DAIL EIREANN.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1921, Page 2

DAIL EIREANN.

A PUBLIC SESSION. (Received This Day at 8 30 a.m.) LONDON December 19th. The public* session of the Dail Eireann was resumed. De Valera’s alternative proposals, in which he failed to secure the unanimous approval of the secret session were laid before the Assembly. Mr Collins demanded that all documents should he published. Even if lie were in a minority of one, lie would refuse to regard the document as confidential, and would tell the Irish people what it contained. Air Griffiths moved the ratification of the Treaty. He said the only difference between Sinn Feiners was the quibble over the King’s recognition, Imt not a single Irish life should he sacrificed for the alternative scheme. Every mini with a scrap of honour would stand hv the Treaty. Air De Valera declared the Treaty did not reconcile Ireland’s national aspirations with the British Cotnmonvealtli. It was signed under duress and threats of a renewal of War. The Treaty was the most ignoble that could be signed. It recognised the British Government’s authority in Ireland. fie would rather that Irishmen should remain slaves than consent to the Treaty. LONDON, Dec. 19. De Valera said he would propound his own policy which differed from the alternative discussed at the secret session. The Speaker ruled the discussion out of order. Air Griffiths, mover cf the Ratification of the Treaty, explained the circumstances under which he went to the conference. He said the task was as hard a one as could Ixv placed on the shoulders of men. Not a life of one young Irishman should he lost for tlq. alternative policy. This was the first treaty signed by the Irish Government with the English Government for centuries. It v. as the first treaty that admitted equality of Ireland and for that cause lie would stand by it. Every man with a scrap of honour who signed the document, was going to stand by it. Every efiort was being made outside to represent- tiiat certain men stood uncompromisingly for Ireland’s full demands, while others like Collins’ comprised Ireland’s right. The difference between them was a quibble about the recognition of tile King. It was for this they wer cashed t<j throw away the Treaty and go back to war, the alternative proposal. It meant that Ireland would he half out of the British Empire, whereas under tlq. Treaty they would go in with their heads -up. If tliev rejected the Treaty and went to war again, Ireland would be fighting against the sympathy of the world. Commandant IATt-Kion, the blacksmith of Ballinaloa, seconded the motion.

He A alera. in asking the l)ail Eireann not to approve of the Treaty asked:— “l)id the Irish people think they were bars, when they ratified by their votes the creation of the Irish Republic.” He made his request, not because he was a man of war, but a man of jjeace. The Treaty would endi the centuries of conflict. Lloyd George with his Treaty was going to do with Ireland what I’itt did with the Act of Union. That Treaty was signed under duress and a threat of it renewal of war.

LONDON, Dec. 19. De Valera continued—The Irish nation would not resjH'ct the Treaty and tlie nation would never have peace. This treaty was the most ignoble that could he signed. It recognised the British Government’s authority in Ireland, and was absolutely inconsistent with their position. They would he acting in the best interests of Ireland by rejecting it, as it would not lead to a lasting peace. They knew perfectly well, who ever set it up, that the Provisional Government in Ireland would he looked upon as surrender, equal with Dublin Castle, as it had been in the past. He agreed that the plenipotentaries were guided by a love of Ireland in signing, but he would rather the lri.-b remain slaves to the end of time than consent to the document.