THE NEW REBELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17985, 10 January 1922, Page 5

THE NEW REBELS.

IMPLACABLE MINORITY.

DE VALERA'S THREAT.

FIGHT TO CONTINUE.

RATIFICATION NOT LEGAL. By Telegraph-Presa Association-Copyright. (Ecceived 5.30 p.m.) A and N.Z. DUBLIN, Jan. 8. Dr. O'Reilly, formerly Artfibishop of Adelaide, heading a deputation from the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society, handed Mr. dc Valera an address at the Dublin Mansion House. Dr. O'Reilly said he did not want to discuss the new situation. All the Irish leaders were loved in Australia. Mr. de Valera replied that the republic and its sovereign Parliament still existed. The resolution recommending the ratification of a certain treaty was not legal, and would be flouted until the Irish people disestablished the Irish republic. So far as human brains and hearts could achieve the free self-determination of the Irish people, it would be fought for by the men and women of Ireland. They were not going to give up the fight now. Mr. de Valera asked Dr. O'Reilly to inform Australia that the heart of the Irish peopla was as republican as it was a month ago. A wonderful opportunity of securing a lasting peace had been definitely lost. His own work toward that aim had been brutally turned down. Therefore the fight had to continue. All members of Mr. de Valera's party attended the presentation, which waa private. An analysis of the voting in the Dail shows that if the members had voted by constituencies, the majority for ratification would have been 12 instead of seven. The newspapers, while welcoming the decision, emphasise the baffling uncertainties ahead, in view of the implacable hostility of Mr. de Valera and his supporters. They interpret Mr. de Valera's declaration to the Australian Hibernians as inferring determination to offer more than constitutional opposition to the ratificationist Ministry. Some correspondents report that there is grave danger of a split in the republican army, that may result in warfare. Nevertheless, the British Government intends to leave nothing undone in the direction o,f expediting complete fulfilment of the treaty terms. The Irish Committee of the Cabinet to-day begins preparations for the military evacuation of Ireland, a general amnesty, and the transfer of executive powers. The news of the ratification of the treaty was received with general satisfac- j tion in Dublin, but there were no scenes; of boisterous enthusiasm such as marked, the declaration of the truce in July. It is expected that the loca] industries will benefit, and the rebuilding of Central Dublin will recommence. At Strathbane, in County Tyrone, Ulster, the populace cheered indiscrimir.ately for Griffith, Collins, and De Valera, lit tar barrels, and hoisted Sinn Fein flags everywhere. Cardinal Logue made a statement today that the treaty was a necessity to Ireland, and all the people wanted it. The Bishop of Down thought the victory of the moderates offered a hopeful opportunity of uniting Ireland. While not enamoured of the treaty, he accepted the Dail's decision, and hoped it would lead to all classes and creeds living together fraternally.