The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-02-24
Sim FEIN BARS
SPLIT ON PACT
3 Year Delay In Election
Proposed;To Await
= Developments.

over the Anglo-Irish treaty will be
avoided. The Ard Fheis, national
Sim Fem convention, which met at
the mansion house today to define
the attitude of the Sim Fem clubs
on the treaty, whether for a free
state or a republic, adjourned until
tomorrow with instructions to the
leaders of the two parties TO come to-
gether and devise a plan to keep the
Sim Fein organization united.
The unexpected outcome was due
to the direct initiative of the meeting
in general and was not prompted by
the leaders. After Eamonn de
Valera had presented a resolution
pledging adherence to the constitu-
ton adopted by the Ard Fheis in
1917. looking to international re-
cognition of Ireland as an indepen-
dent republic" and stated his obJec-
tions to the treaty on republican prln-
ciples. the debate, unlike the discus
sion in the Dali Eireann, did not set
tie down into an examination of the
merits and dement's of the treaty.
Arthur Griffith, president of the
Dali Ereann, replying. to Mr.. De
Valera. reasserted that the treaty
gave Ireland the opportunity it
needed.
Cheers from both sides greeted
the suggestion of Father Gaynor an
influential member of the standing
committee, composed of bottle sup
porters and opponents of the treaty,
for a three-years' postponement OF
the elections and proved that the
sentiment of the convention was for
unity in the organization in view of
possible eventualities and that 1t
should not be difficult for Mr.. DE
Valera and Mr.. Griffith to reach an
ARRANGEMENT avoiding disruption of
the organization on which Ireland,
in the case of breach between the
British ministers and Ireland, might
be compelled to rely.
De Valera argued that elections at
present would be unfair because the
Irish people would have only the
vaguest idea of what they were Of
fered in exchange for the republic
Michael Collins did his best to meet
this objection and indicated that he
did not desire that the elections be
rushed but was unable to give q
guarantee against elections. He
pointed out that so long as the cleo
tons were delayed it was open te
the supporters of De Valera to de-
feat the provisional government II
the Dali Eireann and that defeat by
even one vote on minor point woulc
compel the government to resign.
Mr.. Griffith emphasized the same
points and charged De Valera was
trying to avoid decision by th'
people. De Valera resented this anc
meeting the objection of Collins and
Griffith that they could not guaran
tee that Mr.. Lloyd George would no
force elections, contended that NJ
elections could b. held without tho
sanction of the Dali Eireann and th'
army.
SUBSEQUENT speakers reinforced tint
plea that the leaders should endea
yor to avoid a split, the most nota
BILE being priests, who, without ex
ception took this line. The matte
finally was settled by the interven
ton of Richard Mulcahy, minister o
defense and head of the army. Mr.
Mulcahy framed a resolution direct
ing that the leaders meet tonight an'
seek basis of agreement for sub
mission tomorrow.
Several leading members OF bot
sides. questioned later, expressed
doubt as to the possibility of accom-
mediation. Mr. Collins, however
was strongly of the opinion, whicl
he voiced forcibly, that the situation
would so improve that three month
hence united decisions impossibi
now, might, then be reached,
Despite the long-drawn out and ar
duous session in the cold and draugh
hall, the general tone of the conven
tion was Unexpectedly harmonious
1t is unquestioned that the rank an
file are earnestly DESTROYS to proven
split and every move toward tn
! continuation Of unity was hearth
applauded. Just before adjournment
both Mr.. De Valera and Mr.. Collin
admitted they had entered the NEE
ing believing a compromise was i'm