The New York herald., 1922-05-25
Griffith in London Will
Blame old Ascendancy'
for Belfast Pogroms.
BRITISH DIsTRUsT PLANS
Grave Issue Raised by Collins
Speech, Which Is Called
Defiant.

Special Gable to THE New York. HnaALp
Copyright, 1922, Dy THE NEW YoRK HrnALp
New York Herald Bureau.
Dublin, May "a.
Michael Collins. lead of the pro-
vincial Government, discussing the
speech made yesterday by Sir James
Craig. Premier of Ulster, to the north
ern Parliament, regarding the South
Ireland coalition Ministry and the
frontier question, declared emphati-
cally that tie treaty was between
Great Britain and Ireland, and it was
not Sir James Craig's business to in
terpret 1t.
II can understand Craig's chagrin
and disappointment" Collins told THE
New York HERALD correspondent. His
desire is to split the south. Let us
remember, however, that all his vio-
lent protestations must be read in the
light Of the fact that the treaty has
been entered into between Great Brit
ain and Ireland and the Interpretation
of any Of it's clauses does not rest with
him"
1t Is stated here that the extent to
which England is backing listers
| violent protestations" is likely to be
seriously discussed at the approaching
London conference of Irish leaders and
the British Cabinet. Arthur Griffith has
been detained in Dublin owing to nego-
tiations for an army settlement, but
it is expected he will start for London
Tomorrow, accompanied by Z. ]. Dug
cvuv fnt1 ~ Hp~t.< 1..I
Hugh Kennedy, his legal adviser Col
Inns will go later II it is required.
The Irish Cabinet to-day discussed
the Collins-De Valera agreement and
Is preparing to meet any possible OBJ
jections to 1t by the British. AS the re-
suit of Premier Craig's utterances, 1t is
regarded here that new policy for
dealing with the Northeast countries
must be evolved.
Points Decided.
The republicans will have a voice In
forming this policy. which will be based
on the following points advanced by the
leaders:
First. that the large and influential
element in Belfast Is entirely opposed
to the present poaroms.
Second. that at present members Of
the ''old ascendancy" have control and
that they seek TO retain their control
and influential positions by getting the
parties of the south to fight among
themselves so England can come back
and restore peace and they can return
to the old ascendancy.
Third. that the reactionary clique In
England also desires to retain the as
cendancy and keep their sons in soft
berths so as to maintain their estates
intact.
Fourth, that the anti-pogrom move
ment must be assisted so as to GUST
the old ascendancy and give peaceful
citizens a chance to restore order in
their country.
LONDON, May "a (Associated Press). -
The pact between Michael Collins and
Eamon de Valera, which was viewed
outset, owing to the iatter's avowed un-
compromising hostility to the Anglo
Irish treaty and the proposed constitu-
tion, Is now regarded with increased
suspicion in consequent of Collins
address before the Ard Fheis yesterday.
tColl.ns said. "If, as has been said,
this agreement iriperils the AngIo-Ire-
land treaty, we will have to face that
In this manner. We have made an agree
ment which will bring stable conditions
to the country, and II these stable con-
/
other agreement, then we must face
what these stable conditions will enable
us to facet
This Is generally Interpreted here as
defiance of Great Britain. The Dublin
correspondent Of the Ddiiy Telegraph
predicts that Great Britain will be con-
fronted at the earliest possible moment
with a demand from the whole forces
of the Dali Eireann for Acknowledgement
Of Ireland as an Independent Republic.
owing no allegiance to the Empire and
embracing not only the twenty-six coun-
ties, bu. the whole OF Ireland"
The Morning POSTS correspondent saws
the statement means that IF Great
Britain objects to the pact on the
ground that 1t violates the treaty, then
Great Britain can go to the devil and
take the treaty with it,
Cabinet Discusses Situation.
The British Cabinet, II is said. regards
the situation as very grave, and its COM
mlttee on Ireland met last night to dis
cuss the position, with Prime Minister
Lloyd George presiding. Secretary for
the Colonies Churchill. Austen Chamber
lain. Lord Chancellor Birkenhead, Sir
Laming Worthin gton- Evans. Secretary
for War. and Sir Hamar Greenwood,
Chief Secretary for Ireland. were in at
tendance. and Gen. Sir Nevil McCready,
military commander of Ireland, and
others were consulted during the meet
ing.
II Is noteworthy that the only London
newspapers TO comment on the meeting
OF the Ard Fheis are the Liberal ones,
which have been the strongest advocates
OF Irish self-government. The DAILY
News fears that the proceedings will not
- -
and adds:
',If the agreement lmperils the treaty,
as said by Collins, we must face the sit
uation. The danger is that lest in i'm
periling the treaty and facing the situa-
tion the Southern leaders also find them
selves faced with the possibility OF fresh
English Intervention. which would lead
to hopeless disaster. The position is one
Of great increasing gravity"
WING THE ARMY,