New-York tribune., 1922-12-05
King to Sign Constitution
and Cosgrave Will Be
Elected First President
After Age Old Fight
Rebel Coup Feared
AS Dali Adjourns
Government Sure of Quo
rum, Though Some Men,
bers May Balk at Oath
By Arthur S. Draper
speelal cabi. 70 The Tribuus

Spcctai Cabs 20 The Trihuns
Copyright. 1922. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON. Dec. d.-Tho Irish Free
state-the ideal Of Arthur Grifith and
the majority Of his eountrymen-comes
into being tomorrow. when the King
gives his royal assent TO the Irish Con-
stitutlon. The bill passed the FINAL
reading In the House Of Lords to-day.
Just a year ago there was great re-
joieing on both sides Of the Irish Sea
over the signing Of the Anglo-lrlsh
Treaty. which most persons regarded
as the climax 20 the eentury-lonR
struggle for Irish independence but
during the last twelve months civil
wars have ragged IN Ireland with almost
as great intensity, bitterness and ha-
ed asfeharaeterized those fought be-
tween the Irish and British two years
before.
Many Rumors In Dublin
william cosgrave. who viii be elected
President, Is not likely 10 boast that
he has the murder gang by the throat" "
as did Lloyd George In an unfortunate
moment two years ago.
After a brief session to-day the Dali
adjourned unexpectedly until Wednes-
day. Dublin tonight Is full Of rumors
Of an impending republican coup, and
the adjournment may indicate fear on
The governments part Of serious dis
order tomorrow. Special precautions
were taken AZ to-day's meeting Of the
Dali. the public galleries being closed.
With the responsible heads Of the
country compelled 10 work behind
bnrbed wire projections, and leaders Of
the republican movement issuing con-
-tant threats Of reprisals, the best that
can be said for Ireland to-day Is that
those who believe In con1ttutionel
methods are hopeful that ultimately
the new government win be able to
establish a regime OF law and order
and peace.
The first business under the new
order will bo the appointment BY Cos
| grove Of the ministers who will form
/ his Cabinet, and Il Is expected that he
will select for these places his present
associates. Within a short time fe
/ Senate must be elected, but for the
present members Of the Dali viii sim
ply take the oath Of allegiance and so
become members Of the new chamber.
Naturally republican mem5ers, and
possibly some others, will balk at tax
ing the oath. but the government feels
certain Of securing q quorum.
Unfortunately for Cosgrave,. his I'M
l.. ian ~
publieans, who under the leadership OF
/ canon de Valera still are sufficiently
powerful 10 block most Of the govern
ment's program for the development oil
Ireland. The 20 icy Of stern renres-
sion adopted by Cosgraye and enforced
/ By Muleahy has been partl successful,
but members Of the government would
he the last 10 claim that the irregulars
are no longer a serious menace.
Republicans Grow Weaker
Through imprisonments, shootings in
the field and executions the repuD-
licans have lost many Of their strong
est leaders. and they ara not nearly as
powerful as they were three months
ago. The most hopeful sign to-day is
that the mass Of the people consider
De Valera's policy as tyrannous and
destructive. The majority Of lrishmen
want what President Harding called
"normalcy."
Al one stage during the last years
negotiations between the late Michael
Collins and Premier Craig, Of Ulster,
took on an encouraging appearance, but
since then the north and south Of Ire
land have engaged IN bitter struggle,
and to-day the greatest optimist can
see but little hope Of union between
them. On the other hand, there Is q
reasonable prospect that the two
groups will leave each other alone. and
that the boundary difference between
them will be settled amic'b'v
SO far as England Is concerned, the
Cosgrave government offers no cause
for complaint.
LONDON, Dee. 4 (By The Associated
Press).-The Marquis OF Lansdowne.
speaking on the third and final reading
OF the Irish constitution bill to-day,
said that, although he considered the
bill n very unsatisfactory measure and
enc that filled him with the greatest
anxiety for the people. yet any attempt
20 modify It's provisions would be
wholly futile.
Viseount Haldane, who defended the
bill, said Il really meant the settle
ment Of a bloody war In which Great
Britain had been engaged against Ire
land. There had been no alternative
(csnuavsd o. nsS, psss)