The New York herald., 1922-02-15
COLLINS RESENTS
CHARGE OF BARGAIN
Denies There Was Any Agree.
ment Except the Treaty.

Spcciut CuOfS 10 IHE NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1922, by THE NEW York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau
Dublin. Feb. IA.
Zealously parrying all thrusts likely
to embarrass the Irish Free State
Michael Collins to-day answered John
Dewey, editor of the Gaelic American Of
New York, and then left for London to
investigate the reasons for the cessation
of the evacuation of Dublin troops from
"the Republic of Ireland" He also
published to-day Robert c. Barton's
treaty revelations.
Dewey. according the statement of the
Provisional Governments publicity de-
partment circulated to-day, published an
article in the Gaelic American of New
York suggesting that the Irish delega-
zion which went to London made pri-
vate bargain with Premier Lloyd George
whereby upon the achievement of peace
the Irish Government would encourage
Irishmen in America to work for the
benefit of England. Collins cabled a
flat denial of this to Dewey. saying ::
You are entirely wrong in thinking that
there is or was any private bargain
The treaty as 1t stands is absolutely the
only agreement reached"
The message also answers some COM
ments on articles which Collins has
written at various times. especially In
reference to Ireland's joining the League
of Nations. Collins says that while Ire
lands application has not yet been made.
she was given this right in the treaty
to show how completely Ireland's inde-
pendent state could be acknowledged.
Whether Collins-in London-will un-
veil a plot against the Free State in
connection with the stopping of the troop
evacuation or not, there Is grave fear
here that the cessation might be signal
for an outbreak of shooting In the south
leading to an overt act which VIII give
an excuse for the troops to remain per-
manently The Provisionalists, however,
apparently believe that Mr.. Lloyd
George is sincere and expect that crisis
will be avoided.
Bartons article. which is taken as a
reply to Collins's statement. purpoIts to
give the real version Of the inside story
that the Dali delegates signed the Lon
don treaty under duress. Its principal
addition to the already available knowl-
edge is the statement that on the morn
ing before the treaty was signed Diffy
and Childers drafted memorandum or
a counter proposal for presentation to
the British Cabinet which Collins. Grif-
fifth and Duncan refused to present
They declared, according 20 Barton, that
such counter proposals meant that there
would obviously be break with the
British. Barton and Duffy decided
nevertheless TO present it and Griffith
joined them, pledging not to press 1t to
the breaking point.
Barton, Duffy and Griffith thereupon
presented the counter proposals to the
British, though not pressing the demand
to the limit. Barton says that these
propositions afterward became the basis
for De Valera's document which was
submitted to the Dali Eireann. the diff
ference between which and the treaty
Griffith describes as a quibble of words.
Barton also reveals that Griffith, Col
Inns and Duncan spent two and half
hours persuading him and Duffy to sign
the London pact.
In addition to Collins's other troubles
there is famine which is causing sew
eral thousand to suffer. The provisional
Government announced to-day that re-
lief work is under way in which several
hundred men are engaged and that seeds
are being shipped to prevent the recur-
renee of famine.
DUBLIN, Feb. IA ASSOCIATED Press)-
The Sim Fein convention has been def
initely fixed for February 81. Estimates
of the voting based on the election OF
delegates give a majority to the Free
Staters. To alter the Constitution from
strict Republicanism, which Eamon de
Valera desires to maintain, however.
will require a two-thirds majority, and
It Is considered doubtful whether this
can be obtained.
Mr.. Churchill's statement that owen
O'Duffy, Chief of Staff OF the Irish Re-
publican Army. had been sent to Clones
by the provisional Government is de-
scribed as inaccurate In an official COM
munication issued by the Irish Republi-
can army headquarters, which declares
that II the officers of that army had
been notified through the usual channel
that special constables were travelling
through that territory the tragic occur