Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-01-13
Proclamation Issued

Dublin, Jan. 1.-THE kings pro
clamation Of Amnesty announcement
Of the departure Of the auxiliaries and
the resolution IT the Sim Fein execu
tive council. to summon an extraor-
binary convention for February Z. to
decide. upon the future Of the or
%ganization and it's policy, after canon
de Valera had predicted a split in the
organization, were the chief develop
nents in the Irish situation today.
Behind the Dali Eireann stands tn
Sim Fein organization OF nearly 1900
clubs from every district in Ireland.
It is responsible for the success OF
parlia mentary and other elections and
il regarded as the authentic popular
voice by all Sim Feiners. De Valera
is still its president. and all its ma
chinery heretofore has been directed
publican aims.
Opposition Recognized
The morning session Of the .execu-
tive body of the Sim Fein was de-
voted to the election of a standing
all routine work of organizing. The
election did not follow strict party
lines, but its membership will be can
vassed throughout the country tomor-
row, to ascertain where its influence
will be used for or against the sup
porters of the treaty.
Mr.. De Valera frankly faces the
situation. recognizing at the outset
that within the organization there
were W. opposing forces, for and
against the treaty. His idea was to
secur a sort Of temporary working
arrangement as a basis for support
ing the Dali cabinet, while that body
was acting in its capacity as authoriz-
ed by the Republican government: He
expressed h hope that there will be
no bitterness, and left the matter to
the executive to debate.
People Should Decide
The executive. through the numer-
GUS delegates declared that the final
decision regarding the future of the
organization must rest with the peo-
pie n it was proposed and carried
that the whole question should be
discussed not by the executive body
merely. but by a general convention
composed Of 5000 delegates to be held
in the mansion house or February I.
Mr.. DeValera was pressed to admit
that when the convention had de-
cided the minority would be bound
by the majority. but he declared il
wa his opinion that a division wa.
inevitable and that each side woulG
fight the other at the election for &
free state. If the organization FAY
ored the election of representatives tt
a free state. he would not continue tt
be president. and would oppose sucl
candidates. He indicated that the
electoral activities Of himself and hi:
friends would begin Immediately.
In tho Doyt fOrtpiphf in ovaPy mar
of Ireland and in every Sim Fein club
an animated debate will be carried OF
for and against tho treaty.
Since the clubs must meet special,
for the purpose of electing delegate.
to the convention, this will be tn.
nearest approach to a referendum o,
the entire Sim Fem element of thu
population that is practicable in tn
present circumstances.
The transfer of the functions of tn,
various departments of Dublin Castle
which is expected Immediately ate,
ratification by the southern parlia
rnent on Saturday. will probably b.
effected without the presence Of ST.
Hamar Greenwood, chief s~ecretary<fo,
Ireland. who will likely remain il
London.
The amnesty proclamation occupie
"A prominent position in the Dubli1
papers and has been the cause o
great satisfaction. 1t had been fearet
that attempts might be made to dis
criminate between one political pris
oner and another. Uut the sweepinl
character Of the amnesty allays sucl
apprehension.
Only one difficulty remains. At on
stage there were incendiary fires il
disturbances in England for which al
legged Sim Feiners were convicted
~ ~ @@o~ ~0+ %L>~
1t is understood that their case vii
remain over for discussion betwee,
the British government and the gov
of the new free state.