The New York herald., 1922-01-10
Making Way for the Free State.

Making Way for the Free State.
The resignation of Mr.. DE VALERA
and the defeat of his attempt to be
reelected President Of the Irish Re-
public will make easier the birth of
the Irish Free State. The Dali
Eireann, which now has twice re-
fused to follow De VALERA, is the
nucleus Of the provisional govern
ment which mnst begin the great
labors of setting up the machinery
of new State. The beaten Presi-
dent will not have an opportunity to
fight progress from the inside.
Considering the history OF the cam
paign which last Saturday resulted
In the ratification of the treaty Mr..
DE VALERAs latest phrases Of dissent
sound strange. He contends that the
Irish republic must exist until the
Irish people, at an election, disestab-
hsh it. This is as much as saying
that the Dali Eireann-the Parlia-
ment Of the republic-had no power
to accept the treaty which replaces
an unrecognized republic with a rec
ognized Free State. Yet nothing in
De vAIERA's correspondence with
LLOYD GEORGE preliminary to the
London conference suggests lack Of
absolute power In the Dali.
| Mr.. DE VALERA says he resigned be-
cause the republic was subverted
But it was he who accepted the Brit
ish Premier's invitation to confer
ence from which all possibility Of
recognizing q republic had been ex-
pressly eliminated; it was he who
told BoLAND to prepare American
friends to accept something less than
a republic; and his own alternative
or compromise treaty did not contain
the word republic"
The former President, whose intel
lectual qualities could have carried
him to usefulness and dignity in the
Free State IL he had taken defeat
gracefully, is no longer an impos-
ing figure. The Dali, among whose
members he undoubtedly was long
held in affection. has repudiated him:
and it is quite certain that IL he
could carry his case to the general
elections he would be defeated.
Scarcely anybody on either side Of
In La1 no
Ireland will support De VALERA and
his fellow dissenters. Whether they
can hinder COLLINS and GRIFFITH and
the majority of the Dali in the set
ting up of the provisional govern
ment is the only matter OF concern
just now. The irreconcilables talk Of
war. But war In Ireland from now
on would not be like war in the past.
Up to the time Of the treaty war in
ireland meant war between the Irish
and outsiders. But in future the
Irlshman who makes war must make
1t against Irish. An Irishman who
binders the establishment of the pro-
visiona, government Of the Free
State hinders a body actually COM
posed OF Sim Fein Members of Par
lament.
Fortunately for the success Of the
new State it will be impossible for
the discontented element to make
mischief inside the provisional gov
ernment. 1t is provided in the treaty
that every member OF that govern
meut shall have signffied in writing
his or her acceptance of the treaty.
War, IL it is made, must be made
from without.
1t is unlikely. though, that the ex.
tremists will receive enough support
from the Irish people to keep them
going after the first framework of
the Free state is nailed together. II
is inconceivable that the Irish will
listen to men who demand the over
throw of a government controlled by
GRIFFITH, Collins and other proved
patriots. II is inconceivable that the
Irish should reject self-government,
peace and prosperity for an alterna-
tive which means nothing but war.
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