THE IRISH PROBLEM.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1922, Page 3

THE IRISH PROBLEM.

VUSIKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.

THE FINAL DISCUSSION

(Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 8

Mr McGuinness supporting the Treaty said that as a member of the private members committee which tried to reach an agreement, he could not understand why this committee report should not he allowed to be discussed by the Dail. The committee presented the report which meant that they should allow a free State to take root, and then turn it. down for a Republic. Mr Bruggha, Minister of Defence, winding up the discussion for the rejectionists said, “We have been asked for an authoritative statement defining Collins’ real position in the Ira, what fights he has taken part in and whether he ever fired a single shot at the enemy.” Mr Hr ugh a sneenngly referred to Collins as a man who _ won the war. He was only a subordinate in the Department of Defence, where all worked conscientiously and practically for Ireland without seeking notoriety, except' one. Collins had been singled out by the press and public to put him into a position he bad never held. Whether Collins was responsible for this notoriety and for the romantic atmosphere surrounding him, Brugha could not say. Mr Griffiths, winding up the debate said, “If my name is to go down in history, I want it to be associated with Collin's. He was the man who fought the black terror, until, England was forced to offer terms. The principle 1 have stood on all my life, is the principle of Ireland for the Irish peop e. If I cannot get it with a Republic and if I can get it with a Monarchy, then I will have it with a Monarchy. I will not sacrifice my country on the form of Government.” While the division was being taken by means of a roll call, Mi rl 13 protested that some constituencies were disfranchised a’s members representing two constituencies were only allowed to record one vote. . A tense feeling prevailed during tho division. . . The speaker announced the result in Gaelic, then in English.

POSITION OF REPUBLIC. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, January 8. Dr O’Reilly ’heading a deputation of the Hibernian Australian Catholic Benefit Society handed De Valera an address at Dublin Mansion House, lie said he did not want to discuss tho new situation. AH the Irish leaders were loved in Australasia. 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 had established an Irish republic, so far as human brains and hearts could achieve the free-determina-tion of the Irish people. It would be fought for by men and women of Ireland. They were not going to give up the fight now.

OUTSIDE OPINION. (Received. This Day at 9.0 a..m.) NEW YORK, Jan 8. Reports from various parts of the country indicate deep satisfaction at the ratification of the Irish Treaty. Official Washington opinion expresses relief and pleasure. Chicago Irish, who number many hundreds of thousands are also nearly uniformly satisfied. The Irish nere vary little in the expression of sentiments, but recalcitrant elements while expressing the hope that the fight fo absolute freedom' from Britain will ' e continued, declare they cannot criticise the action of Dail Eireann.

The New York “Herald” in the only paper commenting to-day. It says: “Through the clouds, the sun has broken at last. The acceptance of the Treaty ends, according to all human probabilities, the bitter contest of centuries. There may be discontent here and there due to the activity a comparatively few irreconcilahles, but with the country behind the majority there cannot be a continuing of tho warfare, for dissenters will finfl w*all sympat!" in the outer world.”

DE VALERA’S STATEMENT. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan v . Mr. De Valera said:—“lt will be my duty to resign. Ido not know if I will do it just now. I have to say to the country and to the world, that the Irish people established a Republic aud a. Republic can only be disestablisheu by the Irish people. Therefore until the Irish people in a regular manner disestablish it, this Republican Institution goes on.’’ Mr Griffiths urged the appointment of a Committee representative of both sides, so that they could take over the machinery of Government. He was included.—“ The President has the same position in my heart as he has always had.”

De Valera ignored the appeal. Mr Griffiths repeated his suggestion, saying he did not know if they were to go different ways or not, but they ought to agree to his proposal over the week-end, at all events, so as to preserve order in the country. | De Valera rose, pale and trembling, j and said: “We have had a glorious i record for four years.” Then he broke and the women members cried. A member called for cheers for De Valera and the Republic. These were heartily given and the sitting ended. The Dail meets again on Monday. 1 Mr Griffiths overcome by the intense strain, left the'building leaning on the arm of Collins and Duggan, amid the cheering) of the crowd and some hooting. A POLICE RAID. j LONDON, Jan. 7. The police raided a Republican Army 1 camp numbering 600, near Dromore, s Tyrone, and captured a large quantity of arms and arrested eleven. A large " part of the army fled on arrival of the police.

HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 8.

The .ratification of the Treaty was received in Dublin with general satisfaction, but there were no scenes of boisterous enthusiasm, such as were at the declaration of the truce in July. It is expected that local industries will benefit, and that rebuilding in Central Dublin will recommence. At Strathbane the populace cheered indiscriminately for Griffith Collins, and de Valera. Illuminated tar barrels and hoisted Sinn Fein flags everywhere.

At Cannes, Hon. Lloyd George received the news -of the ratification late at night. He said he was delighted. . M. Briand said: “My fnend Lloyd George is relieved of a tremendous burden. Irejoice with him and the British, people.” Congratulations are showering upon Lloyd George.

DE VALERA TIRED. 'Received This Day at 10. lb a.nn) .LONDON, January /.

The close of yesterday’s debate in the Dail Eireann was marked by an outburst from de Valera who declared he was so sick and tired of politics that no matter what happens I have decided to return to private life. In order to end the political manoeuvring de Valera agreed that the debate bo continued on the straight issue of ratification ’of the treaty. A further scene was caused by a priest exclaiming—l am Columba and have come here on a divine mission. While Irish Republic soldiers were ejecting him, the Priest exclaimedJoan of Arc was treated the same way.