The New York herald., 1922-02-20

Special Gable to THE New York HERALD.
Copyright, 1929, bv THE NEW York HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Dublin, Feb. 10.
The day brought forth a further split
in the ranks OF the Irish Republican
army ranks. eight men in the Clonmel
Barracks. County Tipperary signing a
proclamation even more bitter than that
OF Saturday Partly offsetting this dis
sention came the news that the mem
bers of the Irish Republican army who
recently were arrested in Ulster territory
while going to a football match would
be released tomorrow.
Authorities here still minimize the
split in the army ranks. but while this
is small, it unauestionably Is con-
certed movement. and will make the
waverers more bold. There still is no
indication of any plan of action on the
part OF the Provisional Government,
which is particularly handicapped By
not having direct authority over the
army, though having the responsibility
of maintaining order. Griffith and his
Cabinet. however, have the authority OF
the Dali Eireann, and they are working
on the finest terms with Michael Collins.
y
against the Irish treaty at the coming
general election will be made here Tues
day when the Sim Tein National Con-
vention, the Ard-Fheis. consisting of
some $500 delegates representing every
Sim Fein club in Ireland, will meet to
declare it's attitude in the altered poiti-
cal situation.
Whether the minutely organized and
hitherto all powerful Sim Fein electoral
machine shall be the chief moral prop of
the supporters or of the opponents OF
the treaty is. the issue, and there is a
general feeling the organization proba-
bly, will split in two nearly equal Sec
tions.
The fight will hinge on the resolution
to be introduced by Eamon de Valera
and the amendment extracting it's sting
which will be offered by Arthur Griffith.
De Valera endeavors to interpret the
Sim F'ein constitution in such a way as
to force the treaty supporters to intro
duce an amendment. AS a constitu-
tional amendment requires two-thirds
majority of the ArdFheis. neither side
is strong enough to accomplish 1t. de
Valera's resolution. therefore, simply
proposes that the Sim Fein organization
continue in adherence OF its aims as out
lined In 1917, and accordingly until in
ternational recognition Of Ireland's in
dependent republic has been secured. the
aim of the organization shall be as be-
fore, to secure this recognition"
Griffith has sidestepped this in his
amendment. affirming that Article III. Of
the Constitution fully justiiies support
of the treaty by providing that among
the purposes of the organization 1t shall
"deny the right and oppose the will of the
British Parliament, the British Crown
or any other foreign government to leg
isate for Ireland"
Acceptance Of the Grifith amendment
will mean the Sim F'eln will continue to
support the Dali Ereann. thereby aiding
in the effectuation of the Dails accept
ance OF the treaty. Griffith thus has n
slight advantage because the rejection of
his amendement will mean repudiation
Of the Dali which the Sim Fein organl-
zation elected II seems likely. there
fore. that the split in the organization
will be somewhat in the proportion or
The Dairs vote. when 6t favored the
treaty and So opposed.
The decision OF the Ard -Fheis, never
theless, will not be clear indication OF
the country's will, nor will IT be fatal 10
the party losing the decision.
How the country feels is difficult TO cs-
innate There is such curious m'Ature
here OF idealsm and materialism. Per-
sonalties. especially count. The people
who feed the pigs. milk tho cows, run
the stores and banlss and business enter
prises seem to be after achieving cer-
tain minimum OF legislative freedom,
and most Of all they desire peace.
The idealists on the other hand. think
the country must no, be satisfied with a
government unworthy of the Irish soul.
They therefore deprecata the treaty as
being likely to cause the human element
In the fight to subsde before n worthy
end has been achieved Between these
viewpoints Il is believed the country will