Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-02-21
RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY SENT TOPONT|AC
TOSUBDUE TEXTILE STRIKE SYMPATH|ZERS
sINN FEM CONVENTION
OPENS IN DUBLIN TODAY

Dublin, Feb. 20 (By the A. P).-The
hotels OF Dublin were crowded tonight
with delegates who tomorrow will attend
the opening of the Ard Fheis or National
Sim Fein, convention at Mansion House.
More than 2eoo delegates had arrived up
to a late hour this evening.
The convention is expected to have an
important bearing on the efforts Of
Eamonn De Valera and his followers to
prevent the treaty with the British gov
ernment from being carried into effect
Mr. De Valera, as president of the Sim
Fefn, will preside over the deliberations
of the gathering.
1t is expected tha tthe convention will
last only one day, as the executive COM
mittee of the party recommended that a
vote be taken tomorrow evening at 8
o'clock. 1t has been said that the num-
Der of speakers on each side of the ques-
! tion but the followers of Mr.. De Valera
possibly may disregard the recommenda.
ton
Elaborate arrangements have been
made for recording the vote but even if
the balloting takes place at 8 o'clock the
result may not be determined until II
| O'Clock Therefore it is considered pos
sible that the figures will not be available
until early Wednesday morning.
| The 1900 Dublin clubs have a right to
elect two delegates each, but notification
has been received that there will be a
| total nomination of $500 persons, of
whom it is expected 1900 actually will
attend the gathering.
| The issue to be determined by the del
egates is clearly recognized as being for
and against the treaty. Mr.. De Valera
| has given notice of a resolution that the
/ Sim Fein organization will continue to
adhere to the spirit and the letter of the
constitution adopted by the Ard Fheis in
| 1917 and that accordingly, until inter-
national recognition of ireland as an in
! dependent republic has been secured, the
aim Of the organization shall be, as be-
fore, to secure that recognition
| Estimates concerning the result of the
balloting are conflicting, although the
| they are confident of receiving a clear
majority.
At an executive council arranged for
the Ard Fheis Mr.. De Valera today made
| evident his determination to construe the
| Irish constitution in its strictest sense
1t undoubtedly is his view that accept
| ance of the treaty wvuld be a departure
| from the constitution and that the Arc
Fheis cannot depart from the constitu-
ton except by a. two-thtrds majority
1t was conceded tonight that a two.
| thirds majority cannot be obtained There
is much interesting speculation CONCERN
ing the line Mr.. De Valera, as president
of the assembly. may take ON the effect
of the resolutions. The meeting will de-
| termine whether the republicans or tht
adherents of the Free State shall contro
the PARTY machine which is an important
consideration in view of the Forthcoming
! elections.
Control of funds would follow contro
of the organization. The funds in ques
| tton, however, would not mean the wal
| chest of the Sim Fem movement, but
merely the working capital of the party
organization. These funds. it is believed
do not amount to more than pounds -ster
ling 500.