The New York herald., 1922-02-22
SINN FEN VERTS SPLIT,
ADJOURNING UNTIL TODAY

of the army, carries great weight. He
framed a resolution directing that the
leaders meet tonight and seek basis
Of agreement for submission to the con
vention tomorrow.
The main resolution, introduced by
Mr.. de Valera, reafflrmlng the repub-
lican position, was reached for consid-
GRAFTON at l o'clock. Mr., de Valera,
speaking in its support, said different
views We're held as TO whether or not
the London treaty was in accordance
with the constitution. on liberal read
ing of the document IL certainly was
against the constitution. which de-
manded recognition of the Irish Re
public, but they could change the
constitution by a two-thirds majority.
He wanted to be fair: hence, instead of
a resolution which demanded a two
thirds majority. his resolution left them
free. He said he believed it would
have been better had the Dali Elreann,
like the United States Senate. required
the sanction OF more than a bare ma
jority He had faith in the Irish ma
ton. and no matter what was done to-
day Ireland would be free.
He said the Irlsn were threatened with
Immediate terrible war. but he would
rather see Ireland flooded with British
troops than to assent to an irrevocable
act which gave them the right to be
there. 1t was the element of acquies-
cence contained in the treaty that made
it impossible for him to accept.
He declared even this assembly could
not disestabish the republic, which
could only be disestablished by a vote
Of the Irish people similar to the vote
which established 1t. 1t was said that
the organization was bound to support
the Dali Eireann, he continued, but the
Dail's breach of its contract with the
people was not its legitimate function,
and the Ard Fhes was not bound to
support It.
He declared Canada and South
Africa would not accept for themselves
the status given TO Ireland by the
treaty Ireland was a mother country
and never would consent to be made an
illegitimate daughter. He would rather
be Unionist than accept the status OF
the treaty. for the Unionists stood Tor
equality.
When Mr.. Griffith arose he was loudly
cheered. He moved an amendment Ia
the resolution declaring that the peace
treaty was full justified by the SIM
Fein constitution ana that the Ard Fhels
should support the Dali Eireann. q
which it owed allegiance. What Irelan !
had been fighting about for 700 years
was not crowns, or symbols Of crownH,
but to get back Ireland for the Irish
The treaty was the first instrument
which gave them that power.
If England was still in Ireland 1t was
because of the opponents of the treaty
He did not complain of criticism OF the
treaty, but it should be examined on Its
merits as the first treaty between Eng
land and Ireland.
Mr.. Griffith agreed that the treaty de-
stroyed the act Of union which empow-
cred the Irish people TO rebuild the Irish
nation as Gaelic state. The fact that
Ireland was not England's equal in ply
steal power had TO be faced and wher
he went to London he had warned Mr.
De Valera that he could not bring back
republic. But he had got something
which could be submitted to a vote OF
the Irish people. He advised the people
10 accept the treaty as best for the
country. The treaty gave power tc
abolish Irish poverty and deal directly
with social problems.
The treaty, he continued, gave ireland
substantial unity, subject to listers
right to vote herself out. but Ulster
would not be allowed to coerce those
wishing to come under the Irish ma.
tion. He hoped, however. for the Co
operation OF the Ulster Unionists. H
wanted unity in Ireland and peace WITH