Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-12

AAsshASAbktSlys ~ wan d0IUDVIU15U
officially today that the first con-
ttngent comprising nearly 800 of
the auxlltaT4es would leave Dublin
tomorrow for England.
Dublin, Jan. 12.-(By the Aszsoci-
ated Press. LEADERS Of the Sim Fein
faction opposing the peace treaty have
been summoned for today by Eamon
de Valera, deposed president of the
situation growing out of ratification of
the treaty. Meanwhile Arthur Grif-
fifth, the new. president. has started
the machinery of his provisional gov
ernment, one Of his first acts being to
summon the south Ireland parlia ment
for meeting on Saturday for the
purpose OF formally passing upon the
treaty. This formal ratification is
specifically provided for in the pact.
Will Ignore Meeting.
Mr. de Valera has stated that he
will ignore the meeting on Saturday
and believes his followers will do
likewise. The supporters of Mr..
Griffith believe that this insures unani-
mcus approval Of the treaty by the
remaining members with the added
votes Of the four unionist members for
Dublin university.
The British authorities have began
and announcement OF the release Of
Irish political prisoners is expected at
any time. In addition, preparations
for the withdrawal of British military
forces are understood to be going for
ward. All these developments are
construed as strengthening the posi-
ton of the new Irish government.
Eireann's foreign department last
night that no official delegation from
Ireland would attend the, Irish race
convention in Paris. a..s----,a.
! -t-~t., -. Amnesty Granted. 4
London. Jan. 12.--(By the Associ-
ated Press. king George has grant
ed general amnesty '.in respect to
political offenses committed in Ire
land prior to the operation Of the
truce last July" 1t was announced to-
day. The release Of the prisoners will
begin at once.
Text of Proclamation.
The text of the proclamation which
was issued by Winston Churchill,
secretary of the colonies. reads:
'The king has been pleased. at the
moment when the provisional Irish
government is due to take Office to
grant general amnesty with respect to
all ofrenses committed in Ireland from
political motives prior to the oper-
alton of the truce. July IL last.
! "The release of the prisoners to
:; which amnesty applies. will begin
| forthwith. It is the kings confident
f; hope that this act of oblivion will aid
in powerfully establishing relations OF
friendship and good win between the
! peoples Of Great Britain and Ireland.
! Figures given out in Dublin last
night. in anticipation of the amnesty
! proclamation, showed that 1,010 per
! sons. who probably would come under
the classification of political prison
ers, were still in confinement. This
! number includes 20 persons charged
with murder. 121 with attempted
| murder, 47S with possessing arms. and
! 22e with crimes of violence. the
others being held on minor charges
A few Sim Feing prisoners are under
sentence of death. these. according tt
recent Belfast advices. including the
16 men in Jail whose execution has
been set for the latter part OF Janu-
ary.
The men under confine nement in the
Irish internment camps were released
| in December.