The New York herald., 1922-01-10
DE VALERA ACCEPTS
DEFEAT IN GOOD SPIRIT
Says Talk of Fratricidal Strife
Is Nonsense.


DUBLIN, Jan (Associated Press) -
Ireland tonight Is without a Govern
ment Of its own. Eamon de Valera re-
signed from the Presidency and made 1t
clear that all the members Of his Min
istry. whether they voted for or against
the treaty, went out of office with him.
! Lest there should be any doubt. William
| Cosgrave, Minister of Local Govern
ment, who daily he said. was sending
out letters from his department to Irish
public bodies. asked II all that was to
stop. De Valera replied that 1t must
stop until the successors Of the formers
Ministers were appointed,
The vote on De valera's reelection was
| doubtful until the figures were an
nounced. The London delegates. who
signed the treaty. were divided, four OF
them voting against De Valera and one
Robert c. Barton, In his favor Mr.. De
Valera himself refrained from voting,
while Liam Roisite, member for Cork
| city, when his name was called, said he
would not take the responsibility OF
plunging Ireland into fratricidal strife.
A noteworthy feature Of Mr.. Valera s
later statement was that talk OF
| fractricidal strife was all nonsense: the
| Irish people would know how to conduct
| themselves.
The course to whcih the former Presi-
! dent. after his defeat, urged his oppo-
nents was to appoint President In his
place and let that President appoint his
| own Ministers. He accepted defeat In
good spirit and pledged his support to
the new Government so long as 1t was
| kh2 To ~ NJ
| dependence. He explained that his
reasons for asserting to a motion for
his reelection were the same as for De.
| clining to go to London on the delega-
ton. his idea being to keep a reserve
power In the interests of the Irish Re
public behind the men in contact with
the British Minister'S
De yalera's declaration of willingness
to stand behind the new Government, II
| such action entailed no sacrifice OF
principle, and his further statement
that he and his associates were ready to
back the new Government II it should
require support against any outside
enemy were loudly cheered
Ratifying Body Needed.
Mr.. Collins introduced motion to
authorize Arthur Griffith to form pro-
visional Government. He apparently
thought they could summon a ratifying
body Of members for southern Ireland,
| including the four members represent
ing Trinity College. They could call 1t
the Dali Eireann until somebody know
| ing Irish well could find better name
| for IL. This was Immediately countered
with the reminder that the Trinity Col
| lege members would not take the Repub-
| lican oath.
Finally John J. O'Kelly, Minister of
Education( argued that Mr.. Collins
motion was out Of order because no no.
! tice had been given. The Speaker sus-
tained the argument but pointed out
that all the proceedings to-day were
\ similarly out Of order and could only be
carried on by consent Adjournment
until tomorrow morning was moved and
Mr.. Collins said he would hand in notice
of his motion.
In the debate preceding the vote
Austin Stack, Minister Of Home Affairs
supported the reelection of De Valera.
The republic was established by the peo-
ples will and must have a President
and Executive. He thought De Valera's
policy was the only policy.
In his opinion Eamon de Valera wal
perhaps the biggest man In Europe to-
day; he was ready to commit suicide II
De Valera left office. The referendum
Of the people must be the peoples free
choice between the republic and the
treaty. Michael Collins opposed re-
election. II the motion was carried he
would go down to South Cork and say
he could bring things no further and let
them elect a representative who would
carry Ireland along If the provisional
Executive was allowed to operate. he
and his colleagues would take the re-
sponsibility Of 1t. Mr.. de Valera, II
elected. would be in an impossible posi-
tion.
Charles Burgess, Minister of Defense
supported the reelection of De Valera
He repeated his challenge of the state
ment that Collins had won the war and
added that the men responsible for
bringing Ireland to the invincible posi-
tion which 1t occupied before the treaty
were men whose names would not bt
recognized If he mentioned them.
They could not trust English states.
men, said the Minister. Could the dele.
gates trust English statesmen? Coult
the delegates trust Lloyd George?
Mr.. Collins asked: 'Ts It not better
anyway to have a signed check than ar
unsigned check?"
But the money may not be in tn,
bank" retored Burgess.
Anyhow" said Collins. "the peopl,
would prefer the signed check"
Mr.. Burgess continued. saying tha
their policy was to preserve the Dali
They were not going to cooperate will
the treaty men, but were not going {,
obstruct them. De Valera was indis
pensable.
} "If De Valera had not been Presi
dent" he inquired laconically. "who OF
earth could have kept Arthur Griffith
. Michael Collins and myself together p
(Laughter). II wish that we could b,
brought together again."
Collins. why not?'
Burgess. But not until Saturday
work is undone."
When Burgess sat down Mr.. d
Valera Jumped up and said "No on,
man. no group OF men, can deliver owe
the Irish nation to anybody"
Various other speakers took turns II
; favoring or opposing the motion. ant
when Pierce Beasley OF Kerry arose &
oppose reelection there we're loud erie
OF Vote Vote T.
The desire of Mr.. De Valera's sup
porters evidently was to hurry the de
cision. Mr.. Beasley paid no attention
to this. but proceeded TO say that tn
election of De Valera simply meant OBJ
struction and the wrecking or the treaty
7 De valera--Do you think / wou
take Office and permit that to be done?
Nc I,oaaIoty oxprnoood Tho koilof bo