Show SINN FEIN CLAIMS VICTORY IN LOCAL ELECTIONS First City Contests Since War Bring Excitement in Ireland DUBLIN Jan 15 With With the Sinn Fein Fein leaders confidently predicting victory ry the first local elections since the beginning of the war are being held throughout Ireland Ireland today Prof Proto Eamonn amonn de Valera president president president dent of ot the Irish republic who is in inthe Inthe in inthe the United States on a a propaganda tour sent an appeal to the Sinn Fein Fein- era from Washington to roll up a big vote It came cam through Arthur Griffith Griffith Grif Grif- vice president of ot the Sinn Fein Feln organization The prospect of disorders at the polls led the British military authorities authorities authorities ties to ta take e extra precautions especially especially especially espe espe- in the districts where the Sinn have been active lately Gately atel Interest In the municipal elections is not only at fever heat throughout t the length and breadth of or Ireland reland but throughout all the British Isles The result will be regarded as a barometer of ot Sinn Fein strength The labor party is expected to play an important role Newspapers commenting upon the situation have admitted the strength of the republican party and point out that republican sympathies have undoubtedly uri un un undoubtedly been spreading through the ranks of ot the royal Irish constabulary Early in the afternoon the Sinn claimed to have swept this city Cork Limerick and Waterford The voting was heavy I IThe The returns will not be officially announced for a week I |