The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-15


i followers will prove fruitless and futile in
preventing the establishment of the Irish Free
State, under the terms of the settlement reached
London and approved by the Dali Eireann. The
CONSERVATION expressed in some quarters at Mr..
De Valeras unyielding attitude, evidenced in pre-
dictions that he and his followers certain to stir
up great deal of trouble in Ireland is unfounded.
Fears that the deposed Irish leader may organize
a military force, made up largely of men drawn
from the Irish republican army, and will civil
war in ireland in attempt to force republic,
will be proved without foundation 1t is reason
able to assert that Mr.. De Valera will carry his
case to the people. His proclamation before the
vote was taken on the settlement indicates such a
course as probable. But he will meet cold recep-
ton. Instead of gaining strength for his republ-
can cause, in appealing to the people to back him
in conflict, Mr.. De Valera and his party will lose
strength Mr.. De Valera is about to experience
rude shock; he is destined to learn soon, how
it feels to be deposed he is soon, to meet the in
difference, the ennui of men and women beseeched
to espouse and sacrifice for definitely lost cause.
In voting to approve the Irish settlement by
division of 81 to 81, in refusing re-eect Mr.. De
Valera by vote OF 90 to s., in electing Arthur
Griffith as the Irish chief and approving his
cabinet with Michael Collins, Mulcahy, Duggan
and Cosgrove members, the Dali Eireann has
the victories won by small majorities is not
greatly significant, for the followers of De Valera
were an unfair percentage OF the Dali. They con-
stituted nearly half of the Dali, but they had the
support of less than one-tenth Of the people, and
they knew it. Now. that the great decision has
been made, the extremist element will be surprised
at it's melting strength, at its lack OF numbers.
When the Dali re-assembles February I4-if it
does-the De Valera band will come close to being
lonely voice and nothing more.
Mr.. Grifith's next step, technically, is to call
the Southern Parliament together and ratfy the
settlement, called for in the terms of the settle
ment itself AS the Southern Parliament contains
four Unionist members from Trinity College who
committed to the settlement, in addition to the
members of the Dali, ratification in that body will
be easier than approval in the Dali. Then
will come the setting-up of the provisional govern
ment-the organization Of nation. 1t will be
large task for Mr.. Griffith and his associates but
full Of interest, hope and happy satisfaction.
1t has been frequently stated that Mr.. De
Valera's following will develop into minority
republican party, with Mr.. De Valera leading
it and continuing to demand an Irish republic.
Perhaps, at first, such may prove the case. But
party with that platform and program is
doomed to be temporary. Aside from the fact
that party having for its object the dcstruc-
ton of the fundamental basis of the state would
be seditious and revolutionary, such party in
ireland, would, after short time, get little back
ing. ireland will soon be convinced of the SUBJ
stantal nature OF her freedom and will give no
heed to those counseng basic political changes,
agitstng troubles. Besides, when the govern
ment of the Irish Free State begins to operate in an
orderly manner, there will be found more natural
divisions of parties than Free Ststers and repub-
cans. Party divisions will be likely to take
economic lines. There will probably be labor
party; perhaps there will be an agricultural party
II Mr. De Valera persists for two or three years in
his advocacy of a republic, thinly associated in a
vague, external way with the British. common
wealth of nations, he will find himself hopelessly
Cut of date.