time
deciding what is good for them. They \
justify themselves by insisting that
the Irish people are being stampeded
into the Free State.t@ N .sY.sfg 4
Say Griffith Broke ttere emert.
A manifesto dated SMarch 81, issued
tonight, declares that Arthur Griffith's
prohibition of the convention had broken
the agreement to hold a convention
reached unanimously by the army COM
manders, and therefore those under
signed called the convention TO convene
on March IS, as originally planned. The
signatories included four members OF
the General Headquarters Staff and five
divisional commanders among a total
OF fifty-three high officers.
Richard Muicany, Minister OF Defense,
said that of the nineteen separate COM
mands-namely. fourteen kivisions and
five undvisionalizcd brssdes, the sig
natories included only five divisional
commanders and two commanders OF in
dependent brigades.
Eamon de Valera clarified his posi-
tion regarding the recent report OF his
references to civil war by writing let
ter to the Irish Independent, in which
he complained of the "villainous' mis-
representation in its editorials. In deal
ing with his attitude he said My argu-
ment was in answer to those who said
that the London agreement gave us
freedom to achieve freedom / showed
that instead OF opening the way i'll
erected in the nations path two almost
fnapassable barriers. one. the nations
own pledged word. and two, native
government bound to act in accordance
with and secure even by force, respect
for that pledged word.
The constitutional way was barred
hv the horror of civil war. The Irish
volunteers OF the future, If they pcrse-
vered in the cause OF independence,
would have to fight not tho alien Eng
lIsh Government merely but native
Irish Government Not English troops
hut Irish troops, the forces of their own
Government their own fellow country
men. This is the barrier OF Irish flesh
and blood which those who advocate ac-
ceptancc, so called, would erect. Even
while they shouted it would bring death
to the receding freedom.
May Defer Election.
III the convention functions as It's sup
porters expect the army will become an
Independent body and conduct its own
campaign taking any measure the eN-
ecutive believes necessary for the pres
ervation OF the republic" X is thought
the army may defer the ballot on the
Free State treaty until the allegcGly
faulty registration is corrected
Replying to questions regarding the
Reputation of the Dali O'Conno- ex-
nlained that the army existed before
the Dali and submitted itself 10 tie
Dairs authority TO simplify the whole
national movement. This action had
been rendered irregular, as some conf
panies took the oath first TO support
the republic and second 10 support the
Government OF the republic. the oath
defining the Government at the Dail
lcreann. AS the army existed before
The Dali, explained OConnor, Il should
not now be led astray from Us ideal
or the independent republic by the men
who. the Republicans charge. committed
an act OF national dishonor Ia voting
Tor the Irish Free State treaty.
Commandant OConnor agreed that IN
army executive would he virtually mil
itary dictatorship lie recognized that
the convention would be Illegal lie
knows that the army viii have 10 ac-
qlire It's equipment and support III All
Illegal manner But he thought the
preservation Of the ideal Of republic
would justify these conditions until the
republic was functionlnr and recognized
by foreign governments.
wiz Wait for Attack.
This position Il JUS, where Mi. Grif-
nth wished TO place the army convention