Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-13
Call For Convention
 Of Sim Fein Fen. !
Issued by Executive Board to
 Decide Between the Differ
 ing Policies in Organization

Dublin, Jan. 12 (By the A. P).-Ihs kings proclamation of amnesty, an- nouncement of the departure of the aux ilaries and :. the resolution of the Sim Fein executive council to summon an ex- traordinary convention for Feb. to de- eide upon the future of the organization and it's policy, after Eamr z De Valera had predicted a split in the organization, were the chief developments in the Irish situation today.
 Behind the Dali Eireann stands the Sim Fein organization of nearly 1,500 clubs from every district in Ireland. It is responsible for the success of parliament tary and other elections and is regarded as the authentic popular voice by all Sim Feiners. De Valera is still it's pres ident and all it's machinery heretofore has been d'eected exclusively toward in- dependent republican aims.
 The morning session of the executive body of the Sim Fein was devoted to the election of a standing committee which meets in Dublin for all routine work of organizing. The election did not follow strict party lines but it's membership wiz be canvassed throughout the country t6- morrow to ascertain whether it's infiu- ence win be used for or against the sup porters of the treaty.
 
 tion, recognizing at the outset that with in the organization there were two op- posing forces, for and against the treaty. ! His idea was to secure a sort of tempo rary working arrangement as a basis for supporting the Dali cabinet while that i body was acting in it's capacity as au- ! thoriZed by the republican government. Ire expressed the hope that .here would l he no bitterness and leave the matter 10 i the executive to debate.
 1 The executive, through the numerous | delegates, declared that the final decision regarding the future of the organization must rest with the voice of the people and it was proposed and carried that the whole question should be discussed, not by the executive body merely, but by q general convention composed of S,OOt l delegates, to be held in the Mansion House on Feb. '.
 Mr. De Valera was pressed to admit that when the convention had decided th' minority would be bound by the majorit, | but he declared it was his opinion that | division was inevitable and that each sid would fight the other at the election for free state. If the organization favoret the election of a representative to a ire scate he would not continue to be presi dent and would oppose such candidates | dtslNIlf of himself and his friends would begi 1 Immediately.
 In the next fortnight in every part c Ireland and in every Sim Fein club a
 animated deha.-e will be carried on fc and against the treaty. Since the club must meet specially for the purpose ( electing delegates 10 the convention thi
 will be the nearest approach to a refer
 endum of the entire Sim Fein element
 the population that is practicable in tn
 present circumstances.
 The transfer of the functions of tr
 various departments of Dublin Casu } which is expected immediately after rat f1cation by the southern parliament c l Saturday will probably be effected witt out the presence of Sir Hamar Greer | wood, chief secretary for Ireland, wi ) will likely remain in London. Jam, t MacMahon. the under-secretary. who the absence of the chief secretary is Il t principal executive authority, will prob; I l bly, make the actual transfer.
 The amnesty proclamation occupies T prominent position in the Dublin pape
 and has been the cause of great satisfa
 ton. It had been feared that attemp l. might be made to discriminate betwe. V one political prisoner and another. b { the sweeping character of the amnes r allays such apprehension
 n Only one difficulty remains. At o d stage there were incendiary fires and di e turbances in England for which aIleg
 Sim Feiners were convicted. Amnes
 does not include them. It is understo
 that their case will remain over for d
 cussion between the British governme s and the government of the new =
 state. With reference to offenses col . mtted since the true, the free state go 1t i ernment will have complete power to de t with all such cases Tn due course.