The Washington herald., 1922-01-10
Bitter Debate and Threat
Of Suicide Mark Scene
In Dali Eireann.
PROMISES NOT .
TO INTERFERE
Retiring President Amid
Ovation Denies Attempt
To Wreck the Treaty.

Dali Eireann. A two-vute majority
by which he was defeated for re-
election to the presidency of the
republic" today makes his defeat
no less bitter than the rebuke ad-
ministered to his policies through
the passage of the Irish peace
treaty, for he had looked at least
for support on the grounds of his
De Valera's defeat came at the
close OF the usual bitter debate, in
which 1t was charged that the mi
nority were attempting to elect tho
president and cabinet, retaining the
reins of government. and control
ling the funds and the army.
The president himself denied that
he sought control of the Dali on be-
half of the minority. and was back
ed by Austen Stack. his minister of
home affairs. who urged his re-elec-
ton pending referendum of the
Irish people.
Threat of Suicide.
He is the biggest man in Eu-
rope" Stack said dramatically. "and
il he leaves the Dali. shall be
ready to commit suicide"
I'm opposing De Valera" said
Micky Collins, II am doing him
greater service than those who
nominated him. II the president is
reelected. / shall go to my con-
stituents and ask them to elect a
representative who can carry on
l have done my utmost"
When the result of the vote was
announced, Arthur Grifith told the
Dali Eireann that this could not be
considered vote against De Va
lera personally. and the entire Dali
rose to give the defeated presiden,
an ovation.
Il consented to this candidacy"
De Valera announced, because ]
thought that was the best way.
Don't talk nonsense about fratri-
cide. There won't be anything like
that. You will need us yet, and VIC
will ne there to help you against
the outside enemy
In the meantime you must re-
gard us as an auxiliary army with
our objective the independence of
ireland.
We feel that you signed docu-
ment that you cannot keep, but we
won't interfere"
"Attempt to Wreck Treaty.
Nobody wants to vote against
Eamonn De Valera" said Griffith in
The course of the debate that pre-
ceded the vote, but he is being
used to get around the treaty. De
Valera had no need to resign. His
SsiSnation and his candidacy were
simply attempts to wreck the
| treaty"
Explaining the attitude of the De
Valera followers. Minister of De-
tense Burgess told the Dali: You
treaty followers can go ahead and
carry out the treaty. We won't CO.
orcrate, but we will not interfere. -
The Dali Eireann adjourned with
out forming new government. and
thus the situation in Dublin be-
comes more complicated than ever
The Collins Griffith faction, instead
OF forcing an immediate election to
the presidency Of the theoretical
republic, decided to await De Val
era's next move before forcing the
issue \ new election may be
called in Tuesdays session.
De Valera, on the strength OF
his popularity. had hoped to return
to the leadership and thus force
the treaty supporters out of the
Dali Eireann to form a new party
of their own. Instead, he is faced
with the choice of withdrawing him
self from the Dali and setting up a
new republic" of his own, with the
backing of those who have fought
tie treaty through its stormy pas
sage in the Irish parliament
Refusal of Cooperation.
The efforts of Collins and Grif.
fith have been entirely conciliatory
Collins declared that the time fol
talking was over, and that the ne.
cessity OF forming governmen,
was now paramount. He urged the
cooperation of the De Valera fac.
ton in the new government. but
was met only by. cold refusal BY
the former president.
In view of the vote on the peac,
treaty which tends to subvert tbs
republic" said De Valera in hi.
address Of resignation. 81 can con-
tinue no longer. l resign, and with
me goes the cabinet"
Collins Immediately jumped to his
feet and suggested the formation OF
a joint committee from both fac
tions to continue the work Ds
| Valera replied by refusing to c.,-
operate and demanded an immedi.
ate election of new officers. where
upon he was himself nominated bv
Mrs. Clarke, over the protests OF
several members of the Dali.
On the final vote. De Valera was
found to have been defeated, 6t
to 5S.
| O'Kelly. whip for the De Valera
party. urged that the republican
organization be maintained until
we are assured that England will
keep her promises"
I'VE will fight IL she doesn't
| Micky Collins, McKeown and other
members declared.
| The treaty leaders will not an
| nounce their plan Of procedure un'
til De Valera has signified his in.
| tentions. 1t is wholly possible tina,
before the whole parliamentary
tangle Is solved. general Irisf
election based fatty on acceptance
or rejection Of the treaty may bs