New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-10
Republicans Confident as
Election for Members of
Parliament to Meet Ar
ter July l Draws Near
90 Seats To Be Contested
Griffith Conference To-day
With British Cabinet
May Influence Situation
By Arthur s. Draper
EpsoioI cobie 70 The Tribune

establishment or normal CONDITIONS
along the Ulster frontier. ! talked
with a half dozen Irishmen to-day on
the general conditions in Ireland, and
more particularly on the subject Of the
approaching elections, and the nego-
tiations going on in London. let US
20 on with these matters" was the
unanimous declaration.
Great preparations are being made
for the elections next Friday, In which
about 1877 candidates will contest nine
ty seats in the new constituent assem-
bly, scheduled 10 meet in Dublin on
July 1. With all the interest mani
tested in this event, the average Irish
man is not nearly so much concerned
over il as he is with the restoration OF
business 10 a sound basis
II would be wrong TO describe condi-
tions in the South Of Ireland as de-
pressing, but only the most optimistic
could discover any evidence OF buoy
ancy. There is no need TO disguise the
fact that the people are discouraged, II
not disheartened. After the acceptance
Of the treaty by the Dali last winter
they expected an early return to nor
nal conditions, and they have been dis
appointed. The Collins-de Valera pact
was at first hailed as a good omen by
the majority. because II reconciled two
widely divergent forces, but now they
are beginning TO see that in establish
ing peace N the South Of lreIsnd they
have dealt a serious blow TO Anglo
Irish relations.
Griffith TO Meet British
Arthur Griffith will hold a profound
~ important conference with the Brit
ish tomorrow, and upon the outcome
will depend the course Of events for
many months 70 come. II Premier
LLOYD George forces Arthur Griffith 20
lean too far toward his own viewpoint
the president Of the Dali viii have an
happy role to III when he returns TO
Ireland.
According 10 the Representations Of
some political experts, from four TO six
labor members will be elected next Fri
day, and several are downright repub-
LEANS. These experts also estimate
that about one-third OF the members
OF the new Parliament will be republic
cans. There seems TO be no question
that a majority Of the Irish republican
army favors a republican form OF gov
eminent.
II these statements are 20 be accept
ed, IL Is obvious that an unhappy situa-
tion will develop after the election I'M
/ less the British government taxes an
extremely moderate position in It's final
negotiations with Griffith. Few Irish
men desire TO see British troops march
ing about the country again, and few
Englishmen want 20 interfere again in
a military way with the affairs OF Ire
land.
Il is not the treaty but the Collins
De Valera pact that seems 20 be the
crucial issue under discussion in Lon
don, and IL that pact is broken Irish
men generally fear that q sort Of civil
war will break out and cover a large
part Of the country.
Collins and De Valera Speak
Collins and De Valera both spoke
from the same platform tonight in
support OF the candidates who have
their combined Endorsement for cleo
tion from Dublin County. These two
leaders seem 10 be working in close
harmony for the moment, and there is
no question that the greater COM
promise has been made on the part OF
Collins.
II the attack on Pettigo was intend
cd Is n demonstration on the part OF
the British that the government meant
/ business. the plan has miscarried. In
| Dublin even those outside Sim Fein
circles are inclined 20 laugh at the at
tack and refer 20 IL as a sham battle.
The real trouble in Ulster ccnters in
Belfast rather than along the border,
| and developments there have created
the NEST intense bitterness in the
south Of ireland, where II is felt that
the crown forces should give better
protection 10 the Catholic population.
Intercourse between the north and
south OF Ireland wholly az a stand
still. Since there is no exchange OF
goods between the large cities trade Is
/ hit severely. Not only that but agri-
culture Is az low ebb. because hun
dreds Of farm lads have left the land
/ for the life OF a soldier, where tho
| pay Is better and entertainment Ear
mere varied. Ireland depends largely
upon the products Of the soil and since
the farms arc going untitled the eco
nomic problems Of the country are
multiplied.
With these facts in mind il Is not
difficult % see why political events are
regarded by the bulk Of the population
as merely new vacations. The people
are longing for chance TO return 10
the old simple life OF industry. Yet Il
/ is no more possible 10 clear the air Of
politics than II is 70 shut OF the air
itself.
De Valera Nen Renomlnatcd
Seventeen men who supported de
/ Valera when the treaty was the great
issue have been renominated without
opposition. OF the ffty-seven who
voted for his reelection a considerable
number are certain 20 be returned in
the election and thus he IL assured Of
fairly strong following in the new
/ Parliament. In this city OF contradic-
tions IL 10 possible 20 find men who
claim that de Valera controls the army
end others who assert that TIE army
controls him. IL makes no difference.
but II is certain that there is still a
powerful republican party In Ireland
and that IL intends 10 press its de-
msnds whichever the decision Of the
/ London conference.
There will be evolutionis,s and revo-
lutionists in the new Parliament and
the chief question Is which will be IN
the majority. Nearly all members will
have q republic as their goal. but they
will differ in their ideas Of how %
reach IL. The pact which Collins and
de Valera made cannot be more than
q temporary arrangement at best.
4 large party Of Americans has just